AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It really doesn’t.”
“More than Declan managed.”
“If Declan had asked me while I was drunk, I probably would have married him too.”
Rachel laughs. “Yeah, right.”
“Okay, well, this has been fun. But I actually have a meeting to get to…”
Another lie. All of a sudden, they’re really piling up.
“Fiiinnneee. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I toss the phone on my desk, rubbing my temple faster.
I’ve avoided my father ever since dumping the news of my marriage on him. We finished the meeting with Logan Cassidy, and thankfully, most of the awkwardness faded by the time we ordered our meals.
Of course my father told my mother. They’ve always had that fairytale sort of relationship I’ve secretly been in awe of. The type that endures hardships and lows with the stability of a steamship at sea.
And considering my family leans toward oversharing, I shouldn’t be surprised Rachel found out. If she knows, Eddie and April must too.
The only upside of my historically harsh view on marriage is that my father and Rachel were both too shocked by the revelation I am married to ask any questions about who I’m married to. None of my family members know about my history with Crew, and I don’t think anyone besides my father will recognize the Kensington name. But still, it’s more than I ever wanted them to know.
I rush through the rest of my work and head home right at five. Traffic is worse than usual, but at least it means I finish the latest episode of my favorite podcast before reaching my street. It always bothers me, stopping with only a few minutes left.
I park in the driveway, grab my bag from the passenger seat and walk toward my house. California real estate is insane, especially in the southern part of the state.
I lucked out by finding a ranch that needed major renovations and was even luckier that I was able to live with my parents while they were taking place.
I’ve always loved interior design and decoration. It’s part of what drew me to architecture. It’s like a complicated puzzle, where you get to choose all the pieces and then also decide how to fit them together.
My steps up the front walk slow when I spot the figure sitting in the swing beside the door.
“Hi, Mom.” My grip on the keys tightens as I force a casual tone, climbing the two steps that lead to the porch and making a show of flipping through the two magazines that were delivered to my mailbox.
She stands. “You gotmarriedand didn’t tell me?”
It’s the guilt trip from Rachel all over again. Except worse, because it’s in person. And because she’s my mother, not my sister.
“I’m sorry if you’re upset—”
“Upset? Honey, I’m so happy for you!”
Not the response I was expecting. Or hoping for. It never occurred to me my Vegas marriage is anything my family might beexcitedabout. “Mom…”
“When can I meet him?” she asks.
Dammit.Rachel wasn’t exaggerating. “Mom…didn’t Dad tell you I’m notstayingmarried?”
She waves a hand in the air dismissively. “Yes, your father told me everything. And I still can’t believeyoudidn’t, Hannah! How do you think it makes me feel to know that you told a potential client of your father’s you were married before informing your own mother?!”
I’m starting to really reconsider whether telling my father was the right decision. If Logan Cassidy wasn’t involved, I never would have.
I was worried my lie would blow back on him somehow. That either he wouldn’t want to work with Garner Sports Agency, thinking I was unhinged or overdramatic, going around telling men I’m married when I’m not. Or that my father would make too many assumptions about why I’d felt the need to lie in the first place.
Telling the truth seemed like the only option at the time. Staring at my mom’s hurt, confused expression, I’m second-guessing.
