Page 33 of Her Athlete's Wedding Secret

“We’re expecting a baby next January!” Lauren said.

“That’s amazing! Congratulations!” Tessa said.

“No way!” Benson said, slapping Chase on the arm. “You’re going to be a dad?”

Penny came running into the room from down the hall. “He’s already a dad!”

“That’s true,” Chase said to his stepdaughter. “And I’m so happy I get to be your dad.”

“Hi there, Penny.” Tessa bent down to her level. “How are you?”

“I’m going to be a big sister! I can’t wait!”

Lauren laughed. “It’s a good thing we told you about the baby coming. Penny isn’t the best at keeping secrets.”

Benson laughed.

“Who’s hungry?” Lauren asked.

“I am,” Benson said.

“Great. Have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring the food out.”

“How have you been feeling?” Tessa asked when Lauren came out with the food.

Lauren set the platter with cut-up chicken on the table. “I’ve been a little tired, but it hasn’t been too bad so far. I didn’t get too sick when I was pregnant with Penny.”

“I feel bad having you do all this work to serve us with you in your condition.”

“It’s no problem. I just take lots of breaks to get my energy back up, and I’m fine.” She went back into the kitchen to grab more food.

“I saw that you guys have horses out there,” Tessa said.

“That’s right,” Chase said. “We just got those.”

“Tessa told me she’d like to learn to ride,” Benson said.

“Oh?” Chase asked. “You should ride ours.”

Lauren emerged from the kitchen with a dish filled with roasted potatoes. “I can’t ride since I’m pregnant now.”

“You can’t?” Benson asked.

“Nope. There’s too much risk to the baby if I were to fall off the horse,” Lauren said.

“I see,” Benson said. “I don’t know much about all that. Just what I saw my sister go through.”

“We can’t wait for this little guy or girl to come,” Chase said.

“We’re excited,” Lauren said, taking a seat at the table.

“This looks fantastic,” Benson said. “It’s so nice of you to have us over.”

“You’re both welcome to come over any time you want.” Chase served up some chicken onto his plate and then handed the tongs to Tessa.

“Thank you,” Tessa said, serving herself up.

“So you two have to pretend you’re together to the media and people around town, don’t you?” Lauren asked.

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