Page 53 of Devilry

“Definitely older,” Miles answers. “It would explain your take no shit attitude.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she says dryly.

“It is,” he says, surprising me. Harper focuses on him, a mixture of confusion and curiosity on her face.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He shakes his index finger in front of her face. “You don’t get to where you are without big fucking balls. I know it’s not easy for women to assert their authority and be acknowledged appropriately. But your job here is proof you’ve earned it.”

Harper swallows, the apples of her cheeks reddening. “Thank you.”

He gives her a quick nod before taking a sip of his beer. “But on a serious note,” he continues. “How the fuck did you bring anyone home to meet four brothers?”

“I think the fact I’m single answers that question.”

The three of us laugh, picturing a young Harper getting into it with four older brothers.

“So, your mystery girl,” Harper presses, trying to corner Miles again.

“Will remain a mystery.”

He isn’t as heated when he answers her, a little more resigned.

“So, there is someone?” I pry.

“Please don’t ask me questions.” A humorless laugh leaves his mouth. “I’m in way over my head with this.”

His words make me think of how desperate I was to talk to anyone about Elijah while I was away. I could’ve told Meghann, but she would’ve been my voice of reason. The person to tell me I was wrong, or stupid, when all I really needed was someone who would shut up and listen. The puzzled expression on his face makes me empathize with how crazy Miles must be feeling trying to sort through his own stuff.

“What about you, Cole?” Harper asks, turning her focus on to me. “Did you hook up with anyone when you went back home?”

“Do we really need to be doing this? Miles and I aren’t asking you about your sex life.”

“Doth protest too much,” Harper quotes, looking at Miles.

“He’s guilty,” Miles says, encouraging her. “I would know.”

“I did not hook up with anyone. I don’t like to fall back into bad habits.”

“Oh right,” Harper quips, like she’s just remembered something. “He’s the commitment phobe out of the three of us.”

“I am not. I just haven’t found the right one.”

“Trust me, you do not want to end up with the wrong one,” Miles says, speaking from experience. “If it doesn’t hurt to walk away from them, then they’re not the one.”

“Was it easy to walk away?” I ask.

“I didn’t have a choice. Leaving was her decision.” His voice picks up. “That’s neither here nor there. I’m just saying, the thought of leaving my ex-wife before we were married, would’ve killed me. But when she walked away last year, the feeling was nowhere near the same.”

“And what, you believe because she wasn’tthe one, you were spared heartache?”

“I didn’t say there was no heartache, but it would’ve been worse if we were meant to be forever.”

“It’s warped,” Harper says, mulling it over. “But he kind of makes sense.”

Harper raises her glass for us to cheers her. “Who would’ve known our Miles was a hopeless romantic?”

“Could it be the new mystery woman?” I joke, clinking our drinks together.

Miles glares at us both. “Shut up.”

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