2HarperThe RichLAND Party
Harper
The RichLAND Party
Harper looked on in disbelief as handsome Ash Valkyrie doubled over in laughter.
“Ash!” she protested.
She had been so happy with how the party had been going.
Usually, she got overwhelmed in a crowd and ended up talking to other nerds in a quiet corner.
But being with Ash had seemed to make everything easier.
She hadn’t had to resort to fiddling with her bracelet or any of her other nervous habits.
And the fact that Ash was a six-foot-tall hunk of adorableness with shoulder-length sandy brown hair and hazel eyes just made her evening perfect.
Only her flawless moment had just gone up in flames.
Her sister was totally going to call this a Harper Moment.
How did she get herself into these situations?
“Ash! Stop laughing at me!”
“I can’t! Oh, God, I’m going to cry.”
“Ash!” She whacked his arm with her clutch, which only made him laugh harder.
“Ash! You have to get me out of this!”
“Why?” he asked, still chuckling.
“You got me into this party. You have to get me out!” Harper knew that probably wasn’t rational, but she didn’t think she could face slinking out of the party alone.
“But I don’t want to,” he said, smiling at her. Harper smiled tentatively back. He really was incredibly handsome. He had a lovely square jaw and dimples, and those eyes… They were practically gold.
“Ash! You made it!”
Harper made an involuntary squeak of horror as the host, Mason Richland, approached. Harper took a step, intending to make a run for it, but Ash chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist. The warmth and strength of his arm was both steadying and exhilarating.
“Hey Mason. Meet my date, Harper Smoak.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Mason, looking as though he genuinely meant the polite sentiment. He was a trim-looking man with dark brown hair. He looked younger than forty, more contemporary with Ash, who was maybe in his early thirties.
“Hi,” said Harper, knowing that she was blushing. Ash was still holding her tightly to his side.
Mason scrutinized the pair of them. “Is this guy being a pain?” he asked conspiratorially.
“Yes,” said Harper. “But what he doesn’t know is that I will kick him in the shins.”
“Going to risk it,” said Ash grinning unrepentantly. His smugness made Harper laugh. It was a relief that he was standing by her. The angry, silent car ride home from the baseball game flashed in her memory, but she buried it.
“Mason and I have known each other since I was in college,” said Ash helpfully. “We work together periodically.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” said Harper, wondering what exactly Ash did. Several people had described themselves as occasionally working with Ash. She wasn’t sure what that meant. She smiled tentatively at him and felt Ash relax his arm.
“Yes, periodically,” said Mason drily. “Speaking of which—Ash, call me on Monday. There’s a situation with Steph’s Dad. I want to chat about some opportunities.”
“Yeah, of course,” said Ash. “Anytime.”
“Enough work chat,” said Mason, smiling directly at Harper. “How did you two meet?”
“Funny story,” said Ash. “We met in an elevator. Harper was on her way to a party, and we accidentally sexually harassed each other.”
“Asher!” Harper was both horrified and impressed by his quick thinking.
“Are we not telling that part yet?” asked Ash. He looked absolutely gleeful.
“Not in public,” said Harper, trying hard not to laugh at him.
“Probably wise,” said Mason, looking amused. “Here, let me get you some drinks.”
Mason stepped toward a waiter just as his wife approached.
“Ash, darling, I am happy to see you.”
Mrs. Richland was a slender blonde with a long neck and a graceful languid air as if she never hurried for anything.
She leaned in and kissed Ash’s cheek, but he stiffened as if the touch wasn’t welcome.
Her outfit was expensive, but it was the Balenciaga hair tie that caught Harper’s eye.
The woman was wearing a scrunchy on her wrist that cost more than Harper’s gold earrings.
“But you didn’t have to bring a plus one,” she said, stepping back and turning slightly so that Harper was outside the conversation. “You really don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”
“I’m not trying to prove anything,” said Asher through a tight smile. “I’m trying to introduce Harper to my friends.” He stepped closer to Harper, forcing the woman to turn and face them. “Harper, this is Stephanie.”
“Well, I’m sure we’re always happy to meet one of your little friends,” said Stephanie, looking past Harper into the crowd. “But you know I can’t keep track of any of them.”
Harper had no idea how to react. Stephanie was a blatant bitch. Harper glanced up at Ash and thought he looked like he was trying not to explode.
