Page 23 of Married at Midnight

Ellie’s frown deepened as she turned in the direction Olivia had indicated. Four men sat at a table across the room, their heads buried in the newspaper. From what she could see, they looked nothing like the men they’d met in Las Vegas . . . but, then again, they’d been in costume.

Still, the chances of the same four men being in Seattle were slim to none. Ellie turned back to her friends with a sigh. “It’s been the weirdest week of my life. I’m married and living in and working on Connor’s grandmother’s house. It’s my first-ever design job.”

Olivia’s brows came together. “His grandmother hired you?”

She nodded. “Plus, I’ll be able to fund my Birthday Project through June of next year. I can’t wait for you both to see Grayson House. It has so much potential and deserves to be restored to its old glory. Every time I walk through a room, I see so many possibilities.”

“That’s terrific, Ellie. Sounds like you really love the old place. What will you be doing?” Olivia asked.

“I’ve broken the job down into three stages. The first stage will be renovations to the exterior of the house. The second will be remodeling the interior. And, finally, the part I love, staging the event decorations.”

“What event?” Jordan asked.

“The Holiday Street of Dreams at the end of November.”

“Oh, Ellie,” Olivia said. “What a great job for you to showcase your talent. This could be the big break you’ve been needing.”

Jordan studied Ellie. “You still haven’t told us why you married Connor after how he treated you back in high school. And don’t tell me he’s changed.”

Flustered by Jordan’s question, Ellie took another sip of her champagne before setting her glass down. “Honestly, I don’t know. I was shocked to find him in my bed the morning after. Neither of us remember all the details, but obviously we had some chemistry that night that made us do all kinds of crazy things.”

Jordan tilted her head. “Like have sex?”

Ellie’s cheeks flamed. She wasn’t certain if she was more embarrassed that she didn’t remember if they’d had sex, or if they hadn’t had it at all. “I don’t know.”

Olivia’s eyes rounded.

“Interesting,” Jordan said as she pushed one of the presents on the table toward Ellie. “From me. Open it.”

Relieved to have something else to focus on besides her mistakes, Ellie pulled the gold ribbon of the small rectangular box, then unwrapped the paper and opened it. She frowned down at the metal object inside. “Why would you give me handcuffs?”

Jordan’s gaze was direct. “You did marry Connor Grayson. I figured handcuffing him to the bed might be one way to keep him by your side.”

Ellie’s breath hitched. “If he stays at the house with me, it’ll be because he wants to be there, not because I forced him.”

“That’s a shame,” Jordan said, “because he’s even more handsome now than he was in high school.”

“I agree,” Olivia chimed in. “I met Connor a few months back. He has the most amazing eyes.”

“I admit it—he’s handsome, but can we please be serious?” Ellie groaned.

“The reality of the situation is that you’re married. So what if you’re not fully aware of all the details? Obviously, there’s attraction between you two. Build on that.” Olivia’s hands moved to her own slightly rounded abdomen. She was three months along and had switched her Tuesday-night drink to seltzer water with a twist of lime in a champagne flute.

Ellie couldn’t hold back a pang of jealousy over what Olivia had found: love, marriage, and a family. Her friend deserved them all.

“Open my present,” Olivia encouraged, sliding the remaining gift in front of Ellie.

She shouldn’t accept either one of these gifts. Pretending a joy she didn’t feel, Ellie unwrapped the box and withdrew purple silk lingerie with lace appliqués at the bodice and hem. “It’s exquisite.”

Olivia beamed. “Enjoy being married, Ellie. It takes work, but all good things do.”

Ellie tried to smile in return.

“Thank you, both of you, for the thoughtful gifts. No matter how silly someone’s gift might be”—she cast a flustered glance at Jordan—“I do appreciate that you both want me to be happy.” She knew what to do with the lingerie, but the handcuffs?

“I have a great idea.” Olivia interrupted her thoughts. “Come with Max and me to a costume party at the Experience Music Project on Friday. Just the four of us. Since Max and Connor are friends, it should be really fun.”

“We don’t have tickets,” Ellie protested.