Page 25 of Ben

“Sis, did—”

Diamond interrupted her. “We agreed to stay married for at least a year after everything is all cleared up. For appearances’ sake and all.” She waved her hand around, not looking her sister in the eye as she lied. Ben had said forever, and she didn’t want her sister marching into the house with fresh rage over this. Time would only tell if they were meant to stay together. She had the physical with Ben; she just needed the emotional connection, if there was one on his part.

Diamond should have shut her eyes as Ambra’s mouth opened and closed. She didn’t want her sister to realize that she had folded like a deck of cards when Ben had put his hands on her. Not yet anyway, as everything was so new to them, and she was trying to figure out what their relationship was. Or what she hoped it was.

She needed time with Ben without anyone’s interference or judgment. Ambra and Michael had been given time to figure themselves out, and she needed the same.

Diamond leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning her around towards the door.

“Call me when you are back home so that I know you are safe. I really wanted you to not have to come over tonight because I knew you and Michael had just gotten back, but I am glad you did. I missed you.”

“Ummm, me too. Love you,” she whispered, and Diamond could see her sister’s mind whirling as she tried to process this new chain of events.

“Love you too. And don’t be too hard on Michael. I told him to wait until you came back to New York because I didn’t want what is happening to me to get in the way of you both finally admitting you love each other. Now go home, rest, and then call him to come back so you can work it out. You were always meant to be together, and I need you both to finally be happy and stop getting on my last nerve with this friendship business.”

Michael had gone behind his brother’s back and had reached out to her before the wedding, telling her not to give in to his brother’s demands and that they were on their way back.

She recalled the conversation. “Did you tell her already?” She questioned, a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach that she’d never experienced before.

“No, not yet, but when I tell her, she is going to want to leave immediately.”

“Don’t Michael. If you are in love with my sister, like I know you are, don’t get her involved in my mess. Let me work this out the best way I can, and if that means marrying Ben so that I can protect her and my family, then I will do it.”

Michael suddenly sounded hoarse and angry. “Don’t ask me to do that to Ambra; she will never forgive me if I didn’t tell her the truth.”

“Michael, listen to me: the less people that get involved, the less chances of this going south. You are putting me and your brother in jeopardy along with Ambra if you tell her. She will find out soon enough, but hopefully after we have solved all of this before you come back from Barbados. At least give us till then.” Diamond implored.

“I can’t lose Ambra now that I have admitted to myself what she means to me, Diamond.”

“You won’t; she loves you too. Has she said it yet?”

“No,” he said huffily.

She smiled. He had it bad.

“Well then, see, give it more time. Talk to you when you both are back.”

“Diamond, this better not go sideways.”

“I promise it won’t. Who better than to solve all of this than your brother?”

“Your sister.”

She grinned. “Yes, her too, but for now I will settle for your brother.”

“Why are you letting him blackmail you into marriage?” Michael suddenly sounded suspicious to her.

“Because I want him.” And then she hung up.

She focused on her sister, who was blinking at her sleepily; the adrenaline that had gotten her over here was wearing off, and she didn’t want her sister to fall asleep at the wheel. Time for her to go home.

She kissed her on the cheek again and then shut the door in her face.

She jumped when she turned and saw Ben hiding in the shadows. His face closed off to her again.

“One year it is then.” He said softly.

“What?” She was confused for a minute, then she recalled what she’d said to her sister.

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