Harper


    55 vouchers


    Kate was in some sexy heels and a tight dress that was so short that it almost looked like a shirt.


    “Ugh! Still here?‘ She rolled her eyes, cing her purse on the counter. “Put on some clothes and leave. Time’s up.”


    “What?”


    “Don’t tell me you’ve gone deaf. Maddox and I have ns this afternoon.” She raked her fingers through her hair like it wasn’t well done.


    Sliding off my seat, I said, “ns? He didn’t tell me anything.”


    She sneered. “Why would he tell you when you’re nothing special to him?”


    “And


    you


    are?” I crossed my arms.


    She shot me a re, then sneered again. “You’re so pathetic, Harper. Coming all the way here after your n backfired just so you can get back at Tiffany? Newssh, it doesn’t fucking matter anymore! She has the man of your dreams and is happily pregnant!”


    Her words stung, but I wasn’t about to let it get to me.


    “You know, I’m actually d you’re here.” I took a few steps forward with my head high. “You’ve been stalking me, trying to find some dirt on me as payback for how you weren’t the one who ended up with Maddox on the night of his birthday. You went as far as covering up Tiffany’s infidelity just to paint me as this obsessed stalker. Whatever pictures you took of me, you saw her with Josh, <i>too</i>. It’s actually sad that you’re still ‘that‘ girl.”


    Her mouth twitched with a forced smile, like she was mustering aeback and I waited. I wanted to hear it.


    “So what if I ride hard for my best friend?” she bragged,


    I chuckled in disbelief. That was it?


    “Best friend, huh?” I thoughtfully nced at the ceiling before looking back at her. “Hasn’t she benefitted more from you than you have from her? You’ve been covering up for her for years, even when she’s not cheating. You’ve even taken the fall for her in the past when you didn’t have to. Does it make you feel good that you hold the best friend title in her life? That’s not friendship, that’s just desperation to stay within her circle. She only keeps you around because she has use for you.”


    “Don’t talk about shit you don’t know.” She gritted her teeth.


    <b>35 </b>


    <b>B </b>55 vouchers


    “Hmm…” I tilted my head. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a time when you said no to her. You’ve always said yes. Haven’t you ever wondered what would happen if you said no a-<b>” </b>


    “Just shut the fuck up! That’s none of your business!”


    Her voice cracked even when it was so loud and I flinched a little. I didn’t think I’d get to her like that.


    “What’s going on here?” Maddox said, making his way to the mini bar.


    I jerked my head in his direction and there he was, shirtless and drenched in sweat with an empty water bottle.


    I thought I’d just tell him I was leaving since Kate had now arrived, but no, I chose not <i>to</i>. I stood in ce, a hand on my hip as I watched his bodynguage.


    “Even when I told you not to show upst time, you still did,” he said to her, his tone with a hint of irritation.


    She giggled as she seductively approached him. “Come on, Maddox. We both know that sometimes, that just means you’re ying hard to get.”


    She was just about to throw her arms around him when he stepped to the side and headed right towards me.


    “I had no idea Kate wasing,” he said to me with a heavy sigh.


    She burst intoughter from behind. “No need to exin anything to this loser.”


    His jaw clenched, like he was about to say something to her, but instead, he smirked at me and said, “Wanna taste just how sweaty I am?”


    “What?” I blinked.


    He suddenly pinned me against the counter and smashed his lips on mine, his hand cupping the side of my face. It was slow and sensual, making me melt into the kiss even with the taste


    of his sweat.


    Even as he pulled away, his gaze was still on my lips.


    “See what I mean?” His voice was quiet.


    My lips parted in shock and it wasn’t even because I knew Kate was watching us.


    “Already had breakfast?” he asked me.


    :


    “Not yet and I’m starving.” My lips curved into a smile.


    35


    <b>55 </b>vouchers


    “That makes the two of us.” He then looked back at Kate. “You can also grab a bite if you want.”


    “No thanks. I’m not hungry. I was just leaving.” She smiled, looking at the ceiling while blinking hard, like she was trying not to cry.


    “In that case, safe flight back home,” he casually said to her.


    “Yeah.” Her heels clicked quickly against the floor as she came to the counter and picked up her purse like she was snatching it from someone, then stormed off.


    I poked my head to the side, my gaze still trying to follow her even when she was out of sight.


    It was only when Maddox snapped his fingers in my face that I paid attention.


    “Hmm?” I looked up to meet his gaze.


    “Feeling sorry for her?”


    “Nope.”


    “Are you sure? That’s what she gets for doing something like that anyway. Apart from the Tiffany stuff, which I heard, what else did she tell you?”


    “That you two have ns.” I traced his sweaty chest with my index finger.


    “What ns?” His forehead creased.


    I shrugged.


    “She knew she’d find you here by showing up when she did.”


    “I know.” I nodded.


    “I’m pretty sure I cleared things up,” he said, rubbing his thumb on my lower lip. “Now, enough about her. I seriously need that shower. Too bad you already took one.”


    1 rolled my eyes, fully aware he wanted me to go with him, but I ced my hand on his chest and gently pushed him away.


    “Your loss,” He bit his lower lip, moving backwards while watching me.


    Breakfast was everything I wanted it to be and more, which was why it took me a few minutes to leave the table even when I was done.


    <b>35 </b>


    55 vouchers


    Just as I was taking it all in, I heard Maddox’s voice getting louder in the hallway. He was on the phone, something about going to Dubai for an urgent meeting and just like that, I knew I was going to leave. There was no way I was going to stay there without him around.


    His figure finally came into view and he was in a long sleeved shirt, unbuttoned all the way down to show off his sculpted muscles and I stared like I could lick it.


    “That was my dad. Change of ns,” he said as soon as he got off the phone.


    I blinked, now looking up at his face. “I heard.”


    “This wasn’t part of the n at all. I made sure to clear my weekend schedule.” He ced his hand at the base of my chin. “I wanted you here all weekend. I have an idea.”


    “Tell me.”


    “Come with me.”