Page 94 of The Wedding Crush

“I hope this is okay with you?” He darts his gaze to Ace, who’s already fast asleep.

“Oh, my goodness, yes. That boy is heavy as all get-out.” I giggle nervously. “If anything, you saved me.”

Just tell him, Avery.

I take a deep breath, stilling my nerves.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, uh…”

I trail off but Stefano doesn’t miss a beat.

“I’m not falling for you anymore,” Stefano says, stealing my breath. “I’m in love with you, Avery Ellis.”

He’s breathing so hard. The vibration of his chest passes through to Ace, and I can’t stop watching his tiny body rise and fall.

Every plan I had of telling Stefano about our baby news goes straight out the window.

I’m an emotional, empathic mess inside. A bundle of feelings swarming all over me. What I feel, it isn’t one-sided, and knowing that makes everything feel within reach.

This is a milestone moment.

The man I love, loves me too. Even though he doesn’t know I’m pregnant yet, and while I should tell him now, I don’t want to taint this part. I don’t want to worry about whether his love will still stand when there’s another human involved. I don’t want to think about responsibility that won’t matter for months.

Plus, shouldn’t we come out as a couple to our friends and family before breaking any baby news?

Talk about bullet train bypassing stops.

“Say something, please.” His Adam’s apple bobs, and he smiles sweetly. “Because right now I’m freaking out, and I know I should’ve waited to tell you. I know we said this wasn’t supposed to be serious. This was just for fun. But I love you. You and your beautiful son are all I can think about, and you don’t wait with something this urgent.”

Stefano squeezes my hand and searches my eyes, imploring me to respond.

I peer up at him and smile.

Be bold.

On a deep breath, I say, “I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with you for weeks.” I shrug.

Stefano stares at me for a few seconds, then he releases my hand and curves his to my cheek. A slow smile bends his lips. “You know we’re asking for trouble, rushing in like this…”

“It sounds like fun.”

He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me until my knees are weak. My resolve not to get my hopes up is even weaker. No, I don’t want to taint this part.

We’ve got our last Dream Team meeting on Monday, right?

I’ll just tell him then.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Stefano

Monday morning islike déjà vu. Avery and I are back to ChatVideo. I’m in Healdsburg for in-person appointments with two of our wine distributor partners, and she’s in the city, working on events, shockingly unrelated to Dante and Morgan’s wedding. Just like that first time, the Dream Team is gathering to talk progress and logistics for this final meeting.

“Hey, thanks for logging in early. Sorry I’m late.” Avery laughs just as her screen border illuminates a bright blue, and her smiling face appears. “This day has been pure chaos.”

“Oh yeah?”

Again, she’s effortlessly, undeniably beautiful in a pale purple blouse. Her light pink blush is dusted over her smooth golden skin. Her bright brown gaze hasn’t yet fallen on me, but as always, she commands my attention.

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