Ghostly Deceits (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

very sweet sentiment,” Zander said. “I’m talking, though.”
    Jared shot Zander a dark look. “You’re starting to get on my nerves.”
    Zander pressed his finger to his lips. “Shh.”
    Despite her nervous reaction, Harper couldn’t help but giggle at Zander’s antics. “Don’t fight.”
    “We’re not fighting,” Zander said. “If we were fighting, I would be winning, though. Now, you’re nervous about meeting an old friend of Jared’s, but you’re equally nervous about dressing up and playing nice with people you don’t know.
    “You’re a business woman, Harp,” he continued. “You know how to schmooze people. You’re going to be fine. You know how to do small talk and you’re going to have your hunky boyfriend at your side to make sure you’re never uncomfortable.”
    “I’m not sure I like being called ‘hunky.’”
    “Shut up, Jared,” Zander warned, never moving his eyes from Harper. “This is a big deal for you, Harp, and if you don’t want the added pressure of explaining what you do for a living – which I totally understand, by the way – I have a suggestion for a lie that’s not really a lie.”
    Harper leaned forward, intrigued. “What?”
    “No, I don’t want her to lie,” Jared interjected. “There’s no reason to lie. If people don’t like what she does they can shove it up their … .”
    “It’s quiet time, Jared,” Zander said, patting his knee. “Let me handle this. I know what I’m doing.”
    “I want to hear his suggestion,” Harper said. “I am really nervous. This might make me feel better.”
    “Fine.” Jared gave in, resigned. “What is this grand idea?”
    “You can tell people you give haunted Michigan tours,” Zander suggested. “It’s not a lie. We do them several times a year. It’s part of our job. That will make you sound bohemian and chic and still allow you to keep the other part of our job – the one where you can see and talk to ghosts – a secret.”
    “I like that idea,” Harper said. “Can we do that?” She turned to Jared, a hopeful expression on her face.
    “Sure,” Jared said. “If that will make you comfortable, I’m all for it. I’m also comfortable with you telling the truth, though. If you change your mind and want to come clean, I’ll be right there with you.”
    “Thank you for that,” Harper said. “Zander is right, though. I’m nervous. I don’t remember the last time I was nervous, but I can’t help myself. I’ll be wearing weird clothes. This is our first trip together. I’m meeting an old friend of yours. It’s … daunting.”
    “I remember the last time you were nervous,” Zander said. “It was when you two finally had your first date – which led to your first round of sex – and you both were messes. Who got you through that?”
    “We did,” Jared said.
    “That’s right, I did,” Zander said, ignoring Jared. “You’re going to be fine, Harp. I promise you that everything is going to work out. Jared has your back … and if he doesn’t, I’m only a phone call away.”
    Jared narrowed his eyes. “I think I can handle this,” he said. “Besides, it’s not all going to be strangers. The murder mystery is being held at the Stokes Hotel. It belongs to Josh’s parents. They’ll be there, too, along with a few other members of his family and maybe even some people we went to college with. She’s going to be fine.”
    “Awesome,” Zander said, grabbing three dresses from the pile and striding toward the closet. “Harp, I’m packing your dresses in Jared’s garment bag to make things easier. Put all your naughty things in that small bag I got for you.”
    “Yes, sir,” Harper grumbled, causing Jared to smirk. She moved to get up, but Jared stopped her with a hand on her hip. “What?”
    “I promise you’re going to have fun,” Jared said. “Please don’t be nervous. I know you can’t help yourself, but … this is going to be great. It’s our first official