That he was absorbing the blow without reacting in anger only made Harper feel worse. Once she’d gotten beyond that emotional encounter with Axel, she’d had time to remember a lot of things she hadn’t given enough consideration in that moment. First of all, Tobias had told her the night they met that he was the last person she should ever “get with.” So he had warned her, in a way. Not only that, but she was the one who’d pushed the physical side of the relationship, not him. And then there was that moment in his truck when she was getting out and he’d acted as though he had something important to tell her. She believed it was an attempt to broach the truth. A past like his would be a difficult thing to reveal after all, especially because things were moving so fast between them. They’d already reached a more serious level at that point.

“It’s—it’s not a matter of having something to offer me,” she said.

“Well, however you want to frame it. I’m an ex-con. You were the wife of a famous rock star. I get it.” He gestured toward the small box she held. “Is that for me?”

She wanted to address what he’d just said. She hated the way it sounded, but she couldn’t think of a good way to refute his words so she looked down. “Yes. I—I wish you hadn’t returned the watch. I really wanted you to have it. But since you did, I’m bringing this back.”

“Of course. Thank you.” He took the box, but when he turned and tossed it into the garbage, Harper felt her stomach drop.

“I wish you and Axel—and the girls, of course—the best.” He started to shut the door, but she was so stunned that he’d thrown away a gold bracelet—her bracelet—she stopped him.

“Wait.” She blinked several times while she searched for something to say that might help relieve the terrible pain in her chest. “Did you… Did you just throw away my bracelet?”

“I can get it out and throw it away after you leave, if you’d rather,” he said, still as polite as ever.

“I’d rather you not throw it away at all.”

“I don’t understand why it would matter to you. I don’t have any use for it,” he explained and started to close the door again.

She caught the panel. “It does matter. If—if you’re only going to throw it away, can I have it back?”

“Of course.” He walked over, grabbed the trash can and fished it out for her.

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

“No problem. I’m sorry for…” He seemed to struggle to find something he owed her an apology for. “For not letting you know what a monster I am, I guess.”