The Beach Hut on Plum Island

3. CHAPTER 3

Harriet had all her suitcases open on the large king-sized bed that stood in the center of her bedroom in her hotel suite. She’d made up her mind that it was time to leave Plum Island, at least until her uncle had left. Especially after Harriet’s father told her that there was a clause in Joyce Isle’s charter called a royal matrimony decree. She pinched the bridge of her nose, remembering what her father had told her.

In the interest of maintaining stability and securing the future of the kingdom, the reigning monarch reserves the authority to require members of the royal family, particularly heirs to the throne, to enter into marriage when deemed necessary for the welfare and prosperity of Joyce Isles. Such unions shall be conducted with careful consideration for diplomatic relations, alliance-building, and the preservation of the royal lineage.

“I could renounce my title,” Harriet said to the room as she started gathering her things. “It’s not like I’m going to have any kids.”

“But then you’d also have to give up everything being Princess Harriet entails.” Alex’s voice made her jump.

“What the heck, Alex?” Harriet seethed. “How did you get in here?”

“I have a keycard.” Alex held up the card. “I knocked, but there was no answer, and the front desk told me that you were in.”

“I forgot I gave you that,” Harriet muttered.

“Are you going somewhere?” Alex leaned against the doorframe, watching Harriet take clothes from the closet and dump them into suitcases.

“I’m leaving,” Harriet told him. “It’s time.”

“And you’re renouncing your title because…” Alex gave her a sideways look.

“I was just talking nonsense to myself,” Harriet told him.

“Harry!” Alex pushed himself off the doorframe and walked over to her, stopping her from wearing a hole in the carpet. “Stop what you’re doing for a minute, and let’s talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Harriet shrugged and snorted. “You know nearly every little girl has some dream of being a princess.”

“But Harry always dreamed of being a normal little girl,” Alex said.

“They don’t really know what it means to be a princess,” Harriet sneered. “One minute, you’re sailing along, happy because you’re not the one that’s going to be responsible for taking over the throne.” She raised her hands in a mock happy move. “Yay.” She drew in a breath. “Then suddenly, the king decides that joining two influential families will be a good move for the kingdom, and he has a single niece who can make that happen.”

“Your father messaged me,” Alex told her. “He asked me to help you and ensure that his quote, insane egomaniacof a brother, doesn’t get his way at Harriet’s expense.”

“My father and uncle had a fight,” Harriet explained. “This should be about my brother. Gray is the one in line for the throne, not me.”

“Gray is spoken for, apparently,” Alex said. “Who knew he was dating freakin’ Trinity Woodrow.”

“It’s amazing how Gray always gets away with things like that.” Harriet sighed resignedly. “But not me. I’m always the one who gets the backlash.”

“Did you not hear when I said Gray’s dating Trinity Woodrow?” Alex asked her.

“I already know that,” Harriet told him. “Good for him.”

“I don’t like Trinity.” Alex groaned.

“But Gray does,” Harriet pointed out. “So we have to support that, and if it keeps my brother from the clutches of Lady Estelle Psycho, I don’t care who he’s dating.”

“Funny, Gray said the same thing about you,” Alex told her. “He won’t be happy knowing that you’re running away.”

“I’m not running away,” Harriet told him. “I’m merely packing and leaving gracefully in a flourish.”

“You’re running,” Alex insisted. “And that’s just being selfish.”

“How is me going back to New York being selfish?” Harriet gaped at him.

“Because I’ve just got my best friend back, Dawn needs you, Ethan needs you, and what’s Brad going to do when you’re gone?” Alex asked her. “We can’t live without you in our lives, Harry, even if it means you hate me again. I’d rather have you here every day glaring at me or pushing me off a boat than not have you here at all.”

“That’s selfish!” Harriet pointed with her index finger. “All I’ve heard in that statement of yours is how everyone needs me!” She pointed her hand at herself. “But what about what I need?”

“That’s an excellent question, Harry.” Alex walked to her suitcase and started taking items out of it and dumping them back in the closet. “What do you need? Because for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve never asked for help or told anyone what you need.”

Harriet took the clothes Alex had put back on the shelf and dumped them back in the suitcase. Alex picked up the pile and took it back to the closet.

“Right now, I need you to stop unpacking what I’ve packed!” Harriet grabbed the pile of clothes and dumped them in her suitcase.

