Page 68 of Conflagration
That’s why I chose not to say his last name. It’s inevitable that my father will look into his background, and once he finds out that he’s in the Wellington clan, he’s going to want to be his best friend. I’m just glad I’ll be out of Atlanta by the time that happens.
“Why don’t we head back to the hotel until it’s time for dinner? I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of beat,” he says with an exaggerated yawn. “I’ve gotten spoiled from all the morning sleeping in and naps on the couch over the past month. Three days of getting up at the ass crack of dawn is messing with me.”
I smile, knowing full well what he means. “Works for me. There’s nothing left to do here. We’ll come first thing in the morning and load the boxes in the truck before hitting the road.”
Once we’re in his truck and heading back to the hotel, he takes my hand and entwines our fingers, bringing mine up for a kiss. He looks over at me, an elated expression on his face.
“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” he asks, squeezing my fingers.
I return his smile, feeling as excited as he looks. “We really are.”
AFTER A much-needed nap, I’m feeling refreshed and much better after the earlier run-in with my parents. Part of me is still uneasy that I didn’t get to see Benjamin face to face, and I hope that leaving the ring is enough for him to get the message. Now that my parents are aware of where I’ll be, I certainly wouldn’t put it past them to send him after me.
A nagging thought forms in my mind. Why me? There are plenty of women I know who are acquainted with Ben and would gladly take my place. I don’t understand why he wants it to be me, especially since he admitted that he’s not in love with me. It doesn’t make any sense.
Instead of dwelling on it, I focus on the night ahead, and as Branson and I make our way to the elevator, excitement wells up in me at the thought of the two people I love the most finally meeting for the first time.
Branson must pick up on it. He chuckles and places his arms on my shoulders, pulling me into him so his front is pressed against my back. Leaning down, he gives me a kiss on top of my hair, and I melt back into him.
“You’ve really missed her, haven’t you?” he asks, his perception spot-on.
With a sigh, I turn in his arms and link mine around his neck. “Yeah,” I admit, and his eyes darken just a bit, though he tries to mask it. “But you’ve done a fantastic job keeping me too occupied to realize it. And as much as I hate the idea of moving away from her, I hate the idea of not living with you even more.”
“We’re not that far away. Sure, it’s not around the corner like my parents are, but we can make the drive any time you want. I promise.”
When the elevators doors open and we walk out, I say, “I know. I haven’t told her yet, so I’m kind of nervous about her reaction. Although she knows all about us. She might not even be surprised.”
Before he can respond, I hear a familiar squeal and turn to see my sister waving at me from down the hall. I let go of Branson and rush towards her, throwing my arms around her when we reach each other. We embrace for a moment before she pulls back and looks at me, her eyes twinkling.
“Ari, I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve missed you, but it seems the time away has been more than good for you.” She looks beyond me, her smile growing wide. “And I can see why.”
With a laugh, I see that Branson’s joined us, and I link my arm through his. “Branson, I know you’ve ‘met’ on Skype, but this is my sister. Alyssa, this is Branson,” I say, watching as they shake hands.
“In the flesh,” Alyssa quips, eyeing him appreciatively.
I give her shoulder a playful bump. “Back off!” I joke. “Where’s your own Wellington?”
As if on cue, Shane appears. “I’m right here, but last I checked, I wasn’t anyone’s anything,” he says, a scowl on his face that’s directed at my sister. Oh my. There’s definitely a story there, and I make a note to ask Alyssa about it the next time we’re alone.
The men greet each other as we make our way to the hotel restaurant. By the time drinks are delivered and our meals have been ordered, we’ve fallen into comfortable conversation. It’s short-lived, however, when my sister turns to Branson, a gleam in her eye.
“So I hear you had the pleasure of meeting our parents today. How’d that go?”
I nearly choke on my wine. “How’d you hear about that?
Alyssa lets out a laugh. “Are you kidding? As soon as they left your condo, they called me all in an uproar. Thanks for telling me you’re moving to Nashville,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “Apparently, a lot has happened that you haven’t told me. Care to enlighten me on how a fake engagement turned into you packing up your things and moving in with the guy?”
Shane’s eyes narrow and he leans forward, looking at Branson with a confused expression. “Afakeengagement? What the fuck, Branson?”
Branson scowls at my sister and then at Shane. “It’s not fucking fake,” he growls, his voice low and husky.
I place my hand on Branson’s, and he turns to look at me, anger swirling in his eyes. “Calm down,” I tell him. “She didn’t mean it that way. I haven’t exactly had the chance to tell her everything that happened after the wedding.”
“What happened after the wedding?” Alyssa asks.
“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Shane echoes.
Branson sits back in his chair with a sigh, his thumb rubbing over my engagement ring.
