Harper's POV:
"Harper?"
His hand landed on my shoulder and I flinched. The contact burned through my blouse like he'd pressed hot metal against my skin.
I couldn't look at him. Couldn't make my mouth work. The chandelier above us was spinning or maybe I was spinning and the carpet underneath my heels felt like it was tilting sideways.
"I thought this would make you happy." His voice cracked on the last word.
"What happened? Why are you just standing there?"
"I don't..." My throat closed around the words and I had to force them out one at a time. "I don't know how I feel about this, Hardin."
The confession spilled faster now and I couldn't stop it, couldn't control the way my voice was climbing higher and louder. "I wanted to get Meridian myself. Me. Not you swooping in like some her
