Chapter 15
“Harper, we want you to take point on the design competition. You up for it?” Tyler asked during the morning meeting.
Harper rose from her chair, visibly hesitant. “I’ve only been with Scott Industries for a few months. Shouldn’t someone with more tenure handle this?”
“The leadership team discussed it extensively,” Tyler replied. “Everyone in this room has seen what you’re capable of.”
Around the conference table, her colleagues nodded supportively, several giving her thumbs-up gestures. Seeing their genuine confidence, Harper relented. “I won’t let you down. Thanks for the opportunity.”
After the team dispersed, Tyler motioned for Harper to hang back.
“Did you need something else, Mr. Scott?” she asked, gathering her sketches.
Tyler visibly cringed at the formal address. “Seriously with the ‘Mr. Scott’ thing? We’ve had dinner together. Twice.”
Since that night when she’d accidentally revealed her burn scars over too many glasses of Cabernet, their relationship had evolved. Harper no longer actively avoided his attention, and her parents had practically adopted him during his visits. Her mother had already started the not-so-subtle campaign: “That Tyler is such a catch, don’t you think?”
Nevertheless, Harper had made it clear she wasn’t jumping into anything romantic, and they’d settled into an easy friendship.
“If there’s nothing work-related, I should probably get to brainstorming,” she said, edging toward the door.
Tyler caught her elbow gently. “Just FYI—Rodriguez Group is also competing. My industry contacts say Ruby Hale is personally heading their submission.”
Harper’s expression tightened as she immediately grasped the subtext. She nodded once. “Message received.”
The competition theme was “The Four Seasons.” Almost instantly, Harper’s creative mind circled back to her Primavera ring—the spring-inspired piece she’d once designed for Dylan. Drawing on that foundation, she conceptualized a complete seasonal collection.
Days later, Harper presented her finished portfolio to Tyler. He flipped through the renderings with growing excitement. “Holy crap, Harper. These are next-level—especially the spring piece. It’s breathtaking.”
“Results drop in two weeks. You’re coming with me to Manhattan for the ceremony, right?”
Harper felt her cheeks warm at his unfiltered enthusiasm.
When awards day arrived, Harper found herself on a jet flight to New York, Tyler fidgeting nervously beside her. He noticed her tension mounting as they entered New York airspace. “Dylan will definitely be there today. We can still back out if—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Harper cut him off firmly. “He means nothing to me now.”
Her amnesia had wiped away all memories of loving Dylan—the years of devotion, the constant rejections. But everything past the accident remained razor-sharp: his cruelty at the pool, abandoning her in the fire, humiliating her at the birthday party. Dylan Rodriguez could stay firmly in her rearview mirror.
At the venue, she entered alongside Tyler and immediately locked eyes with Dylan, who stood with Ruby practically grafted to his arm. The recognition was mutual and instant. Ruby’s lips curled into a predatory smile as she dragged Dylan directly into their path. “Well, well, look who it is!”
Rather than engage with the obvious provocation, Harper tugged at Tyler’s sleeve, attempting to steer clear.
Ruby, emboldened by Harper’s retreat, raised her voice deliberately. “Is this your rebound guy, Harper? You certainly didn’t waste any time.”
Dylan stared at them with unconcealed irritation. Though he should have been relieved that Harper had finally moved on, something in his gut clenched at the thought of her confirming a relationship with this stranger.
When Harper hesitated to respond, Ruby twisted the knife further, her voice saccharine. “Or are you still obsessing over my boyfriend? Old habits die hard, I—”
Harper was formulating a response when Tyler smoothly positioned himself between them. “Actually, Harper is with me now,” he stated with calm confidence. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d show her the basic respect she deserves.”
With that, he guided Harper away toward their assigned seats. Once settled, he immediately turned to her with concern.
“Sorry about jumping in like that. She was being such a—”
Harper touched his arm, cutting him off with a genuine smile. “Don’t apologize. That was exactly what I needed. Thank you.”