Page 20 of Nothing to Tell

Because what else would be more mortifying?

“Carolyn Hunt,” the woman said, holding out her hand.

Harper shook it, as was the polite thing to do.The rest of her body quaked.

This lie just got bigger.

So far parents had not been directly involved.At the engagement party, she’d avoided presenting Bastian to her parents as… anything.They’d danced and then he’d left, that was it.Job done.

The stupid mugger had a lot to answer for.Her purse?Who cared?But that one moment dominoed into the next until Bastian’s poor mother was dragged to her side, forcing them deeper into the lie.

“Lovely to meet you,” Harper said because what the hell else could she say?

“You too,” Carolyn said.“I’m sorry to hear about your trouble tonight.”

“Really, it’s no trouble, just one of those things.”

Carolyn nodded with a head tilt of sympathy.

Bastian interjected.“Would you two stop chatting like you’re at a society luncheon?We’re in a hospital.”

“I’ll go home with Carnell,” Adara said, “if you go home with Bastian.”

What an ultimatum.

Carolyn smiled again and this time, the countenance put her on edge.Placated expressions had replaced the angry, worried, guilty ones, that was a plus.See the good.Ignore the bad.Be positive.

This mood was, at least, an improvement.

“Okay,” Harper relented.

“Really?”Bastian, Adara, and Carnell all said at the same time.

Bastian didn’t hinder her slipping off the bed.“If it will make you all feel better.”

“Will you promise to take care of her, Bastian?”Adara asked.“I’ll tell my father she’s with you.I know he’ll understand.”

“I bet he will,” Carnell said under his breath.

So her father was going to believe she was sleeping over at the house of a man they’d never met.No, she didn’t need her father’s approval to have a relationship, but this was going to raise questions she’d rather not field.

How would she pass it off?Booty call?Better that than reveal the truth of the mugging.

“Good, now we have an agreement,” Carolyn said.“Do you need a doctor to sign you out?”

EIGHT

PAPERWORK OUT OF the way, they left the hospital as a group.After fussing greatly, Adara and Carnell got in a cab destined for his apartment.

Two down.

Who was left?Her, Bastian… and his mother.

Well, this was awkward.Great.Just great.

Bastian kept their fingers twined on the walk through the parking garage.A black BMW nestled discreetly in the corner flashed when they approached.

“Good thing he didn’t bring the Porsche.I’ll sit in the back,” Carolyn said.“Your place is with Bastian.”