Back on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #4)(65)

“No, it wasn’t.” If he was guilty of breaking his word, she was equally guilty for being so pleased to hear from him. She’d never admit that, though. “How did you learn about Steve?” she asked. “Did you have him investigated?” The real question was: Why would he?

“No,” he replied tersely. “I know someone who used to be a friend of his.”

“Oh.” Colette wasn’t convinced she should believe him.

“Are you still seeing Grisham?” Christian demanded.

It was none of his business, and yet he might have saved her untold heartache. “No.” She didn’t offer any more explanation than that.

“Good.”

The silence between them made her nervous. Finally, Christian asked, “How are you, Colette?”

“I’m very well.” She wondered if he’d called to find out about her and Steve. No, more likely something had happened. “Have you…are you—you know?” She couldn’t say it. She was afraid he was about to be arrested and had turned to her for some kind of help or perhaps comfort.

“You don’t need to worry,” he said. “I’m not in jail yet.”

She was annoyed that he could joke about it, although he’d provided the information she’d been trying to find out. “Is there a reason for your call?” she asked curtly. Keeping an emotional distance was the only way she had of protecting herself.

“As a matter of fact, there is. I understand you recently met my aunt Elizabeth.”

Colette was instantly defensive, not wanting him to know she’d sought out the other woman. She probably should’ve realized that Elizabeth would talk to Christian about her visit.

“I delivered one of the weekly floral arrangements you ordered for her,” Colette told him. She wasn’t going to admit anything beyond that.

“I see.”

Her shoulders were so tense, they ached.

“My aunt Elizabeth is pretty special, isn’t she?”

“I really liked her.” There was no point in denying it.

“So my suspicions were right.”

“I beg your pardon?” Colette said. “What suspicions?”

“You received a dinner invitation from her, didn’t you?”

“How did you know?” Had Elizabeth told him about that, too?

“Because I also got one.”

It had never occurred to Colette that Elizabeth had invited anyone else, least of all Christian.

“I should’ve guessed,” he murmured.

“Guessed?” she repeated irritably. “Guessed what?”

“I hope you realize that my sweet, old-fashioned aunt is playing matchmaker,” he explained. “I received an invitation from her and she says she won’t take no for an answer.”

“What made you assume I was involved?” Colette asked.

“Because my dear aunt has never insisted I come to dinner before.”

“So you knew something was up.” He was far more perceptive than she’d been and she felt a bit foolish, considering how easily Elizabeth had recognized her feelings for Christian.

“She made it fairly obvious,” he said wryly.

“Have you asked her about it?”

“Yes, and my aunt was uncharacteristically quiet. She did admit she’d invited a ‘special guest’ and it was someone I already knew…very well.”

Colette’s face burned with embarrassment. His aunt had probably suggested Christian knew his dinner companion intimately. “I see,” she mumbled.

“Don’t worry,” he told her. “I’ll come up with some excuse to decline.”

Instantly contrite, Colette felt she couldn’t let him do that. “No, no. I’ll decline.”

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s not necessary.”

“She’s your aunt,” Colette said. “She loves you. She’s only doing this because she wants…well, she wants to see you—” Colette searched for the right word “—happy,” she finished.

“That’s interesting,” Christian commented.

“What is?” She hated that the defensiveness was back in her voice.

“That you’d learn this much from a simple flower delivery.”

“Oh.” Colette’s throat was suddenly dry. “Yes…She, uh, invited me in for tea.”

“And you accepted?”

“Yes.”

“Is there anything else you told her?” he asked pointedly.

“If you’re referring to the ongoing investigation regarding your illegal activities,” she said stiffly, “then the answer is no. I didn’t breathe a word.”

“Thank you,” he said.

“How could I? How could I break this lovely woman’s heart?” she blurted out. “Christian, if for no other reason than your aunt, you need to get out of this.”

His hesitation was brief, and when he spoke he sounded regretful. “Don’t you think I would if it were possible? I’m sorry, Colette. I’d give just about anything to turn back the clock. But it’s too late now.”

“Christian—”

He cut her off as if he’d lost interest in the conversation. “I suppose my dear aunt told you the story of my less-than-happy childhood?” he asked.