Harper held up her palms. “Icannotbelieve this.”
“And when you and I started dating, it broke the last straw,” he continued. “She’d asked me out a few times over the years, and I didn’t exactly turn her down, but I put her off. She finally stopped right around the time you started at Front Door.” His eyes softened. “I was knocked out the first time I saw you, Harper. You’re an incredible woman. I didn’t realize how much so until I lost you.”
“You didn’t lose me. Youdumpedme.” Her insides rattled as she tried to comprehend everything he was saying. “If you thought I was cheating, you should have said something.”
“I know. But I was so hurt. More than that, I was angry. No one makes a fool out of me.” His eyes narrowed. Then he sighed. “Except Brielle.”
Still stunned, Harper said, “I don’t get it. You moved away with her. I thought you two were going to get married.”
“Hardly. Even before we moved, we were on the rocks. But her plan to open an office in Bentonville together was an offer I couldn’t refuse. It was an opportunity of a lifetime business-wise. The market is red hot right now, and there’s no sign of it contracting anytime soon.
“Then why did you come back?”
“When I severed our relationship, she severed our partnership. There were some legal hassles to get it done, but we both wanted out. Then I moved back here to figure out my future.” He faced her. “I’m not asking to get back together—”
“Good, because that isnotgoing to happen.”
He averted his gaze again, nodding before he looked back at her. “When Brielle came back to Hot Springs, I knew she had to be up to something. So we talked. She thinks I came back for you. Even when I told her that she was wrong, she wasn’t convinced. That’s when she told me she was going to put you out of business.”
“She sounds crazy.” Harper pressed her lips together.
“She’s insecure and bitter, and not just about you. She hates me too. And I’m to blame for that.”
“Because you moved back here?”
He shook his head. “Because she loves me. But I don’t love her. I tried, but I couldn’t make myself feel something I didn’t. I feel bad about that, because when she’s not being malicious, she’s fun to be around. And I admire her business acumen. She’s brilliant. Unfortunately, she’s putting her tactics to work against you.”
“Like poaching my clients,” Harper said, the pieces starting to fall into place.
Jack nodded. “She’s spreading rumors too. Like—”
“I don’t want to know.” She got up from the chair and turned away, hugging her arms. So that’s why her clients were canceling and not returning her calls. “What am I supposed to do?”
“You could play her game,” Jack suggested.
“No.” She turned around. “I would never do that.”
“Then ride it out. You’re as driven as we are. People will realize the rumors are false, and if she doesn’t stop poaching, I’ll report her.” He stood and walked over to her. “You’ll bounce back from this.”
His confidence in her should have made her feel better. Instead, her guard went up. “Why are you helping me?”
He smiled. “Because I made a huge mistake. I’m trying to make up for it.”
She didn’t categorize dumping her for another woman as a mistake. It was an active choice. Everything he said about Brielle was starting to sink in. “I appreciate you telling me all this,” she said, willing to give him a little credit.
“I’m glad I finally could.”
“It’s late.” She glanced at the square acrylic clock on the wall above the foyer. It was only nine, but it felt much later.
“My cue to leave?” he said.
“Yes.”
Without argument he moved toward the door, and she walked him outside, stopping on the front stoop. The cool night breeze hit her as she swiveled to face him. “Good night, Jack.”
“Harper,” he murmured, taking her hand. “I know I said I wasn’t here to get back together, but...” He moved closer. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Rusty immediately came to mind.I wish.She shook her head and tried to pull away from him. “No.”