“Nope,” Alex said, grabbing the clothes again.

“Stop it!” Harriet’s voice started to rise as she grabbed the pile of clothes in Alex’s hands.

“No!” Alex pulled the clothes from her hands. “You stop it.”

“Alex!” Harriet hissed. “Give me my clothes.”

They grappled over the pile of clothes until they went flying in all directions. “Now look at what you’ve done.” Alex shook his head.

“You know what?” Harriet held up her hands. “I can get someone to send them to me.”

Her hands shook as she walked to the dresser and grabbed her purse.

“Where are you going?” Alex followed Harriet through to the living room.

“Anywhere but here,” Harriet told him.

Alex blocked the door to the hallway with his six-foot-four frame.

“Why don’t we have some tea and talk about this?” Alex suggested. “I’ll even pick up the clothes that you spilled on the floor.”

Her eyes narrowed warningly on him. “My uncle and his merry entourage arrive in three days. I want to be long gone by then.”

“An hour or two is not going to make a difference,” Alex pointed out. “Please, Harry, just have a cup of tea.”

“Fine, but you’re paying for it, and I want something to eat as well. I didn’t have breakfast!” Harriet dumped her purse on the table beside the door and walked into the living room. Plopping onto the sofa, she took the room service menu from the table.

“That’s a great idea.” Alex sat beside her. “I’m also starving.”

They ordered room service, and while they waited, Harriet turned to Alex.

“Me leaving is your fault.“ Harriet poked him in the chest with her index finger. “I asked you to do one thing for me.” She held up a finger. “One thing, and that was not to invite my family here.”

“It wasn’t me,” Alex told her. “My mother took over the guest list, and you know how she is.”

“It’s yours and Daniella’s party,” Harriet pointed out. “All you had to do was say no.”

“I’m sorry.” Alex pulled a sad face. “I didn’t think there would be any harm in my parents inviting Gray and your parents.”

“Yes, but you knew that inviting them would lead to the possibility of my parents extending the invitation to my grandfather and uncle.” Harriet raised her eyebrows. “My uncle has decided he’s going to trade me for the olive plantation that my family has always coveted.”

“Aren’t you just being a teensy melodramatic, Harry?” Alex made a teeny sign with his index finger and thumb.

“Let’s see…” Harriet folded her one arm over her chest and tapped her finger on her chin in feigned contemplation. “My uncle, who is the reigning monarch of my family and who apparently had a say in who I marry and what I do, has decreed…“ she emphasized the word, “that our family and the Gladstone family of some tiny city near Greece marry because it will be good for the Joyce Isles.”

“Doesn’t he have to go through a whole thing before he can make that stick?” Alex asked. “I mean, on the one hand, the law of your kingdom states that the monarchy is free to choose who they want to marry.” He held up his hand. “But, your uncle, the reigning king, can override that rule at will.” He shook his head in confusion. “It doesn’t make sense to me.”

“My father told me that while my grandfather is still alive, my uncle has to be seen to be following that rule,” Harriet explained. “But Uncle Titus, who has used my grandfather’s dementia for his own personal gain, managed to get him to approve a clause.”

“Oh!” Alex raised his brows. “Which is?”

“In the interest of maintaining stability and securing the future of the kingdom, the reigning monarch reserves the authority to require members of the royal family, particularly heirs to the throne, to enter into marriage when deemed necessary for the welfare and prosperity of Joyce Isles. Such unions shall be conducted with careful consideration for diplomatic relations, alliance-building, and the preservation of the royal lineage.”Harriet recited. “This amendment can only be enforced should the heir to the throne be divorced, widowed for five years, or single for five years.”

“Ouch!” Alex pulled a pained face. “You’ve been divorced, and you’ve been single for over five years.”

“I’ve dated,” Harriet said indignantly.

“Yeah, but did any of the dates turn into a serious relationship?” Alex questioned.

“Well, no.” Harriet shook her head. “But I went on more than five dates with a few of the men.”

“But that can’t really be seen as having a relationship, though,” Alex stated.

Harriet sighed. “No, it doesn’t count.” She rubbed her temples. “That’s why I panicked—“

“And told your mother you were engaged to Finn,” Alex added.

“They told you?“ Harriet hissed. “You see, this is why I don’t have many female friends. They have loose tongues.”

