Page 138 of Nothing to Tell

“You were at the house?”

“You said it’s time to figure out what’s important and Robyn wants to be with you.Forever with you.Was what she said.”

Not that she remembered it word for word or anything.Oh, and look at that, she’d managed to hit awkward all on her own.No attendant or assistance required.She was the star player.Maybe that was Roxie’s point.

“You heard that and left?”

“You wanted forever.Marriage and babies.Proposals and big engagement parties.You can have the life you deserve with the woman you love.”

“I hope so.”

His hand rose, but she bounded backward, spine hitting the door, and, unfortunately, making eye contact in the shock.Damn.Damn.Damn.Double damn.He looked so amazing.

“Bastian,” his name left her lips in a quiet exhale.

“If you’d stuck around another five minutes, Sweet, you’d have heard me say I did want all those things, but not from her.I want them from one person.One incredible person.I want them from you and only you.”

Thump.Thump.Thump.Her heart battered her ribs.Entranced by his gaze, it was only his dimple that stole their attention.

“I don’t understand.”

“I know,” he said, his smile only growing.“I thought maybe you’d figure it out on your own, but now knowing you better, I’ve learned it’s best to spell things out.”

“What are you… spelling?”

“I love you,” he said and let that rest for a few seconds.“I’ve loved you since probably the moment I heard your voice, no, the first time I smelled that lotion.”He almost went for a laugh.“I want to be with you, Harper.No one else.”

“But Robyn—”

“Called and said it was important.I met her at the house, she said her piece, but I don’t love Robyn.I never loved Robyn.”

Clarity.“Your mom knew that.”

The explanation just slipped out.That was maybe why Robyn felt the Hunt women didn’t fully embrace her.

“Yes, she probably did.She also knew I was in love with you before I did.I want a future with the woman I love, not only as a friend, but as my world.You, Harper.”

“I don’t understand.”

This time he did laugh.“And that’s one of the most incredible things about you.”His touch trailed down her temple.“Will you trust me?Trust me to know this is the only right thing for me.”

“It was fake.”

“That was an excuse,” he said.“I thought it would be enough to have you, but I’m done with you pulling away and beating yourself up.It’s time we sit down and talk about what’s important to us.”

“For the future?Like you and Robyn?”

“Breaking up with her was a given.We didn’t talk about the future in the way you think.I basically said we didn’t want marriage and kids with each other, so why were we wasting each other’s time?We went our separate ways.It was amicable.I’ve heard she broke up with someone else in the last couple of weeks.”

Hence calling Bastian to the house.

“She wanted to rebound with you, somewhere safe,” she said and drew in a long breath.“I can understand that.”

“But it’s not safe.I’m not safe.I won’t be safe for anyone except you.”

“I don’t want a big engagement party.”

Not the point or the time.Stupid brain.