“But now that you’re here, I really should bring it up.” Stephanie’s eyebrows almost rose in concern, but Harper suspected they couldn’t emote that much anymore.
“Bring what up?” Ash looked puzzled.
“The Trax event is coming up. And I just... I’m worried that you’re not going to get an invite.
I really can’t guarantee anything. I’m not on the committee anymore, after all.
But I know what high standards the girls have.
They really do prefer that all the attendees be the right sort of person.
I mean, Mason and I don’t mind, of course.
We’re your friends.” Stephanie focused on Harper for the first time. “You can bring whoever.”
“Wow,” said Harper, genuinely awestruck. “That is some final boss-level bitchiness.”
Then she realized that thought had happened outside her head and looked up at Ash in horror.
“Here,” said Mason, returning and shoving cocktails at them. Harper took the drink. She didn’t know what else to do. Ash gave a sharp bark of laughter and then shook his head.
“Happy birthday, Mason. Come on, Harper, let’s get out of here.”
“But you just got here.” Mason clearly hadn’t heard his wife’s comments.
“I’ll catch you on Monday,” said Ash, ignoring the outstretched drink and pulling Harper away. Mason made a protesting noise, but Ash just kept moving.
Ash tugged her toward the elevator and Harper took a gulp of the cocktail, then handed it to someone. She wasn’t sure it was even a waiter, but they took it.
“I am so sorry,” said Harper. Feeling the horrible, heavy shame feeling in her chest. Why had she said that? Ash would hate her now. “I really didn’t mean to say that. I was just so…”
“Pissed?” he offered, moving around a knot of people who refused to give them space.
Harper might have replied, but the conversation around them felt too loud for a nuanced discussion of her feelings.
Particularly when she wasn’t sure which emotion she was feeling.
Her purse buzzed under her arm. Ash let go of her hand to better negotiate the press of people, and Harper took the opportunity to fumble with her clutch, opening it just as the call ended.
Ash stopped in front of an elevator, and Harper looked around in confusion. It wasn’t the same elevator they’d arrived in. This one was fancier and had a brass lattice-like folding grate across the front.
“That was way out of line. I can’t believe Stephanie said that to you!”
Harper laughed in surprise, realizing he was angry for her, not because of her.
“Mostly, I think I’m impressed. I don’t even know how to be that insulting without getting mad or turning bright pink. That was some serious shade.”
“Ash, are you leaving already?”
The Black man they’d talked to when they arrived waved to get Ash’s attention. Harper thought Ash had said his name was Colin. She didn’t know why she was trying to memorize the names. It wasn’t like she was dating Ash.
With a sinking feeling, Harper replayed some of the comments from previous conversations and realized that everyone in the room probably thought Ash was her boyfriend.
The worst part was that she would have liked a date with Ash and now her chances were probably ruined.
This Harper Moment kept getting better and better.
The elevator arrived with a sharp ding, and Ash turned to look at it. Harper’s phone gave a single buzz in her hand. She looked down and saw Cooper’s face next to a text message.
Stop ducking my calls. This is your reminder message that it’s almost the fifteenth. Don’t forget to put your check in the mail.
Harper felt the now familiar burn of shame and anger. She had put a reminder on her calendar. She didn’t need him to call her. Also, who wrote checks anymore? The fact that he wouldn’t accept any of her online payment options pissed her off. She’d had to order checks because of him.
Why couldn’t she have dated someone like Ash? Ash seemed like a great boyfriend. He’d been so supportive and kind.
“Elevator’s here. See you, Colin,” she heard Ash say and tucked her phone away without responding.
“Asher, my darling,” said a sweet voice, and Harper looked up to see a woman in a caramel-colored Vera Wang that was to die for.
“I’m so happy to see you.” She sounded like Stephanie and had a similar long-limbed body and blonde hair, but the languid air was replaced by a sharp energy and quick movements.
Next to her, Harper felt Ash freeze in place, stiffening all over as the woman stepped close to him and planted a kiss on his lips.
His hands flailed out sideways as if he didn’t even want to touch her to get rid of her.
“What are you doing to my boyfriend?”
The words shot out of Harper’s mouth, and she had never wanted to un-say something so much in her life.
The woman jerked back and looked at Harper in fury.
This Harper Moment was quickly climbing to number two in the all-time worst rankings. Why had she said that?
