What We Do in the Night (Day to Night #1) - Stylo Fantome Page 0,112

don't you just walk out that door and we'll never speak of this again. After you give me my key.”

“Are you kidding?” she shrieked. “I was fucking a future partner at one of the best law firms in the country – you're fucking some trashy whore from my design management class! How could you be with Valentine of all people? Are you trying to embarrass me?”

Ari held very still, the full weight of the shitty day crashing down on him. Just a moment, that's what he'd been asking for all day, but instead, the universe just kept piling shit on. He hadn't wanted anyone to know about Valentine yet because he didn't want Harper knowing. Valentine needed that design management grade, she'd said, and it hinged on Harper and their group project.

“What makes you think I'm with her?” he asked.

“Oh jeez,” Harper groaned, rolling her eyes. “Daddy was right, you do think I'm an idiot.”

“I always thought your father was very astute.”

She glared at him, then dipped behind the couch and picked something up. She held it up and away from herself, as if she thought it was infectious.

It was Valentine's purple backpack. He'd recognize the faded, worn material anywhere, mostly because she was never without it. In her fancy club clothes, in her pajamas, in her tatty jeans and t-shirts, even all dressed up, she had that ridiculous bag with her. She could fit most of her world inside it, and often did, carrying it to and fro everywhere she went. She'd never left it behind before, ever. For it to be in his apartment, she must have left in a hurry before coming to see him.

That's right. She didn't have it with her when I saw her. She only had that stupid helmet. Not even a jacket. I didn't even realize.

“I mean, besides the fact that it's full of her shit – including her wallet – it's also got her fucking name on it,” Harper snarled, pointing at the front of the bag. Beneath the backpack's logo, someone had scribbled St. Valentine, then decorated it with hearts and crosses. No doubt a friend from the club. Ari smiled at it.

“I don't know what to tell you,” he sighed. “Valentine and I ... we're none of your business.”

She let out a disgusted snort and dropped the bag. It bounced off the couch, then fell to the floor, spilling its contents onto the floor.

“Ug, disgusting. You need to go to the clinic and get checked.”

“I guess that's not really your concern, is it?”

“Are you kidding? Of course it's my concern! If I'm going to marry you and have to share a home with you, I'm not getting herpes from some toilet seat!” she snapped. His eyebrows shot up.

“That's not how you get herpes, and also, why on earth would you think I'd ever marry you? I dumped you!” he shouted. He almost wondered if he'd gotten into a car accident and this was some sort of fever dream. It was simply too surreal.

“People like us don't break up just because we're sleeping around,” Harper said it as if it were the most obvious thing ever. “You just need to learn to be more discreet, and have better taste. But it'll be okay.”

“Are you fucking joking?” he laughed. “Harper, you're fucking insane. Get the fuck out of my home.”

“You're being so childish, Ari! Do you think my parents are faithful? Do you think yours were? Of course not! We can work through this, people like us belong together. She'll never fit in with your life, with your friends. That's why you haven't been seen anywhere with her, that's why no one knows about her. You're ashamed of her, as you should be.”

Enough.

Ari strode around the couch, startling Harper. She backed into the wall behind her, then held up her hands when he started rifling through her clothing. He found his key in her back pocket and tossed it over onto his bed. Then he grabbed her by the arm and started propelling her out of the apartment.

“What do you think you're doing?” she demanded, trying to dig in her heels.

“I'm kicking you the fuck out, that's what I'm doing,” he replied, yanking open the front door.

“What? You can't do that! You can't kick me out! I'm Harper Kittering!” she shrieked, grabbing onto the door frame. He pried her fingers loose, then shoved her into the hallway.

“If you come back here again, I'll get you thrown out by security,” he warned her.