Ghostly Issues (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 2) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

you forgot she existed,” Zander said. “I’m sure she’ll survive.”
    Jared scowled and slammed the office door as he left, cringing when Harper swiveled and placed her hands on her hips.
    “What do you want?”
    Jared knew he was supposed to be cowering in fear and begging, but there was something so appealing about Harper and her simple blue jeans and T-shirt that he was momentarily lost in thought. “What?”
    “God, you forgot about me when you were standing across from me,” Harper snapped, shaking her head.
    “I did not forget about you,” Jared argued. “I … made a mistake.”
    “Oh, wow, thanks for the news flash,” Harper deadpanned. “I’ll alert the media.”
    Jared ran his tongue over his teeth. “You have a right to be angry.”
    “Thank you for your permission.”
    Jared rubbed his hand over the top of his hair, completely dumbfounded how to handle this situation. Mel was right when he said he had no idea what he was doing. Jared was at a loss. He knew he wanted to make things better. He just didn’t know how.
    For lack of anything better to do, Jared extended the flowers so Harper could take them. “I know you’re supposed to get red in a situation like this, but I didn’t like the look of the red ones,” he said. “The purple reminded me of you for some reason.”
    Harper took the flowers, her eyes widening as she looked them over. “You must have spent a fortune on these.”
    “I had no idea flowers were so expensive. You’re the first person I’ve ever bought them for.”
    “How did you know purple was my favorite color? Did Zander tell you?” Harper asked, her blue eyes sharp as they studied his face.
    “No. I honestly … for some reason those were the ones I liked so I went with my gut,” Jared replied. “I … .” He broke off, conflicted.
    Harper waited.
    “I’m sorry,” Jared said, gritting the words out. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    Harper’s cheeks flooded, burning as shame washed over her. “You didn’t hurt me. I … that’s ridiculous. Who said you hurt me? I didn’t say that.”
    Jared pursed his lips. “It’s obvious I hurt you,” he said. “I didn’t mean to. I … don’t have an excuse except I wanted you to call me. When you didn’t, I felt like an idiot and it was too late to call you without looking like an ass. I figured we would just catch up when I got back.”
    “Huh. Well … I guess we’re caught up,” Harper said, making to move back into the office. “Have a nice day.”
    “Don’t walk away from me,” Jared ordered, softening his voice when he caught sight of the murderous look on her face. “I really am sorry. This is the last thing I wanted.”
    “What did you want?”
    “I wanted a chance to go on a date with you before I got called out of town and screwed everything up.”
    Jared’s answer was honest and earnest, and despite her best intentions, Harper felt her resolve melting. “It doesn’t matter.”
    “It does matter.”
    “No, it doesn’t,” Harper argued. “I thought … it doesn’t matter what I thought.” She regrouped. “I’m glad your mother is doing better. I’m sorry you had to come home to a murder. I … thank you for the flowers.”
    Jared knit his eyebrows together. “Is that it?”
    “That’s it. You may go.”
    “Not bloody likely.” Jared grabbed the front of Harper’s shirt, taking her by surprise, and planted a scorching kiss on her lips.
    She thought about fighting him, but her body wouldn’t let her. She leaned into the kiss, causing him to pull her flush against his chest. Neither one of them made a move to come up for air, instead losing themselves in each other and ten days of building anticipation.
     
    “OH, MAN!” Eric made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “I can’t believe she fell for flowers and chocolate.”
    “I told you,” Zander said, smirking as he popped another caramel heart into his mouth. “They’re an attractive couple. I can’t