Page 49 of Forbidden Dark Vows

“Mom.” I swallow hard.

“Ruby! Where are you? What’s going on?” The second question is more hushed than the first, and I hear the rustle of her moving about in our home.

A pang of homesickness swells inside my chest. “I’m in New York.”

“What are you doing in New York? When are you coming home? What has that man done to?—”

“Mom!” I’m too tired to fight with her. That will have to wait for another day. “That man has a name. Harry. His name is Harry, and I’m going to marry him.”

“Like hell you are, Ruby. Not if I have anything to do with it.” The growl has transformed into a hiss, like a serpent slithering down the telephone line searching for its prey.

“Why? Why are you being like this, Mom? We love each other. I thought you’d be happy for me, or doesn’t love count for anything anymore?”

“You don’t know the first thing about him. What are you going to do when you realize that he isn’t the man you think he is, huh?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that he turned your head at a fancy party and now you think you’re going to spend the rest of your lives together.”

Deep breath. “The fancy party that you wanted me to attend.”

Harry walks through to the living room of his apartment, and I almost don’t recognize him in a smart gray suit, crisp white shirt and silver tie. His hair is slicked back, and his chin is smooth. I swear he looks ten years younger.

‘Your mom?’he mouths, and I nod, covering the mouthpiece with my hand.

“Don’t go yet,” I whisper to him before going back to the telephone conversation. “Mom, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you again tomorrow.”

“Ruby, wait. Don’t you dare hang up?—”

I end the call and cross the room to Harry, breathing in the smell of his aftershave. “So, this is how Harry Weiss looks when he’s in the office?”

He wrinkles his nose. “I’m glad I got that ring on your finger before you saw me in a suit.”

“Hmm.” I tap my top lip with my fingertip and walk a circle around him, eyeing him up from all angles. “I don’t know. I think I’ll enjoy undressing you when you get back from the office.”

Harry laughs and pulls me in for a hug, wrapping his arms around me, his plaster cast resting on my shoulder. “How did your mom take the news that you’re in New York?”

“As expected, she was thrilled to bits, and says she can’t wait to celebrate with us when we’re next in Chicago.”

He pulls away, holds me at arm’s length, and studies me intently. “We can go as soon as I’ve sorted out whatever’s going on in the office. Or would you rather go without me? Speak to her alone first?”

“No. I’m in no hurry to see her.” I chew my bottom lip when concern flashes behind Harry’s eyes, guilt rearing its head inside my chest. “What time will you be back?”

“Missing me already?” His smile is wide. “I don’t know, sorry. I don’t want to leave you here alone, but I-I’ve been away too long…” He leaves the sentence hanging, torn between needing to resolve whatever is going on, and not wanting me to feel bad for keeping him away.

“Can I come with you?”

He blinks furiously—he obviously hasn’t considered this as an option.

“Please? I want to know everything about you, Harry. Who knows, perhaps your secretary will let me in on a few of your secrets.”

“If I had any secrets, I’m certain that Lizzie would be only too happy to sit you down and reveal them over a bottle of wine.”

“You’re worried now though, aren’t you?” I tease. “Now I simply must come. And I’m not taking no for an answer.” I peer downat my travel-stained clothes. “I don’t have anything to wear though.”

“I tell you what,” Harry relents. “I’ll take you into the office, introduce you to my father.”

“And Lizzie.”

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