Page 113 of Wicked Love

“This is wonderful news,” Mom says. “We’ll organize the guest room for her right away. New, softer linens…”

My head tilts. “Mmm, not exactly what I was thinking, Mom.”

“For goodness sake, Paulina, they’re having a baby together! Surely they’ll be in the same bedroom,” Mrs. McGregor says, tutting under her breath.

My mom looks at me, mouth forming in a tight line. “You should really make it official. She’s having your baby.”

“I’m not marrying anyone just because they’re having my baby.”

“Do you love her?” Mom asks.

My mouth parts and I swallow hard. “Yes,” I say gruffly.

She looks so pleased I have to laugh.

“Okay then,” she says like that settles that.

It isn’t lost on me that this is the second time marriage has been brought up today.

“What can we do to help?” Mrs. McGregor asks. “We can have a dinner prepared, a nice dessert. Something special.”

“Yes, a perfect evening. Flowers, the whole nine yards,” my mom adds.

I try not to balk at their eagerness. “I’ll figure it out,” I say, holding up my hands in surrender. “It’s not the first time I’ve mentioned it to her. She hasn’t said yes yet, and she might not. I just wanted you to know what I’m thinking…that I’m trying to convince her. Let me do this my way. But I’ll keep you posted, okay?”

They exchange a glowing look, probably the most peaceful they’ve been in weeks, and I can see the wheels turning behind their eyes.

“Just don’t scare her off, okay?” I tease. “She’s going to show up here and find casseroles and bouquets, isn’t she?”

Mom tries to look innocent. “We would never,” she says, failing to hide her grin.

“We’ll keep it subtle, don’t worry,” Mrs. McGregor says, winking.

“Subtle. Right,” I snort.

Now if Poppy will just say yes.

Who knew I’d be aching for a woman to move in with me?

Maybe if she moves in with me, I can get everyone off my back about marriage.

But even as I have the thought, I can picture Poppy walking down the aisle toward me in a white dress.

Fuck me.

I’m in this deeper than I realized.

I think maybe I’d do anything to make Poppy Keane my wife. The thought is too terrifying to untangle, so I go through Becca’s nighttime routine with her and then swim until I’m too tired to think anymore.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

SO FAR GONE

POPPY

I do one last check in the mirror when I hear Bowie pull up. My hair is in two French braids that trail down my back. The weather has gotten a lot warmer and we’ll be outside all day at a charity event, so I want my hair out of my way.

The bell rings and I grab my tote. When I open the door, Becca stands at Bowie’s side, eyes going round.

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