That statement hit home and almost brought tears to her eyes. No, she didn’t have a relationship with them. Nor with her sister. She didn’t have any friends. She had no one. She had her “people,” that was all. There was simply…no one.

“I’m sorry,” Harper said. “I can’t really relate to your situation, so I have no right to criticize it or offer you suggestions. I’m sorry.”

Dani waved her apology away. “It’s okay. I’m used to being alone.”

Harper sat down again. “But why, Dani? You’re a beautiful woman. Why are you alone? Why are you content with that?”

“I’m not content. I’m…I’m lonely.” Dani tilted her head, turning the tables on Harper. “Why are you alone?”

Harper clenched her jaw. “Totally unrelated subject.” She stood up quickly. “I’m going to check on our pizza.”

Obviously, Harper had no intention of discussing her own personal life, despite the many questions she had for Dani. She watched her open the front door, pushing down the panic she felt at the prospect of being alone in the house. Harper stepped out, then turned, glancing over her shoulder.

“Lock the door behind me. I’ll be right back.”

Dani hurried to the door, doing as instructed as soon as the door closed. She turned her back to the door and leaned against it. She’d hidden her sexuality for so many years, it was strange to be talking about it now, as she and Harper had been doing. And strange, too, that Harper was so guarded about her own personal life. Why was she alone? If she had to take a guess, she would assume it was something tragic. Harper’s eyes told her that.

She pushed off from the door, then literally jumped when her phone rang. She hadn’t even given it much thought the last few days. There were only a handful of people who knew her number and those in her inner circle knew not to call unless it was an emergency. She went to her bag and pulled out her phone, relieved to see that it was Shelly.

“Hey…what’s up?” she asked as nonchalantly as she could.

“I was just checking on you,” Shelly said. “Everything okay?”

“Fine,” she lied. “I’ve been given VIP treatment here.”

“Well, I would hope so. I wanted to let you know that Pamela lined up an interview with People for when you get back. And they’re still clamoring for you to do one of the late night shows.”

Dani blew out her breath. “Put People off. We’ll schedule something later.”

“But Danielle, Pamela said—”