Page 44 of Married at Midnight

Her words were interrupted by the sound of happy voices and running feet. Exactly as she’d predicted, the central area of the park filled with children and their families and friends, as well as those who wanted either company or something to eat.

She was about to start the party when she turned to Connor. That haunted look had returned to his eyes. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

He plunged a hand through his blond hair while she waited. He remained silent, simply studying her with an unsettling intensity.

“Connor?”

The moment spilled out, lengthening in an odd way that made her heart speed up. He reached out and grazed her cheek with his knuckles. “It’s nothing that can’t wait,” he finally said, breaking the tension.

She felt suddenly as though they’d missed out on something special—a moment that might never come again. Ellie’s eyes teared up once more, but she forced her emotions back. She needed to focus on the party, not the man who distracted her at every turn.

Jordan had stopped by to help. Grateful for another pair of hands, Ellie put her to work cutting and passing out the cake after they sang a birthday song to all eight of the children who’d had birthdays that month.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. She’d received so many thank-yous from the adults and hugs from the kids that she’d lost count. Their happy faces made all her efforts worthwhile, and explained why she would use much of the money Viola had given her for her work at Grayson House to continue these parties into next year.

It was comforting to know she didn’t need to worry about the Birthday Project anymore when there were so many other things to worry about—like the way Jordan’s gaze narrowed on her. Ellie knew that look. It was the one Jordan got when she’d figured something out.

Ellie didn’t have to remain in suspense for long as Jordan finished cleaning up the cake mess before coming to join her. She pitched in, helping separate the garbage from the recycling. Once that task was complete, they’d leave them in a designated place for the city to haul away.

“What’s up between the two of you?” Jordan asked.

Ellie glanced back to where Connor was disassembling the rental tent before returning her gaze to her friend. “What are you talking about?”

Jordan crossed her arms. “You’re upset about something.”

A chill went over Ellie as she wondered if she could hide anything from Jordan. She and Olivia had always laughed about Jordan’s perception. They’d called it a superpower that must have come down along with her Irish heritage. Now that this perception was turned on Ellie, it wasn’t so funny. “Oh, that?” she tried to brush her off. “That was just me getting emotional over the kids.”

“No, it’s more than that.”

Ellie concentrated on tying the trash bags. “You’re imagining things.”

“To me it looked like you were mourning for something you should have but don’t.” Jordan waited until Ellie looked up. “Why would a newly married woman gaze at her very own husband that way unless there’s something wrong in the marriage?”

“I’m fine,” Ellie whispered. “We’re fine.” It was happening already. They were sowing the seeds of their eventual breakup. She should have been happy, because she wanted to confide in her friend. But that couldn’t happen. They had to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage for another four weeks. “Please trust me on this.”

“Okay,” Jordan groused. “But if that weepy look continues next time I see you, I’m going to dig deeper—understood?”

Ellie nodded, grateful that Jordan’s interference was through for today.

Connor returned a few minutes later after packing the equipment back in the rental truck.

“Thanks for all your help,” she told him.

“It was inspiring to see you in action.” He lifted his hand and ran his finger down her jawline.

She knew he wanted to kiss her, and she was amazed at how much she wanted to kiss him. The air between them all but crackled with mutual desire and need.

Yet he continued to stare at her with dark, hungry eyes. Maybe he hesitated because of Jordan’s nearness. Or was it something more?

When she was sure he would kiss her the way a husband kisses his wife, he disappointed her by pulling away. “I’ll return the rental truck and supplies. After that I have an errand to run. I’ll be home later.”

She nodded and, with her heart pounding, watched him go.

Beside her, Jordan groaned. “There’s that look again. Come on, Ellie. What’s going on? He wanted to kiss you. That much was obvious to a stranger, yet he didn’t. You wanted to kiss him, and yet you remained still. That’s not normal behavior between two married people. So start talking.”

“We aren’t two normal married people.”

Jordan frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”