14
Rushing past Ryske and Lena, Harlow took hold of Rupert’s arms. “Don’t freak out. I know this is a lot.”
“It’s more than a lot,” Rupert said, driving a hand through his hair. “Your father is going to kill me.”
“He won’t,” Harlow said. “He will be disappointed and I’m sorry, Rupe, but you have to take that on the chin.”
His eyes fixed on hers. “What were we thinking?”
“You were thinking that you were lonely. That you were in shock and weren’t in your right mind. It’s just one of those things.”
“Hey,” Ryske snapped, making her turn. Wearing a scowl, he shook his head. “Don’t make excuses for him.”
Letting go of Rupert, she faced Ryske, folding her arms. “Oh, are we going to fight about this now?”
“Yeah,” Ryske said. “Yeah, we are.” Easing Lena aside so she was a safe distance away
