Page 135 of Reckless Harmony

“No, I have nothing to say to her.”

His mother looked at him with exasperation. “Isaac, I love you, but you’re doing that thing you do.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” he said stiffly.

“Yes, you do,” she said. “You’re hurting, but you refuse to feel that hurt. Instead, you’re shoving it deep and pretending everything is fine.”

“I’m not,” he said.

“You are, my boy,” she said. “You have to allow yourself to feel your emotions. You need to acknowledge that you love Rayna, and she hurt you.”

“It won’t change the situation,” he said.

“It might,” she said. “Pretending you don’t need anyone - don’t need her - isn’t healthy. As much as you think you can just shut off your feelings and your love for someone when they hurt you, it doesn’t work that way.”

“I don’t do that,” he insisted.

“You do, my love,” she said softly.

His mother’s look of love brought all those emotions he had suppressed dangerously close to the surface again. Instead of allowing them to be free, he said, “I have to go, Mom. I love you.”

He ended the video call before she could reply, staring blankly at his computer screen as his stomach churned and his head throbbed. He refused to admit how hellish the last week had been, instead throwing himself into work every day and spending his evenings alone in his house.

Well, not entirely alone. Molly and her babies were still with him, and snuggling with Molly and playing with the kittens every evening was the only bright spot of each day. He had fully intended to make the rescue take them back, but it wasn’t just his reluctance to speak to Rayna about it that stopped him. At some point in the last few weeks, imagining a life without Molly and her babies in his home was impossible.

As impossible as a life without Rayna?

He shut that thought down immediately. In the last week, he’d let his anger over what Rayna had said grow thick and strong. The anger was easier to handle than the hurt. If he stayed angry with her, he wouldn’t think about how much he missed her, how much he loved her.

He glanced up at the knock on his door, studying Lucas when he opened it and stuck his head into his office.

“What’s up?” Stark asked.

“Do you have a minute to talk?” Lucas asked.

“If it’s work related, then yes. If it’s personal, no, I don’t.”

Lucas hesitated, and Stark gave him a cold look. “Is what I said confusing you, Lucas?”

“No.” Lucas walked away without another word, and Stark shoved that pang of regret straight down with every other pesky emotion he absolutely didn’t need to feel. He’d gone this long without friends and was perfectly fine. He didn’t need them now.

His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen before frowning. Why was his real estate agent calling him?

He pressed the answer button. “Ms. Walker, how can I help you today?”

“Hello, Mr. Stark.” Kira’s voice had an undercurrent of excitement. “Is this a bad time, or do you have a few minutes to speak with me?”

“I have time,” he said.

“Great!” Kira chirped. “I have some news that I think will make you very happy.”

“What’s that?” he asked, his head throbbing harder at the cheeriness in her tone.

“Rayna Abrams contacted me this morning. She’s agreed to sell her property if you’re still interested.”

His jaw dropped, and he sat back in his chair, staring in stunned silence at his desk.

After about a minute, Kira said, “Mr. Stark? Are you still there?”

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