Chapter 67

HARPER

" G irl! Just swipe it!" Aster chanted for the umpteenth time today. Jasper gave her his Platinum card before we left for our impromptu shopping spree. He woke me up with a little good morning rendezvous. After a refreshing shower and enjoying mouth-watering pastries from our favorite bakery, along with a hazelnut coffee, Aster showed up to surprise me.

I refused Jasper's card. Since I had just gotten my first advance for my novel I was still in the process of writing, I wanted to use my own money. Once I pushed Jasper's card away for the third time in twenty minutes, he finally stopped offering it to me and handed it to Aster, along with a list of items he wanted me to buy, including some nightwear. Aster had no problem accepting it on my behalf.

I reminded him that he would be making another donation to a charity when we got home to which he had no qualms. I honestly didn't expect him to hold up his end of the bargain, but so far he's made donations to seven organizations in the last few months each one no less important than the other.

"I don't know, this is way too much to pay for a bra and panty set. I could eat for a month on that amount."

I yanked the curtain open, giving Aster a clear view of the set she had chosen in a candy apple red. It took at least thirty minutes to get me to agree to try it on. I don't wear lingerie. I never had any reason for it before now.

I walked over to a large mirror and looked into it, I barely recognized the woman I saw through it. I no longer see that scared timid little girl I used to be, I see a strong independent woman with so much to offer this world. My skin is glowing and the bags that once hung underneath my green eyes have disappeared. I smiled to myself knowing that eventually, all the trauma that held me back from living will one day be a faint memory that no longer haunts me.

One step at a time.

I was jolted back to reality by a clicking noise behind me. Turning around, I saw Aster with a very guilty smirk holding her cell phone in front of her. I tried to grab a piece of clothing hanging nearby but the damage had already been done. There was no stopping her. I knew exactly what she was going to do with that photo.

"Jasper is going to go completely feral when he sees this." she teased. Red-faced and embarrassed I stomped over to the dressing room.

"I'm now accepting applications for a new best friend." I slammed the dressing room door, to make Aster believe I was truly mad at her. If she had done something like this a few months ago…actually, I wouldn't have even tried this on in the first place.

"Shut up bioch, I'm irreplaceable, and besides, we aren't best friends, we're sisters and don't you forget it, Ever," Aster yelled through the door, showing me just how unbothered she was by my threats. Just as I pulled my jeans back up over my hips, my cell buzzed on the bench in the corner of the dressing room. I didn't have to look to know it was Jasper, because of the unique chime Jasper set his notifications to.

"Why don't you try something on? So I could snap a photo of you and send it to Max." I snickered to myself knowing that statement alone would get under her skin.

"Not. He doesn't deserve to see any of this perfection."

They have denied that they like each other for weeks, but anyone with eyes could see something brewing between them. I hope they figure it out soon.

"It would be fun to double date and stuff, maybe a picture of you in something smoking hot would light a fire under him and he'd ask you out." I taunted as I opened my phone to read the message from Jasper.

‘Buy one in every color.'

That was the only thing written across my screen. My face immediately heated.

"Aster! you really sent that to Jasper?" I snapped, from the dressing room. All that I heard was the echo of her hysterics as she threw her head back and laughed so hard her eyes watered.

"I hope you choke." I spit as I stood there watching her laugh at my expense.

"I'm serious. Was it at least a good picture?" I demanded answers, as she continued to laugh and gasp for air. She picked up her phone and sent me the photo before she said anything else. I glanced at the photo as it came across my screen. I threw my hands over my mouth mortified, thinking at least it wasn't a terrible picture. Aster watched my reaction as she swiped the tears from her face.

"It's a pretty great picture Harper you should be thanking me, He's going to devour you in that." Considering I haven't told her about our sexual endeavors I was surprised at her statement. Not that it wasn't completely like her to say something like that.

"Oh come on I know you two are knocking boots. I'm just insulted you haven't spilled the tea." She said as the sales lady walked back in with a handful of robes, bustiers, thongs, bras, and garters, everything a high-class hooker would need for a night of escorting. I gave her a confused look as she set them all up in my dressing room. I glanced at Aster, assuming she was the one who had requested such risqué pieces, but she just shrugged and continued aimlessly scrolling through her phone.

"Mr. Whitlock requested these be brought to you in your size. If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask. I didn't realize who you were, I apologize for my and my staff's oversight." Her cheeks were red as she dismissed herself with a nod.

I looked over at Aster who now sat fully alert with widened eyes.

"Oh.My.God." she mouthed almost inaudibly just before she let out the most girly squeal I've ever heard from her.

"Look what you did." I taunted.

"Me? It was your hot body in the photo. This is technically your fault." She laughed and ran to the dressing room, eagerly examining the pieces brought to me. There were at least thirty pieces, all different styles and coverage but all had one thing in common, each item in a shade of red. My cheeks flushed at the realization and the thought of Jasper seeing me in person.

"Well, better get started. I'm sure he's going to want a fashion show tonight when you get home." She giggled at her suggestive comment. I let out a small gasp.

"You're probably right," I whispered, my eyes wide with horror as I stared at her.