Page 8 of Remembering Passion

“Should I quiz you on Donovan?”

Turning in the large seat, I met Damien’s gaze. “Falling stars.”

His handsome face tilted.

“In Aruba. The sky was so dark out on that island that we could see falling stars.”

He nodded slowly.

“And the water,” I said, “was incredibly warm.”

“Do you want to know what I remember?”

I did, but I also knew this conversation was dangerous. “Probably not.”

Setting his glass on the tray to his side, Damien reached for my hand. Lifting it, he turned it over. Everything inside me said to pull it away, and still, I didn’t. I watched and marveled at the warmth in his touch and the way my palm fit into his.

“Damien?”

When he looked up and met my gaze, his normal arrogant smirk was gone. “I was going to propose.”

I pulled my hand away. “You were not.”

“I was. I had the ring.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I tried to remember the entire vacation. Nothing horrible stood out. On the contrary, it was perfect. “Obviously, you didn’t.”

“Do you know why?”

“How could I know? I didn’t know you were even thinking about it.”

“I guess you could say I chickened out.”

“Right,” I said, “Damien Sinclair was afraid.”

He nodded. “I was afraid you’d say no. I decided that I wanted to keep things the way they were. I thought we were happy.”

“We were.”

“Would you have said no?”

Letting my hands fall to my lap, I sighed. “I really don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “Aruba was magical.”

“Being with you is magical, Ella.”

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes. “Please, you haven’t thought about me in two and a half years. You’re probably engaged now or married now.” I looked over at his hands. “No ring, but that doesn’t mean a lot.”

“I’ve never cheated.”

“Neither have I.”

“What about you? Engaged, married? I know…you decided you prefer women.”

“Right,” I said with a scoff. “Because no straight woman would walk away from you.”

After another drink of his bourbon, Damien turned to me. “None of the above. Not married, engaged, or seeing anyone currently. When Van mentioned this gala, I thought about you. I knew you had been hired at Beta Kappa Phi.” He lifted his hand. “Not stalking. They called me for a reference.”

I opened my eyes wide. “What? I told them to call Steve in personnel.”

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