“No.” Alex shook his head. “They have big hearts, and they care about you.”

“Who told you?” Harriet narrowed her eyes as she interrogated him. “Jennifer, Carly, Caroline, oh…” She clicked her fingers. “Was it Daniella?”

“No.” Alex shook his head again. “None of the above.”

“Then who—“ She stopped abruptly and raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “Not Dawn!”

“I’m afraid so,” Alex nodded. “Did you forget that Dawn and I are actually besties now?”

“That snitch!” Harriet shook her head in disbelief. “Wow!”

“Dawn is concerned about you,” Alex explained. “And even more so when your other new besties,” he held up his hands indicating for her not to overreact, “decided to make a plan to help you.” He held them up higher. “But only because they don’t want you to leave and because they don’t think what your uncle is doing is right. It’s archaic.”

“No,” Harriet contradicted him. “Arranged marriages are still practiced in many cultures.”

“Not so much ours,” Alex pointed out. “And why is your uncle suddenly wanting you to marry that Duke Leon Gladstone-Jerk-Wit?” His brow creased tighter. “Didn’t he see how relieved you were to have broken up with Leon after he’d cheated on you countless times?”

“That was back then when he thought he could get Gray to marry Leon’s cousin Estelle and while Leon’s father was still in charge of the Gladstone family’s fortune and properties,” Harriet informed Alex.

“Is this marriage about money?” Alex looked at her, amazed. “I thought the Joyce family was loaded.”

“We don’t need money. As far as I’m aware, our family’s money is still fine.” Harriet shrugged. She didn’t care much about that. “I do know that the Gladstone’s fortune has dwindled rather badly since Leon’s father gambled most of it away, and Leon’s business skills are severely lacking. Leon’s father has had a severe stroke, and the Duchess, his mother, is once again in charge of the finances or what’s left of them.”

“Then why would your uncle want an alliance between the Joyce and Gladstone families if they’re in financial trouble?” Alex looked at her in confusion. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“For the same reason he tricked me into getting engaged to that philandering lout of a Leon in the first place,” Harriet confessed. “The Gladstones own not one but three extremely lucrative olive farms that all surround my grandfather’s vineyard in Greece.”

“Your uncle wants to marry you off so he can make olive oil alongside Joyce wines?” Alex stared at Harriet in disbelief. “And going back a few years… Titus tricked you into getting engaged to Leon?”

Harriet dropped her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes, sighing as her mind skipped back all those years. She looked at Alex.

“Uncle Titus was the one who got me into Oxford after you and I had our marriage dissolved. Then, when I was in England, Uncle Titus personally introduced me to his good friend’s son, Leon, who was charming and good-looking and helped me get over what happened between us.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, calming herself. “The next thing I knew, Uncle Titus was announcing mine and Leon’s engagement. I told him I didn’t want to get married, and he said just to give it a year and see how things develop between Leon and me. He went as far as to tell me that me being engaged to Leon would help you move on.”

“He said that to you?” Alex’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Why that scheming monarch.”

“Then, after a year, I wanted to end the farce of an engagement, but my uncle listed all the benefits the Gladstone and Joyce family uniting would bring,” Harriet told Alex. “At this point, my brother stepped in and told my uncle that if I wanted to leave Leon, it was up to me. He threw the other rule in his face about us being able to choose who we wanted. And my grandfather got behind my brother, which only angered my uncle, and that’s when he added that little clause I’ve just told you about.”

“But your grandfather was of sound mind back then,” Alex said.

“No.” Harriet shook her head. “What no one knows is that my grandfather had suffered a stroke that year, and that’s why he stepped back so early and let my uncle take over.”

“What?” Alex looked at her, even more confused. “I thought your uncle had only become king in the last twenty years.”

“Formally, maybe,” Harriet confirmed. “But informally, my uncle has been king for twenty-eight years because of my grandfather’s poor health.”

“Yes, but your grandfather is still very much alive,” Alex pointed out.

“It’s because he didn’t have the stress of everything that being king of Joyce Isles comes with,” Harriet commented. “But the dementia has already taken his legs. The doctors say it’s only a matter of time until the rest of his system starts to shut down.”

