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“Why?” I ask.
“My father is getting antsy. According to Aurora, he’s hired his own PI on me.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to propose to you in the next couple weeks, then we’re going to have our engagement photo shoot afterward.”
Great, I get to sign my life over earlier than I thought I would have to. The thought of us being married scares me. Am I ready to be married, to be a wife? My mother hadn’t reached out when the gossip blogs stated that we were officially together. I know she saw it because she’s always on top of the news when it comes to the lives of the rich and famous. I guess she thinks because we’re not engaged, she doesn’t care.
Who knows what goes on in her head?
My mouth is pursed, so I get up from the bed and walk to the kitchen to pour myself some water, then I down it like I’m dying of thirst. When I make it to the room, Jasper is on his side of the bed and I grab my phone again to write a to-do list.
I have to move up my dress shopping and other arrangements for the wedding. We’re having our wedding on a rooftop in the same place my mother and father had theirs, and I’ll have my wedding planner call the venue and ask them to move the date up. I’m sure they will, especially if Jasper offers to double the pay. Then afterward we’ll call the caterer. I want seafood and chicken and steak to be served. I thought I’d have enough time to convince my mother that I’m getting married, but I won’t and the thought of her not being there to watch me walk down the aisle makes me feel as if I have boulders on my chest. Even if it’s fake. If it’s a business deal.
Jasper groans and he rolls onto his back, placing his arm over his eyes. His breathing is rapid and sweat drenches his forehead and chest. I’m so trapped in my own thoughts that I didn’t realize he fell fast asleep.
“Harper,” he whispers.
Who is Harper?
“I’m so sorry, Harper. So sorry.” His tone grows a few octaves, and he turns to face me. “There’s so much smoke.”
I push on his chest. “Jasper, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.” He doesn’t budge, so I push harder on his chest.
“I’m so sorry, Harper. So sorry.”
I slap him across the face lightly.
His eyes pop open, and he sits up and strokes his hair, glancing at me, disoriented. “What happened?”
“You had a nightmare.”
He lies back down on the pillow.
Without a word, I lie on his chest and draw invisible circles on his chest, in complete silence. I hope I’m not overstepping my boundaries. I figure he wants something to hold on to when he’s frightened. He freezes up, then he slowly relaxes, wrapping his arms around me, but the tension is so thick between us you can cut it with a knife. I feel his heartbeat beneath my fingertips, and I want to take his pain away.
I glance back up at him to see a frown etched on his face.
“Who is Harper?”
He swallows thickly. “Someone you shouldn’t concern yourself with.”
“Why won’t you tell me who Harper is?”
He gently pushes me off him and gets up from the bed.
“If we’re going to be married, then yo—”
“No, I don’t have to be honest with you. This is a business transaction, so stop trying to make things more complicated.”
His words sting. I’m trying to help. What good will it do if he doesn’t open up to me? What if it’s another woman he’s in love with and he doesn’t know how to let her go? What if I’m getting married to a man that can’t let his ex go? When I googled him, his prior relationships didn’t pop up. I can’t deal with a man who’s in love with someone else. He should go askherto marry him. I hate feeling like I’m not good enough. If he doesn’t want my help, then that’s fine.
I suck in a breath. “If you’re in love with another woman, then I can’t marry you.”
His eyes widen and concern flashes in them. Then he shakes his head. “I’m not in love with someone else.”
A breath of relief leaves my lungs, and I exhale loudly.
