Page 45 of Married at Midnight

It was time to tell someone the truth. “I want to tell you something, but you have to promise this will stay between us. You can’t even tell Olivia.”

Jordan crossed her heart with her finger. “I promise.”

“Connor and I ended up married by mistake, and we’re staying together only until his grandmother improves enough to handle the news that we’re getting a divorce.”

Jordan shook her head. “You might have married by mistake, but that is definitely heat I saw passing between the two of you.”

“That’s just it. Connor and I have an agreement. Sex only. No commitments. Once we finish transforming Grayson House back to her original glory for the Holiday Street of Dreams, we’re done.”

“But you’re not really done, are you?” Jordan laughed. “You talk about Grayson House like it’s a labor of love, not a business project. And as for Connor . . . there’s a lot more going on between you two than just sex, whether either of you wants to admit it or not.”

Ellie frowned. “How do you know what I want?”

Jordan gave her a sad smile. “Because I’ve known you for thirteen years, and from what I see, you’re not just fixing up a house with Connor—you’re making a home.”

Ellie shook her head, denying the truth. “I’m making the house livable and sprucing it up so it’ll be the best old Victorian in the holiday show.”

“Delusions of Ellie.”

“What?” Ellie gave a nervous laugh.

Jordan crossed her arms over her chest. An all-knowing smile tugged at her lips. “You’re falling in love with him.”

Ellie stood in silence as the words echoed inside her. “What do you know about love?”

Jordan bristled. “I know it when I stare it straight in the eye. You love Connor.”

Ellie drew in a breath. “No, you’re wrong,” she said, even though she knew the words were a lie. “I like him a lot. I’m obviously crazy enough to play along with his let’s-be-married-for-Viola scheme.”

“It’s more than that,” Jordan said in a determined tone.

“I used to love him.”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “You still do.”

The truth washed over her in a cold, cleansing sweep. “Oh heavens. You’re right. I still love him. I think I always have.” Finally admitting her feelings was not a joyous thing like she’d always imagined. There was a twist of pain. Connor had made his feelings clear from the beginning. There was no room in his life for her. He’d told her before that he was married to his job.

“Have you told Connor that you love him?” Jordan asked, pulling her back to the moment.

“No,” she said with a soft sigh of regret. “And I’m not sure I should. There is no commitment between us except the house, and in four weeks even that will be over.”

“Four weeks?” Jordan asked. “That’s plenty of time.”

“For what?”

“To make him fall in love with you.” Jordan fixed Ellie with a look that dared her to argue.

It was Ellie’s turn to roll her eyes. “You can’t just make someone fall in love with you.”

Jordan frowned. “That man is already halfway there. He just needs a little push. Do you want to do the pushing, or should I?”

Ellie gasped. “There will be no pushing from anyone. Understand? If that’s what’s supposed to happen between us, then it will happen.”

“You believe in destiny now?” Jordan snorted.

“Hey.” Ellie bristled with indignation. “There’s no need to get testy.”

“You and Connor will both be so much happier if you’d accept your true feelings and not try so hard to fight them.”