** Harper **
"So he just … left?" Chelsea asked in disbelief when Harper returned to the lounge alone.
Harper shook her head. She was still in a state of shock. What Eli had said to her was too much, and she needed time to fully process it. Then she realized that her friend was staring at her, confused by the answer, and she nodded instead.
"What the hell?" Chelsea bristled. "At least he apologized? Tell me he apologized. Though to be honest, an apology is quite far from enough for something as serious as this."
"He did, and he said sorry again for making things awkward between you and your boss." Harper slumped into the seat next to her friend. "I know what you're thinking, Chelsea, but it's more complicated than that …" She shook her head again. "Eli has a hard relationship with his father. For all the years I've known him, he's never talked much about his family, and when you asked him about it just now … Well, I can't blame him for feeling down and needing some space."
