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Now Rafe would be there for the big reveal And her father, too Dear Lord She should have thought this through earlier Because she realized now that she just wasn’t ready to sit in her mother’s office and look in her father’s face and tell him about the baby

He was a wonderful man, her father He was the best She couldn’t bear to think he ht be disappointed in her

Rafe caught her ar on her feet the tiniest bit “Gen Do you need to sit down?”

She blinked up at him, all too aware of his touch, of the heat of hi scent Of the velvet darkness of his eyes Carefully, she eased her arrip “Really, I’m fine”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes I’, let me handle it with my parents”

He studied her from under the heavy shelf of his brow Evidently, he believed that she wasn’t going to faint, because he didn’t try to steady hear again, but only lifted one huge shoulder in a shrug “You don’t want

Or was he?

She really couldn’t tell “I No, of course not It’s already decided We’re just sharing our plans” For that, she got another unreadable look, one that had her waving a nervous hand “More or less Can we not overthink it, please?”

He captured her hand as it fluttered between them and pressed his lips to the back of it A wariant rock of a man, he did have the softest, supplest mouth “As you wish, love,” he said

Love He’d been calling her that forever—at least since she was thirteen or so She’d always liked it when he called her that, and felt as cherished as a dear friend

Now, though, it only reht to be as his bride

She cleared her throat “Ready?” He offered his aret this over with”

In herarea with its long velvet sofa and priceless old wing chairs