There was a silent question in his expression.

I could still stop him.

Instead, I gave his hand a small squeeze.

He turned toward his aunt.

“Lorraine, I’d like you to meet Natalie.”

“How lovely.”

He continued.

“My wife.”

The Announcement Nobody Expected

Lorraine stared at us.

“Your wife?”

“That’s right.”

“Bennett, you aren’t married.”

“I am now.”

Her expression became even more suspicious.

“When exactly did this happen?”

Bennett answered without hesitation.

“About a month ago.”

I nearly turned to stare at him.

A month?

We hadn’t even agreed on a date.

Lorraine folded her arms.

“And where was this wedding?”

“At the courthouse.”

“Without telling your family?”

Before Bennett could answer, I spoke.

“We wanted something quiet. Neither of us wanted a big celebration.”

Lorraine studied me carefully.

“And who witnessed this mysterious ceremony?”

I suddenly understood why Bennett had looked nervous.

“My best friend, Harper,” I said. “And Caroline’s husband, Grant.”

Bennett gave me the smallest appreciative glance.

Unfortunately, Preston chose that moment to approach.

Brianna followed closely behind him.

“Natalie?”

His eyes moved between Bennett and me.

“What’s going on?”

Lorraine answered before either of us could speak.

“Apparently, my nephew has been keeping his marriage a secret.”

Preston looked stunned.

“Marriage? Natalie, you’re married?”

I kept my expression calm.

“We weren’t ready to announce it.”

He turned toward Bennett.

“And you’re married to her?”

Something in his tone made Bennett’s expression change.

“Yes. Is there a reason that surprises you?”

Preston struggled to respond.

“I just didn’t realize Natalie was seeing anyone.”

“Perhaps you don’t know as much about her life as you think,” Bennett replied.

Before Preston could say anything else, Caroline appeared beside us.

She looked from my face to Bennett’s hand holding mine.

Then she noticed Preston.

My sister understood enough to realize I needed help.

“There you two are!” she exclaimed.

I stared at her.

Caroline smiled brightly.

“Natalie, I was wondering when you were finally going to tell everyone.”

Bennett looked impressed.

Preston looked increasingly uncomfortable.

“You knew?” he asked Caroline.

“Of course. She’s my sister.”

Grant arrived moments later.

Caroline slipped her arm through his.

“Honey, tell Bennett how happy we are for him and Natalie.”

Grant glanced at his new wife, then at us.

He clearly had no idea what was happening.

Still, he smiled.

“We’re very happy for them.”

For the first time that evening, I felt as though someone had chosen to stand beside me instead of asking me to tolerate another uncomfortable moment.

The Truth Behind Bennett’s Strange Request

Later, Bennett and I stepped onto a quiet terrace overlooking the water.

The breeze felt wonderful after the crowded ballroom.

I released his hand.

“You realize we’ve created a ridiculous situation.”

“I’m beginning to understand that.”

“Your aunt is going to ask questions.”

“Many questions.”

“And my family will never let me forget this.”

He sighed.

“I owe you an apology.”

I looked at him.

“For what?”

“I asked you to participate in something complicated without explaining everything first.”

He told me his aunt wanted him to marry a woman named Audrey, whose father was involved in a major business partnership with his company.

Audrey was perfectly pleasant, he explained, but neither of them wanted the relationship.

In fact, Audrey had been quietly dating someone else for almost a year.

“Then why doesn’t she tell her family?”

“Her father has been recovering from surgery. She doesn’t want another family argument right now.”

I considered that.

“So you decided inventing a wife would be easier?”

Bennett smiled sheepishly.

“It seemed like a reasonable idea approximately twenty minutes ago.”

I laughed.

Then I asked the question that had been bothering me.

“Why did you choose me?”

He looked toward the ballroom.

“I saw you speaking with your former husband.”

My smile faded.

“You heard that?”

“Enough to understand he wasn’t being particularly kind.”

I looked away.

“I’m used to it.”

“That’s what bothered me.”

I turned back toward him.

Bennett continued.

“I asked Grant about you. He told me you worked nights to finish nursing school, helped your sister through college, and raised your daughter without much support.”

I felt my throat tighten.

“Grant told you all that?”

“He said you were the person everyone called when something went wrong.”

I nodded slowly.

That sounded like Grant.

“He also said people sometimes forget to ask whether you’re doing okay.”

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then Bennett said something I would remember long afterward.

“I thought maybe someone should be there for you tonight.”

The Apology I Never Expected

The terrace door opened.

Caroline stepped outside.

Her wedding gown rustled softly as she approached.

“Natalie, can we talk?”

I glanced at Bennett.

He stepped back.

“I’ll give you some privacy.”

Caroline waited until he was inside.

Then she took my hand.

“I’m sorry.”

I frowned.

“What happened?”

“I saw Preston talking to you earlier. I should have stepped in.”

“It’s okay.”

She shook her head.

“No, it isn’t. Everyone has gotten so comfortable expecting you to handle everything that we’ve stopped noticing when you need support.”