Page 73 of Sizzling Desire

I inhale deeply. “We’re going to do this together,” I say, voice softer than I intended. “The baby. Figuring us out. All of it.”

Kate studies me for a moment. “And how do you feel about that?”

I think about Kane. About the way he looks at me now, like I’m the most important thing in his universe. About the way his hands linger on my stomach when he thinks I’m not paying attention. About the way he whispers things in the dark when he thinks I’m asleep, promises he hasn’t said out loud yet.

I shrug, trying to downplay it. “It’s... complicated.”

Kate’s smile is knowing. “You love him.”

I snort. “That’s a strong word.”

Kate laughs. “Oh, Gracie. You’re already in so deep.”

I groan and cover my face with my hands. “I hate you.”

“No, you love me,” she corrects, nudging my side. “And you love Kane, even though you refuse to say it.”

I drop my hands with a dramatic sigh. “You’re insufferable.”

Kate grins, winking. “And right.”

I roll onto my side, facing her. “Fine. Enough about my emotionally confusing love life. Let’s talk about yours. Are you freaking out yet?”

Kate shakes her head immediately. “Not even a little.”

I blink. “Seriously?”

Kate sighs, soft and happy, like she’s been waiting for this day her whole life. “Grace, I’ve never been more sure about anything. Hudson is it for me. I know it.”

Something in my chest warms at the certainty in her voice.

“You’re not nervous at all?” I ask, half-impressed, half-incredulous.

She shakes her head. “Not about him. Not about us.”

I smile, nudging her foot with mine. “I’m happy for you, Kate. Really.”

Kate beams. “I know.”

We lie there for a moment, the quiet between us comfortable, the excitement for tomorrow hanging in the air.

Kate is getting married. Married.

And somehow, amid all the chaos and change, it feels like things are exactly where they’re supposed to be.

The world around me is a dreamscape of soft, golden light and ocean air. The sky is painted in streaks of dusky pink and lavender, stretching endlessly above a quiet beach. Warm waves kiss my bare feet as I stand at the shoreline, the wind teasing through my hair.

I turn, and Kane is there.

Dressed in an undone white button-down, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and those damn fitted pants that hug his frame just right, he looks like he belongs here—like this place was made just for him. Just for us.

His hands slide into the pockets of his dress pants, his lips tilting in that way—not quite a smile, but something deeper, something real.

I step toward him, but my dress catches on the breeze, the hem floating around my ankles in delicate whispers of lace. A wedding dress.

I gasp, looking down at the fabric, feeling its softness beneath my fingers. My heart stutters in my chest.

The realization sinks in like a slow, sweet wave.

---