Page 12 of Rekindling Desire

After a smile, Dani rolled her eyes. “You know that’s why Amber married Darius.”

“We assumed,” Damien answered.

Dani let out a long breath and leaned back. “Apologies, brother. I didn’t trust you to be honest and forthcoming.”

Damien scoffed. “As long as Ella does.”

“I do.” I think. I didn’t say the last part.

Dani lifted her paper cup to her lips. Before taking a drink, she murmured, “Amber is a bitch.”

At least there were a few things these two siblings could agree upon.

“Do you think they’re really married?” Damien asked.

“I haven’t seen a marriage license, but that ring on her finger says they are.”

“Fuck,” Damien cursed under his breath. “I need to speak to Stephen. Amber said Gloria is calling a board meeting.” He stood, scooching his chair over the tile. “Dad doesn’t need to know any of this. I’m still CEO.” He pulled the phone from his jeans pocket. “I’m putting an end to this farce.”

Before Damien walked away, I noticed the return of his stress showing in the way his temples throbbed, his jaw turned rigid, and the tendons in his neck tightened.

“I’ll be back.”

We watched Damien walk toward an empty section of the cafeteria.

Once he turned away, Dani reached for my arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t speak up earlier about the addendum. This night has been a series of clusterfucks. Are you sure you’re okay with marrying him? I don’t want you hurt—again. Explain what’s changed between the two of you?”

Meeting her stare, I sighed. “I’m not sure I would classify my wedding as a clusterfuck, but in hindsight it was the cherry on the top.” I lifted my coffee to my lips. “As far as what’s changed, honestly, I’m not sure.”

She tilted her head.

Inhaling, I stared for a moment into my cup, watching the caramel-colored liquid. By the time I again met Dani’s stare, she was still patiently waiting for my answer. I lowered my voice. “You know I didn’t leave him because I didn’t love him.”

She nodded.

For a moment, I chewed my lower lip. “I wanted to forget him. Forget how much love we shared…and the passion.”

Dani smirked, the gleam in her eye reminding me of her brother’s. “Are you saying my brother is hard to forget?”

“Impossible.” I exhaled, relaxing my shoulders. “I care about him, Dani. I promise.” I lifted my gaze to where he was standing, still talking on his phone. “Right now, he’s about as vulnerable as I’ve ever known him to be. Is it wrong I want to help him?”

She shook her head. “Help him, Ella. Don’t change your expectations, and don’t expect to change him.”

“Maybe I’ve changed,” I surmised, thinking aloud. “Not my expectations, but who I am. I think I have.” I wasn’t the woman he dated years ago. I wasn’t his employee. The parameters had changed. “I know how hard he works. Darius doesn’t deserve to be put in charge of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. If I can help Damien, I want to.”

“What does that mean?”

“I guess it means we will work to rekindle what we had.”

Dani nodded.

“Everyone’s focus should be Derek,” I said, repeating what Damien had said earlier.

“I support you both,” Dani said. Looking down at her phone, her eyes widened. “Mom said she wants us all upstairs right now.”

Right now.

There was no stopping the onslaught of dread in Marsha’s summons.

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