“All right. Why don’t we go into the living room? Want a beer?”
“I’d love one.”
He followed Colson into the house, admiring the high tin ceilings, crown molding, and original inlaid wooden floors. The kitchen was ultramodern, equipped with all the bells and whistles. “Nice reno job. You obviously love to cook.”
A harsh laugh escaped Colson. “No, not at all. I did it for Evan, my ex. He fancied himself an amateur chef.”
Harper noted the top-of-the-line appliances and cookware. Luis would go buck wild in this kitchen. He, on the other hand,was a whiz at tuna salad, grilled cheese, and heating up tomato soup.
“What was his specialty?”
“Lying to me.”
Narrowing his eyes, he frowned. “Sounds like a real piece of shit.”
Colson shrugged. “I didn’t realize it until he left, but I guess I wasn’t the best judge of character.” He handed Harper his beer. “You know how it is. You want to believe everything they say because you care about them.” He took a drink of his beer. “But I can’t blame Evan completely. I was suffering with burnout, producing nothing, feeling sorry for myself, and a virtual hermit. He met me at my best, and then I turned into the worst.”
“He cheated, I presume?” Harper already hated the bastard. Not only for cheating, but for the fact that Colson still cared.
“Yeah. I guess about a year and a half into our relationship. I’m not a social media person—I had a personal assistant to post for me on Instagram and wherever. My focus had to be the writing. And Evan was aware of that. Turns out all those late nights at the office were more than a meeting of the minds.” A crooked smile tilted his lips.
“It sucks to be lied to and taken advantage of.”
“No cheating exes in the wings with you?” Colson asked.
He thought of Ronnie and how he’d wanted Harper to stick David in a home to make it easier. He didn’t want to have to deal with his everyday care. In fact, he didn’t want to see David at all.
“No. None at all.”
The doorbell rang, and Colson left him to get the delivery.
“Ready to eat?”
Harper downed the rest of his beer. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
For what, Harper wasn’t certain, but he was breathless, as if he stood on the edge of a precipice, gazing into a wide-open space. His heart pounded, and he couldn’t shake the feeling he was missing something. Something momentous that would change his life.
All he had to do was take that first step, and he’d be free.
Chapter Nine
Colson set the delivery bag on the kitchen island, all the while studying a suddenly nervous Harper. Something had happened while they’d been discussing Evan. Harper had said he had no exes—unsurprising to Colson, as he presumed from Harper’s behavior he was a lone wolf. And yet Colson sensed he was hiding something.
Did Harper think he was looking for something permanent between them? They needed to set that straight, especially after that mind-blowing kiss.
“I feel like I should say something because I think you’re mistaken about me.”
Harper took another swallow of his beer, set the bottle on the island, and crossed his arms. “How so?”
“I think you believe I’m looking for another relationship, while the exact opposite is true.”
“Is it?” Harper cocked his head. “You lived with your ex for how long—almost three years?”
Colson so didn’t want to talk about Evan. He walked away. “Yeah, so? Everyone’s entitled to make a mistake.”
Harper followed him. “Are you sure that’s what it was?”
He whirled around. “Why are you so interested in my ex? It’s over and done with. He’s gone, and I’m fine with it. I’ve moved on.”
