Page 66 of Seeing Harper

“Thank you so much. I’m just going to get settled for tonight and prepare for tomorrow’s opening day.”

“Of course, ma’am. If you’d like to dine in your suite, we do offer room service as well.”

“You’re not going to deprive me of a chance to buy you dinner, are you?” Joel asked.

“I was thinking of it,” Harper said.

“How can I convince you to join me for dinner?”

“Here in the hotel?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I was really hoping to turn in early.”

“It’s a world class restaurant,” Joel said, hoping to tempt her.

She knew that being on a business trip meant schmoozing with the people who were a part of the business she was working with. “Okay. What are my choices for dessert?” Harper asked, trying to soften a little.

“We have a marvelous Creme Brulee, and our Napoleon is to die for. We have a French pastry chef on staff,” the gentleman who was checking her in interjected.

Harper looked at him, then at Joel. “Sold. I’ll have dinner with you, but I may need more than one dessert. So be prepared.”

Joel laughed, and reached out, taking her hand in his softly.

Harper smiled at him, but gently took her hand back. “I’ll just see to getting my bags in my room.”

“Your suite! I have no doubt you’ll be impressed. Maybe I’ll get a peek at it myself before you leave.”

Harper pretended she didn’t hear his comment, and hurried away to follow Henry as he led the way.

“I’ll be waiting here,” Joel called after her.

“I’ll be a minute, but I’ll be back,” she called after herself.

“Ma’am, I can put your things in your room if you’d like. There’s no reason to leave the gentleman waiting,” Henry said as they waited for the elevator.

Harper looked back in the direction of the front desk where she’d left Joel waiting. “I hate to have you have to do that.”

“It’s not a problem. I’ll leave your things in the living room of your suite. I’ll turn on your television so it won’t be so quiet when you return, and I’ll put a do not disturb sign on your door.”

“You don’t mind?” she asked.

“Not at all, and I suggest that you allow me to do these things for you. Our pastries get picked over quickly since some of the locals come in for them often.”

“They wouldn’t dare!” she said, faking outrage.

Henry laughed. “Oh, but they do.”

Harper looked down at her clothes. A pair of Grey slacks with black kitten heels and a pink silk top tucked into them with a thin black belt. “Do I look okay to enter the restaurant. You saw how my friend was dressed. Am I under-dressed?”

“Not at all. You are quite beautiful and I’m sure will outshine anyone else dining with us this evening.”

“You are too kind,” Harper said. She dug in her purse and took out two twenty dollar bills. She held them out to Henry along with one of her key cards — she’d been given two. “Thank you so much for taking care of me.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” he said, taking the card, but leaving her cash in her hand.

“It is. You’re going out of your way. I want to be sure you know I appreciate it.”