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

wait to see him with his shirt off.”
    Molly giggled, stepping between Eric and Zander and watching Harper and Jared make out on the sidewalk in front of the office. “Do you think they’re officially back on?”
    Zander shook his head. “I’ve got twenty bucks that says Jared assumes everything is peachy and Harper punishes him for another twenty-four hours.”
    Eric looked hopeful. “Maybe she’ll realize he’s a bad kisser and dump him right now.”
    Molly rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t look like a bad kisser.”
    “He’s not a bad kisser,” Zander said. “Harper told me she saw stars when he finally kissed her.”
    “Ugh.” Eric looked as if he wanted to throw up.
    “They’re cute,” Zander said, smiling fondly at his best friend. “Too bad it’s going to be at least one more day of drama before they’re officially lovey-dovey again.”
    “I think it’s going to be fun,” Molly said. “Harper deserves to have her heart flip. She’s waited a long time for someone like Jared to come along.”
    “I just hope he cooks me a good dinner,” Zander said. “The only way I’m officially getting back on his side is if he wows me with a delicious steak.”
    “This sucks,” Eric muttered.
    “Get over it,” Zander instructed. “They fit together. I like him. He makes her smile. She deserves everything he’s going to bring to her life.”
    “What if he upsets her again?” Eric protested.
    “That’s life,” Zander replied, nonplussed. “Nothing is ever perfect. He is, however, perfect for my Harp. He just needs to learn to buy more than one box of chocolate next time he screws up. Harper is going to be sad she missed this round.”

Seven
    “I don’t think I agreed to this.” Harper glanced around the park, frowning as the setting sun caused her to narrow her eyes. “How did this even happen?”
    Jared shrugged as he ushered her down the slight embankment and toward the taped-off area where Derek Thompson’s body was discovered. “I think I managed to sneak the request in between kisses.”
    Harper scowled. “You don’t play fair.”
    “What’s that saying about everything being fair in love and war?” Jared challenged.
    “Which one is this?” Harper knew she was putting him on the spot, and she relished her power as he shifted uncomfortably.
    “I think it might be too soon to tell,” Jared replied smoothly, although his blue eyes took on a far-off look. “I missed you, Harper.”
    His voice was so soft when he said the words Harper wasn’t sure she didn’t imagine them. She glanced at him. “Did you just say … ?” She didn’t want to ask the question in case it made her look needy – or ridiculous if she imagined it – so she snapped her mouth shut.
    “I said that I missed you,” Jared repeated, holding her gaze. “If you think I’m embarrassed to say it, then you don’t know me. I’m not embarrassed … and I did miss you.”
    Harper frowned. “You have a funny way of showing it.”
    “I know.”
    Harper shook her head, dislodging the warm and fuzzy feelings rolling around inside of her. “I’m still mad at you.”
    “Duly noted,” Jared said, pressing his hand to the small of her back and urging her forward. “I’m not here to get you to forgive me.”
    “Then why are we here?” Harper asked, scanning the area.
    “Mel said you saw Derek Thompson’s ghost earlier,” Jared replied, keeping his voice low. “I was hoping you would be able to talk to him and find out what happened. If a young man’s death gets in the way of your anger … well … I guess I can take you home.”
    “Oh, well, that’s playing fair,” Harper said, sarcasm practically dripping from her tongue.
    “I’m not here to play fair,” Jared whispered, pressing his mouth close to Harper’s ear and enjoying the way she involuntarily shivered. It took him a minute to get his bearings, the feeling of her warm body momentarily giving him ideas, but the memory of Kim’s anguished