[What I said at the wedding wasn't heartfelt. I only said it to calm him down.]
[You know about his condition—I had to be tough.]
[Don't be angry, and take it to heart, okay?]
[I'll come back once he's steadier and we'll set a new date.]
Reading those lines, I could practically see her expression as she typed. I picked up my phone, let my fingertip hover for a moment, then slowly typed two words. [No need.]
I'd almost finished packing when the lock clicked and the door opened. Eliana supported a very drunk Gideon into the room.
"Gideon's had too much. He insists on sleeping in our bed and I couldn't say no," she said. "Jared, please understand."
"Please understand." Those words turned like a rusty key in the lock of memory.
Six months earlier, this suite had been brand new. My mother had come over delighted, wanting to sit on the new bed and test the mattress. However, Eliana had brusquely blocked her.
"Auntie, in my hometown we never let outsiders touch the marital bed—it's unlucky."
I still remembered my mother's embarrassed, disappointed face as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Now that rule meant nothing in front of Gideon.