Page 51 of After the Fall

“Who are you?” Another one shouted at Harper. There was a murmur amongst the group as Harper emerged in her outfit. I crooked my arm and she slid her hand in and squeezed it hard. As we made our way to the circular gold-plated door, she dug her fingernails into my forearm. “Again?”

TWENTY-FIVE

HARPER

For the hottestrestaurant in the city, the atmosphere felt icy cold. I picked at the overpriced salad on my plate. My appetite was gone after what Wyatt admitted in the car.

I wanted to smash my plate and scream at the top of my lungs, but I knew better than to cause a scene in a public place. Besides, I wasn’t an animal. Which was more than I could say for the man sitting across from me.

“I thought you wanted the clam chowder.” It was the first Wyatt had spoken to me since we’d been led to his usual table, an intimate booth nestled deep in the corner. Everything about Salder’s screamed ostentatious, and I was regretting my decision to come somewhere so public.

Even tucked away in the corner, all eyes were trained on Wyatt and me. Hushed whispers swirled around, no doubt gossiping about Wyatt Westwood and his mystery date. I hoped that I could keep it together a little while longer, and not cause a scene.

I paused, fork midair. “And I thought you hadn’t fucked Valentina.”

Wyatt inhaled sharply. His eyes hardened as he glanced around the restaurant. “We can discuss this later,” he hissed.

The sage green walls were adorned with a mismatch of gold-plated mirrors. I could see Wyatt’s face in the large oval mirror next to me, his brow furrowed as he cut into his steak. He appeared to be a man enjoying an expensive meal, but the table shook lightly from his legs bouncing underneath the tablecloth, betraying his nerves.

I took one more bite of salad and then pushed my plate toward him. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

The waiter appeared within seconds and frowned at my barely touched plate. “Was the cobb salad not to your liking, Miss?” He glanced nervously to Wyatt, then back to me. “Perhaps I could recommend something else on the menu?”

I shook my head. “The salad is wonderful. I’m just not hungry.” I forced a smile, which seemed to appease the waiter.

“Very well, Miss. And your wagyu, Mr. Westwood?”

“Up to par, Jonathan. Thank you.”

The waiter bowed his head and disappeared across the room with my salad.

Wyatt pushed his steak around his plate. “Do you want to go home?”

“I can wait until you’re done eating.” I wasn’t in any rush to leave, knowing the massive argument we were about to have. Wyatt hadn’t just kept secrets from me – he’d lied to my face about sleeping with my enemy. Images of their naked bodies pressed up against each other kept popping into my vision. It was no wonder I’d lost my appetite.

“Mr. Westwood.” A distinguished-looking older man with salt and pepper hair appeared next to our booth. “It’s nice to have you back in the city.” He extended his hand.

Wyatt nodded. “Charles,” he said, and the two men grasped hands.

“My wife, Gina,” he said, acknowledging the copper-haired woman at his side. She looked to be at least thirty years younger than her husband, closer to my age. She smiled coyly and extended her hand to Wyatt, who dutifully shook her hand. She was gorgeous, and I felt intimidated in my casual wear, next to her couture. But I knew all of Wyatt’s smiles, and he returned the obligatory one he reserved for mingling in public. It shouldn’t have made me feel victorious, but it did.

Wyatt and the man leaned in closely and began speaking in hushed tones, leaving his wife standing alone. She extended her hand to me. “Gina.”

Not wanting to be rude, I reach out to shake her hand. “Harper.”

She had a warm handshake. “You’re all that anyone has been talking about at Salder’s today.” She whispered excitedly and leaned in closer. “And I have to say, you’re not Westwood’s usual type.”

My eyes narrowed as I prepared my retort, but Gina beat me to it. “And I approve. God, I’m so over these rich, boring trophy wives. It’s about time we had some new blood to shake things up.” She winked and pulled out a business card. “I have a feeling this may come in handy at some point in the future.” She nudged the shiny business card toward me.

The man slapped Wyatt on the shoulder and grabbed his wife’s hand. Gina gave a slight wave as they walked back to their table.

I glanced at the card on the table before sliding it into my bag, stifling a laugh.Gina Starling, Astrology & Horoscopes.

“Care to share what you find so amusing?”

My smile disappeared. “No.”

“What did you and the wife talk about just now?”