“That’s unfortunate.”
A laugh escaped him. “And why’s that? I’m perfectly fine as I am.”
“I know you think I’m an old lady who says and does silly things.” She became serious. “When I was young, I danced with a world-famous ballet company in Europe and lived a dream life. All the doors were open to me, and I mingled with royalty, as well as artists and designers. I had my own money and wasn’t beholden to anyone. I picked my lovers and did whatever I wanted. I thought it would last forever.”
Fascinated, Harper asked, “What happened?”
“Life, dear boy.” She gazed at her swollen hands. “I grew older, and they replaced me. Once I was no longer onstage, memories of my accomplishments faded, and so did I. Peoplemoved on and stopped inviting me. I was left alone, with my pictures and faded dresses and dreams.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, and her expression turned surprisingly fierce. “You’re young, and I hate thinking of you alone.”
“I’m not alone.” Now that the first words had been spoken, he couldn’t stem the flow. “I have a brother. He’s brain-damaged and wheelchair-bound, and he lives with me.” Millie’s evident shock was nothing compared to his own and the knowledge that he was revealing this most intimate part of his life to someone he barely knew. And yet Harper couldn’t help feeling it was the right thing to do. “He’s been like that since a bus accident when he was five. David’s twenty-five now. I have someone who cares for him when I’m not there.” His chest heaved as if he’d run a marathon.
“Oh, Detective. I’m so sorry.” Millie looked truly stricken. “Your brother is a very lucky man to have someone so caring. And you keep him at home with you? You’ve never considered having him live in a specialized facility?”
“Never,” he responded, swift and firm. “He’s my brother. I promised to always take care of him.”
“Promised who?”
“My mother.” He blinked as if he’d woken from a fog. “I have to go. I’m sorry. I’ll get that cigarette butt to the lab and let you know if we find anything.”
To his relief, this time Millie didn’t insist he stay. As much as he liked her, Harper didn’t think he could face her again. She was a sweet lady, but if she called, he’d make sure Nolan handled it. Her suggestion that he and Colson could have a relationship…Millie’s own loneliness had precipitated that remark. The wishes of a lonely lady trying to live vicariously through him.
But he knew better. Colson might say he was a homebody, but he would want a life that included dining out and travel. Events and parties. Things couples did. Things Harper couldn’t do on the regular.
Passing by Colson’s house, he gazed up and saw the light was on in the bedroom. Were they in there together? Naked and touching each other? Kissing?
His ragged breath roared in his ears, and his hands balled into fists. Harper had a vision of going in, pulling that jerk off Colson, and kicking him out of the house.
Then the bedroom went dark, and Harper stood there, ugly thoughts swirling in his mind, his emotions battering and bruising him from the inside of his heart. He put his head down, and unwilling to think about what might be going on between Colson and his date, he walked away.
He strode the length of the Promenade and back, wrestling with the devil on his shoulder. It was eight o’clock, and he needed to get home to David and say good night. The love of his brother was the only thing Harper needed. Everyone else could go to hell. But that didn’t stop him from walking past Colson’s house on his way home. No lights were on. He kept on moving.
Chapter Fifteen
Colson knew the date was a mistake. The more Danny mentioned his ex, the more Colson knew Danny Forman was not his type of guy. Not to mention, Colson had promptly forgotten all about him after they’d met at brunch. Harper was the only man on his mind. And in his bed.
Except he wasn’t.
Colson had thought they were becoming intimate. Not only sexually, which was insanely hot and passionate, but they had an emotional connection. He was making inroads with Harper, getting glimpses behind the walls, and it was those times—when Harper let his guard down and showed him a sweet, tender side—that Colson could see himself falling for this man.
Yet days had passed with Harper giving him a litany of excuses why they couldn’t see each other, then going silent. Realizing he’d been ghosted, Colson alternated between being heartsick over a man he barely knew and angry that he’d dared to dream of possibilities.
It was only because he was still in his head about the book that he’d said yes to dinner with Danny Forman. He’d fallenasleep at his desk, and the phone’s ringing woke him. He’d automatically hit Accept Call.
That was how they’d wound up at some expensive sushi restaurant in the neighborhood, where Danny had tried to impress him with stories about his trip to Tokyo with his ex and the fabulous meals they’d had. He’d talked about all the other countries he’d been to, and Colson had listened and nodded in all the right places but wished he were home. He’d never enjoyed the résumé building on dates and preferred things to come naturally. Finding Harper in Millie’s front yard, an overwhelming desire had hit him to leave Danny and go sit with Harper in Millie’s cozy kitchen and eat something homemade and full of sugar.
Dammit, he missed his grandparents.
And Harper.
He hadn’t planned on inviting Danny inside, but the man had followed him up the stairs, and Colson had felt he’d had no choice.
“Coffee?”
Danny stopped wandering around and flashed him a grin. “Sure. If you don’t have anything stronger.”
