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“Of course, I’m on your side.” Ellie hugged her. “I’ve always got your back.” She smiled but it was forced. “If anyone can make this work it’s you. You’re the strongest most wonderful person I know.”
“I have no intention of even trying to make this work. I don’t know why you won’t believe that. I’m going to marry him, get pregnant, have the baby and then we’ll get an amicable divorce.”
“I hope you’re right, but I’ve lived with a lot of men and it’s never that simple. You’re a kind and loving person. You find a way to love and care for everyone you meet. If you truly don’t mean for this to last then please, protect your heart.”
“From Harker?” Alison laughed. “That’s not a problem. I like the man. I respect him but I’ll never fall for him.” She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t even imagine having sex with him.”
“Why not? He’s gorgeous.”
“You think so?” She shrugged. “I did think he was attractive when I first saw him but now”—she made a face—“he’s just grumpy Gus Barker to me.”
“I can’t believe you don’t see how sexy he is.” Ellie sighed. “With that domineering attitude and the gray at his temples. I swear if the man hadn’t had the hots for you, I would’ve made a play for him on New Year’s Eve.”
“Instead of Adrian? Right.” Ellie’s boyfriend Adrian was the most attractive man Alison had ever seen outside of the movies.
“Okay, not once Adrian arrived but before then, yeah.”
“Maybe we should ask Harker if you can be my surrogate.” Alison grinned. “You can sleep with him.”
“I don’t think Adrian would agree to that, plus how would you two mingle your brilliant genes and create this super child?”
“Little details. We can work those out later.” She laughed.
“I think those are more than little details but even if we could, I’d have to decline. You can have that sexy man all to yourself.”
Alison grimaced. “I guess I’ll just close my eyes and hope he’s fast. I’m sure he will be. Most men only last a few minutes.”
“Not in my experience and I have to warn you, Harker is alpha male all the way. I doubt sex is going to be quick”—Ellie’s eyes softened—“but when a man knows what he’s doing it’s better than wonderful.”
A knock sounded on the door. Ellie walked across the room.
“Oh, please. It’s my wedding day. Let me have my dreams of quick sex and a fast pregnancy so I can get this all over…”
Ellie opened the door. “Harker. What are you doing here?” She glanced at Alison and stepped in the doorway, partially closing the door behind her. “You’re not supposed to see the bride until your wedding day.”
“It is my wedding day and her mother got lost. I was directing her to the room.”
Alison wanted to run and hide. He had to have heard her, didn’t he? She moved closer to the door to listen.
“Then where is Mrs. Robinson?” asked Ellie.
“Annie, the caterer, stopped to ask her a quick question. She’s over there.” He tipped his head to the right. “I thought I’d give Alison a heads-up. She’s said many times how her mother has the worst timing. I didn’t want her to overhear something about our wedding that she shouldn’t.”
Alison bit her lip, shifting closer. Harker didn’t sound upset. Did that mean he hadn’t heard her?
“That was nice of you,” said Ellie. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you both in the living room in a few minutes.”
Ellie stepped into the room, closing the door and leaning against it.
“Do you think he heard me?” Alison started to pace. “I couldn’t tell from his voice. Did he seem upset? Damn it. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. If he heard me, I’m going to have to apologize, and he doesn’t make that easy.”
“He may not have heard you. The doors are thick.”
“But he has excellent hearing, and you opened that door while I was saying I wanted to get this over with.”
“If he did hear you, say you meant the wedding. That’s normal.”
