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He finally checks his phone before saying, “I have to call Alan. It could take a while.”
I know what he’s asking without asking it. “Go and make your call. I’m okay.”
He gives me one last kiss before letting me go. As he does this, I reach for his arm and stop him. When he looks at me questioningly, I say, “I know Cecelia was your choice because of what she could do for your career, but why didn’t you find someone else? Someone you could have found happiness with too?” I’ve wondered this for nine long months. I found it hard to believe he’d given up on love, no matter how strong his goal of the presidency was. Bradford has too much soul to spend a lifetime in a loveless marriage.
He doesn’t have to think about his answer for even a second. “If I couldn’t have you, I didn’t want anyone.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later,Bradford is still on the phone with Alan. I’ve taken a shower in one of the bathrooms attached to Bradford’s bedroom. I chose the largest bathroom on offer because it has a bath as well as a shower in it. The bath overlooks Central Park and as far as I’m concerned, this is now my bathroom. I love it that much I will go to battle with him for it.
I’m dressed and am unpacking my suitcase when my phone rings. It’s my mother.
“Mom.” I answer the call.
“Kristen, where are you?” She sounds a little panicked, which is odd for my mother. She’s been known to spiral into panic when something goes wrong with one of her galas, but when it comes to everything else, she always remains calm.
“I’m at Bradford’s. Why?”
“The lawyer is here. We’re waiting for you.”
“I told Dad I’m not getting a divorce and I meant it.”
“Oh, Kristen, you don’t know what you’re saying. You don’t know that man. How can you possibly think a marriage with him will work out?”
“Why do you sound so panicked?”
“Because my daughter just got married to a man she doesn’t know. A man who was engaged to another woman. I’m worried that you aren’t in your right mind because this is very impulsive and you are far from an impulsive person. I know that getting married is everything you’ve ever wanted, but darling, this was not the right way to do it.”
“I do know Bradford, and my mind is in the best shape it’s ever been in. Oh, and I gave up on pursuing marriage when I left Johnathon. I just want love now. You and Dad need to accept that I’m not divorcing Bradford.”
When she turns silent, I ask, “Did you hear what I said, Mom?”
“I did.” There’s a lot more alarm in her tone now. “Will you come over and discuss this with your father and me? Please?”
“There’s nothing to discuss. Except the history between our families that Dad mentioned. What did he mean by that?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. He shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“Well, he did, so clearly he wants me to know about it.”
“No, he doesn’t. He wasn’t thinking straight when he said that.”
“Oh my God, Mom, just tell me.”
“I’m not discussing this with you, Kristen. Please just come over so we can sort this nonsense out.” She ends the call abruptly in a way she never ends a call.
I’m staring at my cell in shock when Bradford enters the bedroom.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, frowning at the expression on my face.
“Did you know there’s history between our families?”
“No. What kind of history?”
“I don’t know. And Mom’s refusing to discuss it with me. Whatever it is, though, has my parents on edge and my father ready to disown me for longer than he usually does when he’s angry with me.”
My phone rings again and when I see it’s my father, I answer it immediately. “Dad.”
