“Not quite,” I said. “Although that could have been fun.” I led her into the elevator and hit the button for the rooftop.
When we walked out of the elevator, Harper’s eyes lit up. “Wow,” she said, looking around. I looked around as well. The lighting was soft and sultry, making the bright lights of the city stand out even more intensely. There were gauzy burgundy curtains cutting up the space, making each table seem like its own private area. Candles shimmered around the perimeter and twinkled from each tabletop. It was everything that Sadie had told me it would be.
“Come on,” I said, putting an arm around Harper’s shoulder and steering her over to the hostess. “Table for two, under Ace Bradley.”
“Right this way, please.” We were led to a table in the back, with an amazing view of the skyscrapers.
“How did you find this place?” Harper asked.
“I know people,” I said mysteriously.
She laughed and picked up her menu. There weren’t many options, just a few set menus to choose between, but they all sounded delicious.
“This might be the most perfect date I’ve ever been on,” Harper said, and I couldn’t help the surge of pride that went through me.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” I said, lightly stroking her knuckles.
As we ate, I noticed her looking around, watching everyone else in the room. But I tried not to feel jealous that I wasn’t the sole focus of her attention. It was probably just the reporter in her. She was constantly looking for a story, just like I was constantly assessing threats.
Suddenly, though, I noticed that there was one person, in particular, that she was watching. Oh, she’d look away and scan the restaurant as though she wasn’t fixated on him, but her eyes would always end up back at his table. I felt a flare of jealousy burst inside of me.
“An old fling?” I asked mildly.
Harper jumped a little, giving me a guilty look. “What are you talking about?” she asked.
“That guy over there,” I said, nodding my head toward their table. “You keep staring at him. Is he an old fling?”
“No!” Harper said, but I could see the way she blushed.
“You don’t have to lie to me,” I said in disgust, dropping my napkin on the table. I wasn’t the kind of guy to storm out, but this wasn’t the way I wanted this night to go.
Harper caught my wrist before I could get up, though. “I thought you’d recognize him,” she said. “His name is Daniel Altham; he works for the local broadcast channel.” She smirked. “You know, the one that you did that terrible interview with.”
I snorted. “Okay,” I said slowly. “But that still doesn’t explain why you keep looking over at him.”
Harper ducked her head. “I’m assuming he’s here doing a story on the place. It’s an interesting idea, the vibe is great, and there are a lot of little local celebrities. So I was trying to figure out where the cameras are. I’m also hoping he doesn’t see me because he’s absolutely the most boring person at all of our journalist awards events in the city, and I’d rather not spoil tonight talking to him.”
I had to stifle a laugh at that. “One tip,” I said. “If you don’t want him to notice you, you probably should stop staring over at him.”
“I know,” Harper sighed. “Isn’t that one of those human instincts, though? Keep your eyes on the enemy and track its movements?”
I laughed. “Where did you learn that, in Kuwait?” I teased.
She grinned and shrugged. “To be honest, I learned a lot of stuff there.” She sobered. “I don’t regret having Ava, but sometimes I wonder what my career could have turned into if I hadn’t had her.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, but fortunately, before I could think of what to say, Harper was shaking her head and smiling.
“This has been really great,” she said, taking my hand again. “Thanks for bringing me here.” I smiled at her.
Our desserts arrived just then, two slices of chocolate cake. Harper groaned. “I was trying to save room for this, but I’m already so full,” she lamented.
I laughed. “Me too,” I admitted. “Why don’t we box one of them up for Maisie, and you and I can split the other one?”
“You trying to score points with Maisie?” Harper asked, sounding amused.
I gave her a serious look. “I like you, Harper,” I said. “And I know Maisie’s important to you, and to Ava. I figure if I’m going to be sticking around, then…” I trailed off, realizing I was getting ahead of myself. “What I mean is—”
“I like that,” Harper interrupted before I could dig the hole even deeper. “The idea of you wanting to stick around, the idea of you wanting to score points with Maisie. I like that.” She said it simply, as though it weren’t some big declaration. As though it was just what she expected.