Page 100 of His Secret Gift

“I guess not.”

We just sit there in silence for a few moments before she heads over and rummages through the mini bar for herself.

“Harper, your drink is still full.”

She looks up at me, and her beautiful, soulful brown eyes peer up at me. “No, it’s for you, silly.”

I sigh. “I already said I’m not drinking tonight.”

“You should at least have some soda.”

Then, I watch as she pours some in a glass and then gets some ice, with her back turned to me.

“Wait a minute. I’ll be right back.”

She disappears for a few minutes before coming back with a little tray of cherries. I assume she got them from the bar.

“That’s better.” She pops a few stems off before putting the fruit in my beverage. Then, I watch as she ties one with her tongue. When she’s finished, she sets it in my hand and chuckles.

I resist rolling my eyes and throw it in the trash.

She hands me the actual drink, and I thank her for it. But although I accept it, I don’t necessarily plan on drinking any of it. I’m not the biggest fan of soda if it isn’t mixed with alcohol.

When she sits back down on the couch, I sit on the other side. “So, where are you off to next, Harper?”

After taking a sip, she answers, “I’m not sure.”

“Well, are you going to get a job on another yacht?”

She gasps. “Speaking of that, Jenkins let it slip that you’re afraid of flying, and that’s why you sail everywhere.”

I feel a pit in my stomach. “He did?”

She nods.

Fuck.I hope to god Kayla doesn’t see me any differently after that. “What—what was everyone’s reaction?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone was surprised. Why else would a billionaire who travels as much as you do have a yachtinstead of your own plane. It doesn’t really make sense without knowing about your phobia. What’s it called again?”

“Aerophobia.” I know because my mother tried her best to get me treated through therapy when I was a kid, but nothing stuck. Everything from being in an airport, boarding the plane, and being up in the air made me panic to the point where I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“That’s right. Poor Jacky.” She’s pouting her red lips again, and I’m not a fan.

“Yeah, well. I found a way around it.”

She spins to face me, sitting on one of her legs. This causes the slit in her dress to open wide between her legs, and I make a conscious effort not to look down. She’s already acting oddly enough. I don’t need her getting the wrong idea.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” I think to ask.

She grimaces. “No. Why are you?”

“Actually, yeah. It’s new. But I have a good feeling about it.”

“Oh.” Her face falls even more. She sniffles before tipping the glass in the air again. “Who is she?”

Oh, hell no. I feel safe telling you about her, but I’m not going to reveal her to you.Lord knows what Harper is capable of.

“It doesn’t matter.” And it doesn’t. Not to her, at least.

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