He froze. Only two people called him that, and one of them was Ned, who’d already left.
“Evan?”
He stood there, handsome and put together as always. His face gleamed a rich, russet brown as if he’d recently returned from a sunny vacation. Onyx-black eyes reflected a healthy appreciation as they slowly traveled over him. Harper’s grip tightened on his shoulders.
“Looking good. Congrats on the book. Guess you broke out of your slump.”
“You could say that. In more ways than one.” He smiled into Harper’s eyes. “This is my partner, Harper Rose.”
“Partner?”
“What’re you here for?” Harper’s belligerent tone wasn’t missed by Evan, whose brows rose.
“Whoa, I’m just here to wish Cole well.”
Colson didn’t believe that for a hot second and folded his arms. “Is that so? How nice of you, considering I haven’t heard one word from you since you walked out. Where’s your better half? You know, the one you have your best days ever with?”
Evan flushed. “Uh, we broke up about two months ago. He’s still in Paris.”
Luis came up to him with David. “We’re going to go to the garage. I think David’s a little tired. Meet you there?”
“In a minute, yeah.”
Colson knew it would be longer than a minute.
Evan gazed after Luis and David. “What’s with him?”
Colson could feel Harper draw a deep breath, and he took his hand and squeezed it. Hard.
“Himis David. Harper’s brother. Which makes him my brother as well. I have a new life, and I’ve never been happier.” Trying to soften the blow, he gentled his tone. “Look, Evan, it’s nice that you came by, but I’m not interested in renewing an old acquaintance or being friends or seeing you at all. Harper is all I need.” He lifted his and Harper’s hands.
Evan’s jaw worked hard, and then he walked away.
“He had a lot of fucking nerve showing up here,” Harper grumbled.
“Funny. I haven’t thought about him in a very long time. I have such a full life, filled with so much positivity, I don’t have time for the negative.” He laid his head on Harper’s shoulder. “It’s been a hell of a day. I’m ready to go home and just be with you.”
“Me too.” Harper nudged his cheek with his nose. “Do you know, that’s the best part of my day? Just being with you, knowing you’re there and that we have each other…it helps me get through it.”
“I’ll always be there with you and for you.”
Harper kissed his cheek. “Ready?”
At one time, he’d believed he’d never have what so many took for granted. He’d covered his body with tattoos of beautiful, winged creatures, wishing he could disappear and leave the ugly loneliness behind. Now he soared high. There was no longer any need to fly away. He had it all. A home. Family. Love.
He and Harper had love so strong, he woke up every day believing in miracles because he was living his truth and it wasn’t a dream. It was real and everything he’d ever wanted.
“I’m ready. Let’s go home.”