“I’m sorry, Harry.” Alex’s voice dropped and was filled with compassion. “I know you and your grandfather are close.” He squeezed her hand. “Can I ask you a question about Leon?”

“Sure.” Harriet looked at him.

“If your brother and grandfather got behind you in support of you leaving Leon, why did you stay engaged to him for another year?” Alex asked her.

“Because of the guilt trip my Uncle put me on,” Harriet sighed. “My father was supposed to marry Leon’s mother. The Olive dynasty is from her side of the family. The Gladstones’ largest olive farms surround my grandfather’s small vineyard.”

“That’s not such a small vineyard, is it?” Alex pointed out.

“It’s small in comparison to other wine giants,” Harriet told him. “My grandfather and uncle have been after the Gladstone’s properties for years. But because my father jilted Leon’s mother for mine, Duke Gladstone wouldn’t sell it to them.”

“Wait!” Alex held up his hand. “Leon’s mother’s family name is Gladstone?”

“Yes,” Harriet nodded. “Leon’s mother was Duke Gladstone’s only child and heir, so whoever married his daughter, unless it was a crown prince, had to take on the Gladstone name.”

“Oh!” Alex nodded. “So out of spite toward your father falling in love with your mother, the Gladstones wouldn’t sell the land to your family, and then your uncle tried to procure the property through marriage between you and the current Gladstone heir.”

“That’s correct,” Harriet said. “With the guilt I’ve been shrouded in over my parentage, my uncle managed to manipulate me.” She shook her head. “And he held my grandfather’s health over my head.” She turned toward Alex, pulling her one leg onto the sofa. “And you know how much I adore my grandfather. I mean, the man supported all my crazy antics. Let me run wild. I had more freedom when I went to visit him than I did at home, and my father was no longer crown prince.”

“I know. Your grandfather spoils the heck out of you. You’re the apple of his eye,” Alex remembered.

“Grandfather always used to say, we may have a title, but that’s just words. It doesn’t distinguish us or give us the right to act like we’re better than anyone else,” Harriet repeated her grandfather’s words. “We’re just people who bleed, eat, and die like everyone else. The only thing we ever hold over anyone is our commitment to our people. To those, we’re supposed to be there to protect those who put us where we are in the first place.” She smiled, thinking about her grandfather. “We must never lose sight of how fortunate we are to have had that trust bestowed upon us.”

“He is one of the wisest men I know,” Alex commented. “His compassion and spirit are why he’s still the most beloved monarch of all time.”

Harriet gave a soft laugh and nodded. “Yes, he is.”

“Do you know that your father once told me that you remind him so much of the combination of his father and mother?” Alex surprised her by saying. “He said that Harriet got the best traits from both his parents and your grandfather. He wished you’d have shown interest in taking the throne one day.”

“Oh, no!” Harriet looked horrified, emphasizing by wiggling her hands in the air. “That is not the life for me. I don’t even want the title.”

“Then ditch it,” Alex said. “You know I’ll support you no matter what you decide.”

“I know,” Harriet said, nodding. “And you can support me in getting out of Plum Island for a while.”

“You mean help you run and hide?” Alex looked at her accusingly.

“Call it what you want,” Harriet told him. “You call it hiding. I call it clearing my head and deciding what to do or how to thwart my uncle while getting a nice tan on a tropical island somewhere off the grid.”

“Harry, before you go running off to hide on some tropical island with the bedsheets pulled over your head, hoping all your problems won’t find you,” Alex told her, “please, just give us a day to talk you out of it, and let us explain the plan we’ve come up with to you.”

“Us?” Harriet looked at him in alarm. “Who is us?”

“Your friends,” Alex said, taking her hand. “You have a lot of people on Plum Island who love you and care for you very much. So please just trust me and give our plan a chance.”

Harriet stared at Alex through narrowed eyes for a few moments before lifting a brow. “I don’t know. You have that look about you. You know the one that you get when you tell me to trust you, and I do. Then I follow you, and clowns jump out from behind doors and alongside a few of those weird little horses.”

“That was your tenth birthday,” Alex said. “And as I’ve told you a million times since that day, it wasn’t my idea. I warned everyone that you didn’t like clowns, and those tiny horses freaked you out.”

“They’re just creepy.” Harriet shuddered. “Like clowns, and then someone put them together for my birthday party.”

