Page 53 of Love on Ice

“As a player not as his daughter’s date,” I argue back.

“Parents love me,” Felix adds.

I roll my eyes at him. “This doesn’t include you,” I bark at Felix.

“Kind of does,” he argues back.

“Fuck you all. I’m not doing this,” I yell at all of them.

“Harper, stop being so fucking stubborn. You’re going to need a date for Mom’s gala, you might as well take Felix. At least we know he can protect you.”Screw you, Sam.“All of New York society is going to be there, and you know what they are like. This will shut up the gossips.” I glare at him.

“Felix told me you two had fun together as friends on the island, just think of it as an extension of that,” Issy adds. My mouth falls open at her comment, and Felix sniggers in the corner.

“That was then, this is now. Felix betrayed me and I will not have anything to do with him,” I declare to the room angrily. “Have you all lost your minds?”

“Harper,” my brother yells at me.

“I think everyone needs to get out,” I yell at them.

“We’re looking out for you,” Sam argues.

“Come on, guys,” Kimmy says, dragging everyone out of my home.

As soon as I hear the door click shut, I can breathe again. My friends and brother have lost their minds. This is bullshit. I do not need a babysitter, let alone a fake boyfriend, especially not Felix St. Pierre.

“Harper.” I whirl around and see Felix standing there.

“Get the hell out of my home,” I scream at him.

“Not until you listen to me.”

“No,” I argue.

“Yes.”

“You betrayed me,” I say as I start to pace around the room, trying to stem my tears.

“I know and I’m sorry,” he states, which surprises me, making me stop.

“I told you things that I never told people before. You promised me I could trust you. I can’t.”

“I was trying to protect you,” he argues.

“Like I’ve said, I don’t need your protection, Felix. I’m not yours to protect,” I yell at him.

“Maybe I want you to be,” he says softly.

His confession hits me like a train. “I think it’s best that you leave.”

“Harper … I …”

“Please leave.”

Felix’s shoulders slump as he lets out a deep sigh. “I was trying to help,” he says as he reaches the door. I don’t respond. He reluctantly opens the door and slams it behind him.

19

HARPER

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