Page 15 of Nothing to Tell

“Who he really was.I’m grateful to Charissa for saving me from that.If it hadn’t been for tonight… for you, for this… thank you.”

“Then my work is done,” he said, skimming the tip of his index finger down to her cheekbone.

“I suppose it is,” she whispered.

Singledom was just fine with her if a man like Damon was the alternative.

Bastian flashed his dimple.There it was.Her smile quickly followed.She wasn’t ready to leave his arms and settled close.The dance gave her cover to enjoy the man sharing their secret.

They’d never cross paths again.Eventually the music would fade, just as Bastian would from her life.For a short time, they’d belonged to each other.Bastian might not realize it, but he’d given her a gift she wouldn’t forget for the rest of her life.

SIX

Bastian

ANYONE COULD BE forgiven for believing he’d stopped thinking about her.He hadn’t.

In his office, at his vast oak desk that separated him from his rambling mother, Bastian shouldn’t be distracted by memories of Harper’s scent.Yet there he was.

“Bastian,” Carolyn Hunt said to her son.“Are you listening to me?”

No was the quick answer.His mother wouldn’t like that truth and she’d raised him better than to be so harsh.

“Yes,” he said instead, drawing his focus from the grand floor-to-ceiling windows beyond the conference table to his right.“I’m listening.It’s the same story you’ve been spouting for months.I don’t need to hear it again.”

Months?Since high school.

“We’re worried about you,” she said.

His mother’s heart was in the right place.Still, he could do without the interference.Stress didn’t feature in his life, it didn’t fray his nerves.Except right then, the hounding sensation plagued him.Insomnia.Irritability.Why was he so on edge?

That something he was missing… Something?Someone?

“Great.”He pushed away from the desk to stand up, hoping she’d do the same.“Thank you for your concern.I appreciate that you care.”

“We do care,” Carolyn said, remaining seated.He should’ve known.His mom wasn’t easily handled.“Though I wonder why when you’re being glib.”

He didn’t mean to offend, he just had other things on his mind.His love life, existent or not, was one of Carolyn’s favorite hobbies.More of a priority for her than him.

“I’m sorry,” Bastian said.Relenting to his mom’s sincerity, he sat again.“You have nothing to worry about.”

“We do,” she said.“You’ve been distracted.You’re not happy, son, a mom knows.”

His mom doted on him and his sister, Keely.They’d grown up without a nanny, unusual given their affluence.Carolyn inherited a fortune after the death of her parents.That money didn’t stop his father working hard while Carolyn fulfilled her dream, dedicating her days to motherhood.They were her world then, still were, if he was honest.Most of her time now was dedicated to non-profit organizations.Often she pursued causes in league with her best friend, another rich woman who dedicated herself to her ever-growing family.

He shrugged, like a teenager unable to figure out what answer would appease his parent.

“Things are great.I’m great.There’s no reason for me to be unhappy.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re not, sweetheart.”

It was difficult to argue with her at the best of times.When she was right, it was nigh on impossible.The truth, from an objective point of view, was he had no right to be unhappy.His life was privileged, always had been, he’d never wanted for anything.Money.Success.Family.His life was a stream of home runs.He’d been raised right with solid values, and never experienced hardship.Yet his insomnia continued.If anything, it was worse now he had a specific thought keeping him awake.

The scent of Harper filled his senses again.Shit.Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?Get it together, man.

At the engagement party, they’d danced one, then another; three, maybe four, went by.Neither of them would leave the sanctuary of their embrace.The sensation of holding her calmed him.So much so it quelled his overwhelming urge to deck that Damon bastard.

When Harper lifted her head that final time, he’d known it was over.With a single nod, he had taken her hand and kissed the petal-soft skin of her knuckles.God, she had the most beautiful smile—