Before Stefani could answer, Harper came out of nowhere and
sashayed up to the bar. She was dressed in a short denim skirt, a low-cut light
blue blouse which showed ample cleavage, and navy heels. Deacon's eyes were
immediately drawn to her like a magnet.
Stefani's heart fell. She hadn't been enough to keep Deacon
interested once Harper entered the picture. Even though Deacon claimed he loved
the outdoors, when he was indoors, Harper would be his preferred partner.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she said throwing her arms
around Stefani's neck. "Forgive me?" She turned her head and noticed
Deacon sitting next to Stefani. She immediately stepped back from Stefani and
with hands on hips beamed at Deacon. "I'm surprised to see you here,"
she said with a phony accent.
Stefani's eyes narrowed. What a liar! She shot Harper a
steely look. Harper lifted an eyebrow slightly. The only reason Harper asked
her out tonight was to pretend they were having a girls' night out and then act
surprised if she ran into Deacon. She'd obviously planned to come in late then
feign surprise at seeing him. Stefani fumed, but she had no one to blame but
herself for allowing Harper to use her to serve her own purposes. What did it
matter? Deacon hadn't shown anything more than a friendly interest in her.
She'd made it out to be more than it clearly was only because that
was what she so badly wanted. Deacon had shared some friendly chitchat, nothing
more. She couldn't even blame him for leading her on because he hadn't.
