Harper and Maddox froze when they saw each other, and Tobias winced. “It didn’t occur to you that the door was locked for a reason?” he asked his brother.

Maddox blinked several times. “Sorry, I didn’t expect… You’ve never mentioned a… I should’ve waited,” he finished lamely and glanced back at the door, which was standing open since he’d been too shocked to bother closing it. “Should I go now? Or do I at least get an introduction?”

Tobias rubbed his forehead with three fingers. Although he didn’t want Harper to suffer any backlash for being with him, he wasn’t worried about that right now. He knew his brother wouldn’t say anything to anyone, except maybe Jada, who’d be just as discreet. He was more concerned about the warnings his brother would voice when they were alone later. While class and station had never mattered less in their society than they did now, it was still a problem for an ex-con to want someone like Harper. “Maybe I can call you later,” he said to his brother.

“Okay…” Maddox turned to go but Harper stopped him.

“No, you can stay,” she said and, after setting the bedding aside, made one failed attempt to smooth down her hair before holding out her hand. “I’m Harper.”

She didn’t provide her last name and Tobias could easily guess why, but that didn’t give her the anonymity she craved. Maddox’s eyebrows slid up. “Not Harper Devlin…”

Squaring her shoulders, she lifted her chin. “Yes, as a matter of fact.”

“Axel Devlin’s wife,” Maddox clarified.

“Ex-wife,” she corrected him. “My divorce will be final tomorrow.”

“That’s a relief. I mean, I—I’m sorry… Divorces are rough,” he finished, still obviously off center.

“Yes, they are,” she agreed.

“I didn’t realize you knew my brother. Or, rather, that he knew you.”

“We met at the Eatery the other night.”

“That’s a good restaurant.” He scratched his neck. “Well…welcome to Silver Springs. I hope you like the area.”

“Thank you. I do. It’s lovely here.”

“How’d you know Axel Devlin’s wife was in town?” Tobias asked.

“Are you kidding?” Maddox replied. “I’m the principal of a girls’ school, remember? She’s all I’ve heard about for the past week.”

“Maddox works at the same school I do,” Tobias explained to Harper.

“I work on the girls’ side, and Tobias works on the girls’ and boys’ sides, but we see each other often,” Maddox said, elaborating.

The way Harper folded her arms across her chest gave Tobias the impression that she was somewhat self-conscious about her appearance. “Then it’s a good thing you two get along.”