Page 22 of The Owner's Temptation

I glance at my phone, pulling up my bank app. My second paycheck hit today, and the first thing I did was pay off one of my credit cards.

One down. Two more to go.

I paid my rent and added to my savings without even batting an eye and there is still plenty of money left for the week ahead.

I take a deep breath, staring at the numbers. The relief is undeniable.

If I just stick this out a few more weeks, I could have everything wiped clean.

Harper is back from vacation, looking ridiculously tan and far too pleased with herself when she plops down on my couch.

“So…” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Did you miss me, or were you too busy sexting your Italian-situationship, Adriano?”

Harper rolls her eyes, but the smile she tries to fight is telling.

“Oh, please.” She waves me off, pretending she’s completely unbothered—but I see the way she fidgets. “We were just talking. You know, casual. A little light conversation.”

I narrow my eyes. “Uh-huh. Light conversation.”

She sighs dramatically, then finally admits the truth.

“Fine. Maybe Adriano texted me the entire time I was gone. And I might have replied… frequently.”

I grin. “Mmm-hmm. You like him.”

“He’s hot.” She takes a dramatic sip of her coffee. “He’s temporary fun. I’m not looking for a boyfriend anyhow. You know this.”

I raise a brow. “Suuure. And does your temporary fun know that? Because it kind of sounds like he wants to see you again.”

Harper glares, but she can’t hide the truth.

She’s smiling.

Not her usual predatory, man-eating smirk—a real, soft, I-might-actually-like-this-guy smile.

And I love it.

I lean forward, teasing. “It’s okay to admit you have a heart in there, Harper. I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”

She snorts, flipping me off before shoving her sunglasses back onto her face.

“Shut up and let’s talk about getting to the second item on your to-do list.”

I laugh, shaking my head.

She puts her hand up like a fake notepad and mimes holding a pen with the other.

“You were to have a job. Check.”

“That’s a partial check. For now, only.”

“Sure, sure. We’ll be sure to make a note of that.” She pretends to push up some nonexistent glasses before getting back to her pretend list. “So looks like all we have now is… ah, sex club time.”

I grin, but my cheeks warm instantly. “So, about that…”

Harper arches an accusing brow at me. “If you went without me already, Sienna, so help me?—”

I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “No! No, I swear.”

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