“Who the hell are you?” demanded the woman. “I’m his girlfriend!”
“Not anymore, Emma,” snapped Ash. “I believe I have made that perfectly clear!”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Ash,” said Emma. “We’re on a break.”
“It’s a break- up,” said Ash, grabbing Harper’s hand. “I’m with Harper now. Excuse us. I don’t want to hold up the elevator.”
The elevator was operated by an actual person, just like a black and white movie, and the operator studiously stared at the handle and wheel that marked the floors as they passed. She looked anxiously up at Ash, hoping he wasn’t angry at her.
Then he looked down at her, his eyes narrowing, and he seemed to take stock of her seriously for the first time.
“Want to go get a drink?” he asked.
“God, yes,” Harper said. Maybe alcohol could make this situation better.
“Great. I know a place down the block.”
He was silent on the walk. When they entered the bar, despite a sign saying wait to be seated , he merely waved at the bartender, and went directly to a booth at the back of the room.
Harper waited for someone to yell at them, but a waiter left a table and came directly to them with a smile.
Harper stammered out her standard cocktail order.
She always ordered a gin and tonic. She liked other things, but sometimes deciding took too long for whoever she was with, and a gin and tonic could be relied on to taste the same across a spectrum of establishments.
Ash just nodded when the waitress asked if he wanted his usual.
It was a quiet bar with low lighting and velvet banquets that helped soften the noise. Harper found the atmosphere soothing after the press of people at Mason’s party. She tried to gauge how Ash was feeling. His expression seemed set to frown, but a frown could go so many ways.
Although other patrons were still waiting on their orders, the waitress returned promptly with their drinks. Harper took a sip and dove in. She might as well start her apologies now.
“I am so sorry,” said Harper.
“For what?” asked Ash, taking a healthy drink of his Scotch.
“Umm…” she nervously swirled the swizzle stick in her drink.
“I kind of… I insulted your friend’s wife.
To her face. And then I said you were my boyfriend.
Really loudly. In front of everyone.” Harper thought over the moment again.
“I was looking around the party and thinking that everyone probably thought you were my boyfriend and then I turned around and—bam! It just came out of my mouth!”
Ash grinned and gave a half-laugh.
“Emma is my ex, and Stephanie is her sister. I’ve always thought Steph was a bit on the bitchy side, but you were right, that was next level.
Mason swore that Emma wasn’t going to be there tonight.
All I wanted to do was pop in and say hello.
I can’t believe she kissed me. I completely froze. Honestly, you were brilliant.”
“Ash! I called Stephanie a bitch, lied really loudly, and, last but not least, I went to the wrong damn party.”
Ash burst out laughing. “Oh, my God. Seriously, when I tell this story, I’m not sure which part will be my favorite.”
“Please don’t tell this story! I can’t take any more Harper Moments to my reputation.”
She really couldn’t. Washington was supposed to be a Harper Moment free zone. She couldn’t afford—either socially or financially—to move again.
“Harper Moments? How often do you have Harper Moments? Can I be there when you do?”
“Sure,” said Harper. “Most normal people don’t usually want to be there when I fail to notice some vitally obvious piece of information and start talking to the coke dealer about ethical business practices.”
Ash snorted. She decided not to mention the pinnacle Harper Moment. She didn’t think she could take it if Ash found the YouTube video, but he needed to understand what he was dealing with.
“Or the time I bought a goat, thinking I bought goat meat, and told them to leave it on the back porch because I would be home in five minutes. Next thing you know, I’m trying to get a goat off my roof by myself.”
“What?” demanded Ash. “Who wouldn’t show up for that? I mean, hell, I would have shown up to hold your beer.”
“I don’t like beer, and I feel like I should be drinking ouzo or wine for goats.”
“Those do seem like the culturally appropriate beverages. But either way, I’d be there to drink and take pictures at the very least.”
“Well, thanks. But in case you didn’t notice, all your friends think I’m your girlfriend and also a massive bitch. Or crazy.”
“Yes and no,” said Ash. “Yes, everyone thinks you’re my girlfriend, but I think everyone except Emma and Stephanie really liked you.” He took a deep breath. “And actually… I don’t want to tell them any differently.”
“What?” Harper stared at Ash, puzzled.
“I need a girlfriend. I don’t suppose you’d want to sign up for the job?”