“Yeah.” Alex dropped his chin and shook his head, agreeing with her. “It was almost like someone was trying to get back at you for swapping out their chocolate birthday cake for a mud one.”

“I knew it!” Harriet breathed, looking at Alex in disbelief. “It was you that told my parents I’d gotten over my fear of clowns and little horses.”

“Okay!” Alex raised his hands again. “Yes. I did because I was so mad that you’d ruined my party. But…” He turned his face slightly. “I wasn’t lying when I tried to take it back and tell your parents that maybe they shouldn’t have planned a clown and horse party for you, but it was too late.”

“So you decided to frighten me to death because I made you a mud cake?” Harriet rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, but that was an awesome mud cake.”

“It really was. You made it look so real,” Alex agreed.

“Besides, after your friends had tried it and ran screaming in a million directions,” Harry couldn’t help but grin at the memory of terrified twelve-year-olds who’d taken a bite of mud, “I gave you the real one,” Harriet pointed out.

“No!” Alex shook his head, reminding her of what actually happened. “You were basically rolling on the ground laughing and clearing out my entire party before your mother made you find my real cake. You had my party guests eating mud.”

“How stupid were they to think that it even looked like a real cake!” Harriet pursed her lips to stop laughing.

“Because someone convinced us that it was a chocolate mousse cake!” Alex looked at her pointedly.

“Really?” Harriet’s chest bounced, and she tried to stifle her laughter. “Ethan and I couldn’t believe you all believed me.”

“Harriet, you even made it smell like a sweet chocolate mousse cake.” Alex shook his head in disgust.

“Oh, how I miss Denny, our old chef.” Harriet sighed. “He was so creative.”

“Denny helped you?” Alex looked at her.

“He did.” Harriet nodded in confirmation. “But that’s what you get for being a brat and not letting Ethan share your party with you. You’re twins, and you really hurt him that day.”

“You don’t know the pain of sharing every birthday with someone.” Alex sighed. “I just wanted one party that was for me.”

“No, you were being mean,” Harriet told him. “You bullied your brother, and you needed to be brought down a peg or two… or thirty-two.” She laughed as the picture of thirty-two preteens took a bite of chocolate mud mousse cake.

Alex shook his head as he stared fondly at her. “Harry, this is what I don’t understand.” He drew in a breath. “You have this way about you that makes people want to do things for you. You stand up to bullies and stick your neck out for anyone in need. I’ve never known you to back down from a fight, a challenge, or a dare.” He looked into her eyes as if searching for his answer. “Why are you letting your uncle bully you and chase you from your new home?”

“I don’t want to leave,” Harriet admitted. “But I have to, Al. My uncle can be a stubborn old coot when he wants to be, and well, apparently, I’m the property of Joyce Isles.”

“You are Harriet freakin’ Joyce!” Alex stated proudly. “You’ve gotten to where you are today by working hard and pushing through adversity from a tough family dynamic.” He smiled warmly. “I can’t and won’t let you be run off meekly to hide from your uncle.”

“If only it were that simple,” Harriet said. “If it were just me, I’d rise up against the crazy old coot and tell him where to get off.” She put her arm on the back of the sofa and rested her head on her hand. “But this doesn’t just concern me. The last time my brother defied Uncle Titus, he threatened one of Gray’s projects—the shelter for at-risk people.”

“I used to like your Uncle, Titus,” Alex said. “Now I think he’s kind of a spoiled brat jerk!”

“Uncle Titus is a good man,” Harriet stuck up for her uncle. “He just gets overzealous when it comes to getting his way or something he wants.” She shrugged. “Like the Gladstone’s olive groves.”

“Then ditch the title,” Alex encouraged her. “You never wanted it anyway.” He smiled. “You know I’m always here for you when your uncle seizes all your assets and freezes all your accounts.”

“That’s very sweet of you.” Harriet smiled. “But he can only freeze the accounts I don’t even use, and he can’t freeze my assets as they’re bought with money I earned working or my inheritance from my mother’s parents. I haven’t touched Joyce money.”

“There! See? Even without the Joyce title or money, you’re going to be okay,” Alex consoled. “So, if you want to ditch the title and walk away from being a Joyce, I’m right there with you.”

“Thank you,” Harriet said. “But I still have things to do before I do that. One of them is to get myself a great attorney. I can’t use my family’s attorneys or any that are associated with the Joyce family.”

