Ashcroft let out a bark of laughter, leaning back in his chair before throwing a playful punch into his palm. “Porn is cheap! Why not the real deal?”
Harper didn’t miss a beat, flashing him a sly smile. “Because, genius, sometimes theory helps before practice. Observation is part of learning—control, rhythm, timing… even inspiration. You don’t just throw someone into the ring without sparring first, do you?”
Ashcroft raised his brows, conceding with a smirk, and the table erupted into light laughter.
Not long after, lunch wound down, plates half-finished as conversation melted into easy chatter. Harper sprang to her feet with her usual energy, looping her arm through Maya’s. “Come on, sunshine. You and I have work to do.”
Maya’s eyes widened in alarm. “Harper—”
“Nope.” Harper tugged h
