“No. I thought it would be a big surprise, a way to prove my love for you and my girls that I’d go to the trouble of flying thirteen hours to be with you for just three days—the only three days I have off on this soul-sucking tour.” He chuckled bitterly. “But I never dreamed I’d be more shocked than you.”

He loved what he did. This was the kind of success he’d prayed for. But she didn’t comment on the way he’d described the tour. “I wish you’d let me know you were coming.”

“You were with him?” he asked instead of responding to her comment.

She drew a deep breath. “Yes.”

“I thought so.”

“I was going to tell you that…that we’re seeing each other again.”

As he rose to his feet, his voice rose, too. “You mean you were going to tell me you’re still fucking someone else? When?”

She glanced around, embarrassed by the profanity and the loudness of his voice. “I quit seeing him once we started talking about reconciling, but then I began to realize—”

“That you can fool around and get away with it while I’m in Europe?”

Her face flushed with heat despite the cold. “No…”

The door opened behind him, and her sister stepped out. She was wearing a fluffy white robe, tied at the waist, and carrying a cup of coffee. “Harper. I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been trying to reach you—”

“I know. I’m sorry, Karoline.”

“She’s been with—” Axel gestured in irritation “—what’s his stupid name? Tobias?”

“His name is no more stupid then yours,” she mumbled.

“What’d you say?” he challenged her.

She glanced around to make sure the neighbors weren’t turning on their lights and coming outside to see what all the fuss was about. “Nothing.”

“You said something.”

“Forget it. Look, there’s no need to embarrass Karoline and Terrance. Why don’t we… Why don’t we go for a drive? Get out of their neighborhood?”

“With you looking like that? Fresh from another man’s bed? God, I can almost smell him on you.”

Harper curved her fingernails into her palms. “I told you. I gave him up for a few days. But then…”

“But then?” he repeated.

“I realized he makes me feel good. That I enjoy his company. That maybe… That maybe you were right about the divorce. Our lives have changed so much we’re no longer compatible.”

Karoline’s eyes widened. “Harper, are you sure about what you’re saying?”

She wasn’t the only one who was surprised. Axel obviously couldn’t believe his ears. Just about every woman in America dreamed of being with him, and yet she was saying she preferred someone else?

“You’ve always said you want to keep our family together!”

“That’s what I’ve wanted all along!”