Breaking Clear (Full Hearts Series Book 3) by Mj Summers Page A

you’re okay when you aren’t, Harper.”
    Something about his words and the concern in his eyes caused Harper’s shield to dissolve. She blinked quickly at the dark sky, wrestling with the tears that now demanded to fall.
    Evan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in. “He shouldn’t have said that to you. No way should you have to account for what your mother did twenty years ago. It’s no reflection on you or the rest of your family.”
    Harper nodded into his thick chest, feeling safe. “It just took me by surprise. I was having so much fun that I guess I let my guard down. Anywhere but here, nobody knows, so I can pretend it never happened. I should know better than to hope people around here would have forgotten.”
    “Most people have, Harper. When they talk about you, it’s because you’re a high-powered fashion executive in New York. Don’t let him get to you. He was just pissed because he knows you’re too good for him.” Evan pressed his cheek to her hair, holding her close.
    Torn between wanting to stay locked in the warmth of his arms and feeling angry at herself for letting Brent get the best of her, she drew in a deep breath. “Thank you, Evan,” she whispered into his shoulder. “I should go,” she said, pulling away.
    “Let me drive you home. I’ll bring you back for your truck tomorrow. I don’t want you to be alone right now.”
    *     *     *
    Evan stepped into the shower, finally noticing the tightly wound balls of tension that had fixed themselves in his neck and shoulders. He cranked the temperature up as high as it would go, hoping it would relax him. Harper’s face planted itself in his brain. She had looked so sad, so hurt, so beautiful. Rage coursed through him when he thought of that fuck, Brent. Evan knew he had a mean streak in him and had considered warning her but decided to keep an eye on them instead, not wanting to sound jealous. Now he was wishing he’d let himself look like a fool rather than let her be taken by surprise. “Goddammit!” he let out.
    At least he’d managed to put a halt to things when he did. But he hated like hell that she’d been humiliated by the past yet again. No wonder she stayed away. Tonight he’d seen a glimpse of the pain she held onto, but as quickly as it had reared its head, she’d cut it off, throwing up that wall of sarcasm and sass she shielded herself with. He wanted her to let him behind that wall. He understood what it was like to feel the sting of public humiliation, and he could help her heal if she’d only let him.
    *     *     *
    Harper lay in bed that night unable to sleep. The events of the day and evening swirled around her, bringing a wave of emotions so strong she felt as though she were being dragged under. She tried to focus on the excitement of the day, the success of helping Megan, but the smell of Brent and the sound of his words kept creeping back in, crowding out anything good. She’d taken a long, hot bath, hoping to unwind and forget about him, but it hadn’t worked. As long as she was in Boulder, she was going to have to keep her guard up. She’d need to be ready for people like him who took pleasure in her family’s misery. It was entertainment of the lowest form, but for some reason, many people seemed to revel in it.
    And then Evan’s face popped into her mind. His ice-blue eyes shining with warmth for her. His strong arms wrapped around her, his delicious smell as he held her near. His gentle words. Somehow this was the image that brought her to the surface again. Now she could breathe. Because of him. Her mind drifted to that moment at her front door when he’d said good night.
    She’d smiled at him, hoping to seem completely confident. “Go put some ice on that lip, Donovan, or you won’t be in any shape to kiss that long line of ladies waiting for you.”
    “You sure you’re going to be okay?” Evan’s eyes bored into hers.
    “Are you still talking about that? That