Oddly enough, Harper was keen on that idea. “Well ... eventually we’ll make it happen. Right now, though, we’ve got to suck it up. This isn’t our scene, but we’re all out here for GHI. This will be good for our business if we can get it right.”
“I guess.” Zander dug through the tub of soft drinks and came up with two cans. “I don’t want to ruin their good time. It’s just ... this is so not the life I saw myself living.”
“No? What sort of life did you see yourself living?”
“I kind of thought I would marry someone like Elton John and we would move to an English castle and get pampered every day without having to lift a finger.”
Harper barked out a laugh. “Well, I never considered that as a viable lifestyle, but it’s an interesting point. That sounds like a fine dream. You would be bored of that life in five minutes flat, though.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” She wrapped her fingers around his arm and drew his full attention to her. “You love Shawn because he challenges you. All those guys you dated before him — the ones with bad back hair and oddly spaced toes — bored you from the start. Shawn is your match.”
“I know.” Zander didn’t perk up at the news. “Who knew I would fall in love with a camper? It kind of makes you wonder about my sanity, huh?”
That had Harper laughing even harder. “I think you’re perfectly sane. This is our new reality, though. We need to do what’s right for them for a change. They’re always there for us. We owe them.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to be keeping score in a relationship.”
“And I’m pretty sure all you do is keep score.”
“I guess.” He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Do you think he’ll reward me when we get home if I’m a good sport?”
“I think it depends on what you want as a reward.”
“I’m thinking a spa day for just you and me.”
Harper’s expression softened. “I think that’s definitely a possibility.”
JARED AND SHAWN WERE ALREADY SEATED, heaping trays of food in front of them, when Harper and Zander joined them.
“I was just about to go looking for you,” Jared noted, barbecue sauce on both cheeks. “How come it took you so long?”
“No reason.” Harper grinned at him as she leaned in and studied the sauce on his cheeks. “Honestly, I’ve never loved you more.”
He shot her a wink and reached for a napkin. “I feel that way about you every day of our lives.”
“So, sweet.” She turned to the front of the pavilion at the sound of someone clearing his throat. She wasn’t surprised to find Harris standing there, his chest puffed out, and his eyes full of merriment. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he intoned, his voice echoing over the concrete. “I want to thank you for joining us for our kickoff event. We’re thrilled to have you with us, and hope you enjoy what we have planned.”
Scattered applause broke out and Harper took a moment to count the heads in the room. There were fifteen people participating, some she’d yet to share a smile with let alone say hello to.
“I want everyone to enjoy their dinner,” he continued. “Things will start happening fast in the next hour or so. Does anybody have any questions?”
A middle-aged man at one of the other tables raised his hand. “I have one. How will we know when the event starts?”
Harris’ grin grew so wide it threatened to swallow his entire face. “I don’t think there will be any doubt when the event starts. You won’t be able to mistake it for anything else. Trust me.”
Harper slid her eyes to Jared. “I’m guessing he’s going to go for a big opening.”
“Me, too.” Jared tapped the side of her platter. “Eat. You need to make sure you’re all fueled up for what’s to come.”
“Speaking of that, I think we should come up with a plan,” Shawn interjected.
“What sort of plan?” Zander daintily held up a rib and made a face. “Could they have come up with something a little messier?”
“Probably not,” Harper replied on a laugh as she bit into one of her ribs. She knew from the way the bone hit her cheek that she probably had sauce all over her face. She’d never been happier to be free of makeup. “They’re really good, though.”
“Really good,” Jared agreed, using a napkin to dab at Harper’s cheek. He seemed to be having a great time. “What sort of plan are you talking about, Shawn?”
“Just a plan as to how we’re going to handle this,” Shawn replied, unwrapping a freshly grilled ear of corn. “My understanding is that we’re to treat it as a competition. Teams work separately and together to overcome certain obstacles. Obviously we’re our own team.”
“Obviously,” Harper agreed. “I don’t know that we can plan anything out. I mean ... it’s going to be all new to us.”
“It is,” Shawn agreed. “I think we should have a central meeting place in case we get separated, though.”
“Oh, I agree,” Harper said as she reached for her corn. She’d given up trying to keep her face clean. “I think, if anybody gets separated from the group, the rule should be that we meet up back here.”
Jared balked. “I would prefer nobody get separated from the group.”
“I think we would all prefer that,” Harper said. “The thing is, we can’t guarantee it. We can only do the best that we can to stick together. It’s always best to have a backup plan and this is ours.”
“Fair enough. I still don’t want you and Zander wandering off together.” He was stern. “You could get lost.”
“Hey!” Zander’s eyes flashed. “I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent navigator.”
Jared didn’t bother to hide his eye roll.
