Chapter 14

Harper POV

DING.

The elevator doors slid open, and standing before me were Ethan Blackwood and David, his assistant.

I wanted to throw myself out the nearest window.

My brain short-circuited for a second, then rapidly considered my options:

Turn on my heel and bolt.

Pretend I forgot something and slowly back away.

Fake a dramatic faint and hope they step over me.

Option three had some merit.

"Come in," Ethan’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

Oh, come on. Haven’t I suffered enough today?

His gaze was impassive but there was something vaguely expectant about it—like he was waiting for me to move.

My grip tightened around my phone. “I… beg your pardon?”

“It seemed like you were about to... bolt”, His tone was unreadable, but there was the faintest flicker of amusement in his gaze. “Something wrong?”

Oh, nothing much, sir. Just experiencing the worst stroke of luck in my entire existence.

I quickly schooled my expression. “Not at all, sir. I was just—”

BZZT.

Then again.

And again.

Against my better judgment, I glanced down.

Drama Queen: Hey, I have something to tell you…

Drama Queen: The thing is—

Drama Queen: I met the guy.

Drama Queen: The guy from the blind date.

Drama Queen: Ethan Blackwood.

My soul left my body.

My fingers went clammy.

She what!

“Hmm?” Ethan raised an eyebrow.

That startled me realizing I had reacted out loud.

"Are you in some sort of pain?" he asked, mildly amused.

My mouth opened and closed. “N-No, sir. Just a bit… preoccupied.”

“Uh-huh.” Ethan’s gaze lingered for a beat longer than necessary, like he was trying to place something.

I fought the urge to squirm. Did I look familiar to him? Did he know?

Relax, Harper. He doesn’t know your real face. He only knows ‘Riley,’ and that version of you had red lipstick, a different voice, and a wig. He can’t possibly connect the dots… right?

Still, my body screamed at me to run.

Before I could come up with an excuse, David cleared his throat. “We should get going. There’s a meeting, remember?”

“Oh, now you remember the meeting?” Ethan shot him a dry look.

David stammered, ears turning red. “I mean—of course! The meeting is very important.”

Ethan didn’t look convinced but let it slide. His attention flickered back to me for a final time.

“Try not to overthink yourself into an injury,” he said flatly. Then, as if as an afterthought, “And get off work soon. It’s already late.”

And just like that, he brushed past me, heading down the hall.

David shot me a small, awkward smile before hurrying after him.

I exhaled way too loudly.

That was way too close.

I needed a new plan—preferably one that didn’t involve ever crossing paths with Ethan Blackwood again.

…But knowing my luck?

Fat chance.

Drama Queen: HELLO???

Drama Queen: Why aren’t you answering me??

Drama Queen: You saw it!! You’re scaring me!!

I turned on my heel and strode straight toward the exit_ still trying to process.

The second I stepped outside, I inhaled the cool evening air like it was medicine.

I needed sugar. And caffeine. Immediately.

My feet carried me down the block, past the high-end cafés I usually ignored, until I spotted a small street vendor selling coffee and snacks. Perfect.

I slumped onto a nearby bench, peeling open a snack bag with slightly shaky fingers. Then, and only then, did I check my phone again.

Me: Sorry. I’m currently recovering from a near-death experience.

Drama Queen: ???

Drama Queen: WHAT HAPPENED??

Me: UGH. I dunno. Just something.

Drama Queen: That is NOT an answer!!

I sighed, taking a deep sip of my coffee. Okay. One disaster at a time.

Drama Queen: Fine. Whatever. I need to tell you what happened.

Drama Queen: I met Ethan yesterday. In person.

I paused mid-chew.

What.

Me: EXCUSE ME?!

Drama Queen: Yeah, he came to my office.

Drama Queen: You made him sound like the devil, but honestly?

Drama Queen: He wasn’t that bad.

I nearly choked on my coffee.

Not that bad?! The same man who was so desperate to get married he hunted her down at her workplace?!

Me: Riley. I love you. But WHAT do you MEAN he wasn’t that bad?!?!?!?

Drama Queen: I mean he was polite. Kind of intense. But in a weirdly… considerate way??

Drama Queen: I don’t know how to explain it.

Me: Oh my God. You’re not attracted to him, are you??

Three dots appeared.

I froze.

No. No, no, no.

Drama Queen: …I might be.

WHAT?!

I gawked at my screen, snack bag forgotten.

This woman.

This woman who had bullied me into going on that blind date. Who had sworn on her overpriced foundation that Ethan Blackwood was not her type.

And now she was fantasizing about him?!

Me: You cannot be serious.

Drama Queen: Listen. The suit was really well-tailored.

Drama Queen: And his voice? I get why people listen to rich men. I felt my soul leave my body for a second.

I squeezed my eyes shut. "God give me patience.”

Me: You do realize he was at your office because I rejected him as ‘you,’ right?

Drama Queen: That’s what makes it worse!! He didn’t even notice it wasn’t me!!

Drama Queen: Do you think he secretly prefers the version of ‘me’ that’s actually you?

I blinked.

Then I rubbed my temples.

Me: I think he just wants to get married, Riley.

Drama Queen: No, but what if it’s more than that?

Drama Queen: What if he’s subconsciously drawn to you?

Me: Stop making this sound romantic.

Drama Queen: But it’s kind of hot, right? A man who’s so obsessed with me that he chases me down even when I reject him?

I took the deepest breath humanly possible.

Me: Riley. I will block you.

Drama Queen: Okay, okay, fine.

Drama Queen: …but since you work at his company, you could spy on him for me, right?

Me: WHAT?!

Drama Queen: Just a little! Find out what he likes. What he eats. What he thinks of me. Does he secretly hate me? Does he secretly love me?

I massaged my forehead.

This was not happening.

Me: Absolutely not.

Drama Queen: Come on! This is your fault!

Drama Queen: If you hadn’t rejected him, I wouldn’t be curious!!

Me: If I hadn’t rejected him, you’d be planning a wedding right now.

She sent a bunch of rolling eye emojis.

Drama Queen: Just do this for me!!, please

Drama Queen: I’ll owe you one.

That made me pause.

I tapped my fingers against my coffee cup.

Owing me one, huh?

Me: Anything?

Drama Queen: Within reason.

Me: Find me a date.

Drama Queen: What?

Me: You heard me. Eric is asking for a double date after I lied that I had a boyfriend. If you do that, I’ll ask around.

Silence.

For a full minute, Riley didn’t respond.

I smirked, taking another sip of my coffee.

Then—

Drama Queen: …Fine.

I nearly dropped my cup.

Me: Wait, really??

Drama Queen: I am a woman of my word.

Me: Then I’ll give you Ethan’s number.

Drama Queen: WHAT??

I laughed.

Me: You wanted to know what he thinks of you, right? Just text him.

Drama Queen: I HATE YOU.

Me: You’re welcome.

She sent me a lot of angry emojis, and I could practically hear her screaming into her pillow.

I grinned finishing my coffee.

This was going to be so fun.