“I know of a few,” Alex told her, holding up his index finger. “But before you go making such a big decision, hear the plan we’ve devised first.”

“I don’t want to drag you or any of the people I care about into this fight with my uncle,” Harriet told him. “He can fight dirty when he wants to, and he knows my weak spots.”

“Are you kidding me?” Alex raised his brows. “You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. Remember the motto the five of us had growing up? Well, it still applies, only now it applies to a few additions to our friendship group.”

Alex’s phone beeped. He pulled it out and looked at it.

“You can go if you have to,” Harriet assured him.

“No. I don’t need to go,” Alex told her. “Not yet, anyway. It’s Malcolm. You know, he captained my yacht for me?”

“I know who Malcolm is, Alex,” Harriet told him. “I haven’t lost my mind quite yet.”

“I know!” Alex said. “Malcolm is with the assessor at my house that was burned down.”

“I still can’t believe what happened to your beautiful house.” Harriet’s heart went out to Alex.

“I know,” Alex agreed. “I’m just grateful that none of you were in it.”

“Have you and Daniella decided what you’re going to do with it?” Harriet asked.

“We’re going to rebuild,” Alex told her. “But not as a house. We want to turn it into a medical center focusing on rare diseases and conditions that often go untreated or undiagnosed.”

“That’s not going to be easy,” Harriet warned.

“I know,” Alex said. “There’s a lot of red tape, but we’re going to work through it.”

“I think that’s awesome, and I’d like to help with it,” Harriet told him.

“You have to be here to help,” Alex commented.

“I’m not leaving for good,” Harriet said. “Just for a while.”

“Let’s put a pin in this discussion about you leaving until you’ve heard the plan,” Alex suggested. “As for the glass house, I know Daniella would appreciate your help with it and…” He glanced at her, grinning. “It could finally be a chance for you to use all that champagne you’ve been stealing from me.”

“I’ve still got a few more bottles to collect,” Harriet told him.

“I could always just buy them for you,” Alex raised his brows.

“That would make the bet null and void,” Harriet reminded him.

“I buy most of them anyway,” Alex pointed out.

“Yes, but you know the deal.” Harriet sighed.

“How long ago did you and Brad’s father make that bet?” Alex rolled his eyes.

“Five years ago.” Harriet grinned. “I’ve nearly hit my target.” She turned and looked at Alex. “I think Daniella’s new medical center would really benefit from the winnings when I win.”

“All our parents are going to lose a pretty penny as well when you do.” Alex laughed.

“They didn’t have to get in on it,” Harriet said.

“Yeah, but Ethan can be very persuasive when he wants to be,” Alex snorted. “He took your bet and quadrupled the winnings.”

“And now I have a cause to donate those winnings to,” Harriet grinned. “So you’d better have another ten parties before you start building the clinic.”

“You only need ten more bottles?” Alex looked at her in surprise. “Just how many parties have I had in the past five years?”

”A lot!“ Harriet laughed. “But they aren’t all from your parties. I’ve donated a few bottles to my cause on behalf of Brad, Ethan, Dawn, your parents, my parents, and Dawn’s family.”

“Way to go, Harry,” Alex laughed. “You’re going to take our parents’ money and use some of their champagne to do it.”

Alex’s phone beeped again as there was a knock on Harriet’s suite door.

“That must be the food,” Harriet said. “It took long enough.”

“Oh shoot, Harry,” Alex said, standing with her. “I’m going to have to go.”

“But the food’s just arrived.” Harriet pointed at the door.

“Don’t worry, Harry, I’m sure it won’t go to waste,” Alex said with a grin that sent tiny pinpricks of warning through her system.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The sensation started to grow as she watched Alex rush toward the door. “Alex?”

“Just that our solution to your current problem has arrived,” Alex told her. “And while I’d love to stay, I have to meet the assessor with Malcolm.”

“What?” Harriet stood staring at Alex in confusion as a feeling of dread crept over her.

Alex pulled the door open, and Harriet’s eyes widened in shock. Her heart jolted and started hammering against her rib cage when she realized what her friend’s solution was.

“Hello, Harriet.” Finn stepped inside her suite behind the man delivering room service.

Never had Harriet wished for a sinkhole to open up and swallow her as hard as she did at that moment.