Page 41 of Rekindling Desire

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You lied.”

“We didn’t lie any more than you and Gabriella did. We had a ceremony. There was a problem with the license.”

“What problem?” I asked suspiciously.

“You can only be married to one person, and it seems you and I are still married.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Gabriella

A workman was outside my office door when I arrived.

“Is there a problem?”

“Replacing your nameplate, Mrs. Sinclair.”

Fuck you, Damien. Your secret-keeping ability is the worst.

“Hold on to the one that says Crystal, just in case.”

“I hope you’re joking.”

I grinned. “It depends on the time of day.”

Opening the door, I went inside. My gaze naturally went to the large window behind my desk, the one that looked out over Indianapolis. I wasn’t high up in the skyline; nevertheless, the view was much better than the one I had at Beta Kappa Phi. Sitting behind my desk, I removed my phone from the drawer where I’d left it earlier in the day.

I had numerous missed text messages and calls, three from Niles, one from Millie, and one from my mother.

“Okay, Mom. You’re first.” I hit the icon, wondering how I would explain the last weekend. As she answered, I decided direct was best. “Hi, Mom. Is Dad around?”

“He’s not. He’ll be back soon. Is everything all right?”

“I suppose. I thought you should know; I got married this past weekend.”

Silence.

Prolonged silence.

“Mom?” I questioned, wondering if our call was disconnected.

“Ella, I think I misunderstood you. You haven’t mentioned dating anyone.”

“Remember I told you about the campaign that I was roped into?”

“Working with Damien—you married Damien.”

I scrunched my nose at the way her volume rose with her statement. “Yep.”

“Oh, Ella. Why? What’s happening?”

I thought back to the answer I gave Amber in the hospital. “There’s a lot happening, but the real reason I said yes is because” —I took a breath— “I love him.” I did. I couldn’t deny it any longer. “I care about him. I know I left him, but being back with him feels right.”

“Oh, honey. I’m crying.”

“Mom, I’m sorry you and Dad weren’t there. The wedding was very fast. Damien has offered me a big ceremony in the future. His dad is in the hospital with some heart problems. We’d like to have all four of you and the rest of our family around.”

Mom took a deep breath. “That’s not why I’m crying. I always thought Damien was special. I also understood why you left. If you feel more confident with him now, Dad and I support you. You’re a grown woman. Of course, I’d love to share a ceremony of your union along with the Sinclairs, but that’s your decision, dear. We trust you.”

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