Maybe not. But I don’t like the thought of you being upset—and having to deal with something I feel partially responsible for.

But she’d never want Tobias to confront Axel. Knowing how quickly Axel’s temper could flare, she was afraid of where that would lead. Axel had never struck her or anything when he’d gotten angry. She wasn’t worried about her safety. It was all the moodiness, the upset and the screaming that got old. Add in jealousy and another man? Axel might go further with Tobias than he would with her.

Does this change anything? Tobias asked.

She frowned at his latest message. Skating is off, she responded.

I wasn’t referring to skating.

I know.

I’d like a real chance with you, Harper. What we feel… It can’t be something that happens often. At least, it’s never happened for me.

You’re right. It doesn’t happen often.

Then we should protect it.

At this point, I don’t know what to say. There’s what I want, and then there’s what’s best for my kids.

I would never stand in the way of what’s best for you or your kids.

He’d proved that already, when he’d brought her home and told her to patch things up with Axel. She was the one who’d resurrected what they had going. Thank you. Let’s get some sleep. I’m so confused and embarrassed—I’m on overload. I’ll text you tomorrow.

Good night.

After she put down her phone, she could hear the hum of voices. Had Karoline brought Axel back to the house?

She was about to get out of bed to check when she heard a soft knock and her sister opened the door. “You okay?”

“I am. Is Axel? Were you able to find him?”

“Yes. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to talk him into getting into the car, and I took him to the Mission Hotel.”

“He didn’t want to come here?”

“Considering the situation, I suggested it might be smarter for the two of you to have a bit of a separation.”

“But he’s going to see the girls while he’s here…”

“I hope so.”

“So do I. I’d feel terrible if I screwed that up for them.”

Karoline studied her for several seconds. “Why weren’t you honest with me about Tobias, Harper?”

“Because I never expected it to go anywhere. I thought… I thought it was fleeting, momentary, a way to prop up my sagging self-esteem, I guess.”

“And then…”

“And then he turned out to be more wonderful than I expected.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Harper shook her head. “To be honest, I still don’t know.”