The Bachelor's Little Bonus (Proposals & Promises 3) by Gina Wilkins

Author:Gina Wilkins
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Neighbor, Free Spirit, Emotional, Financial Analyst, Proposals & Promises, Sensual, Adult, Best Friend, Bachelor, Pregnancy, Fiction, Forever Love, Widower, Love Falling, Celebrate, Marriage of Convenience, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Arrangement, Contemporary, Family Life
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Published: 2016-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

The quiet in the room was deafening. Stevie could almost hear her own rapid heartbeat as she waited for her friends’ reactions. Of all their possible responses, silence was the last thing she expected.

It seemed minutes before Tess roused first from the temporary paralysis. “You’re married?”

“Yes. For three whole days now.” With a look of apology, she sought out the gaze of her oldest friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. It’s just...well, it all happened very fast.”

Setting aside her teacup, Jenny rose slowly to her feet. “I can’t believe this, Stevie. It’s...it’s just...I can’t believe you’re married.”

“When did all this come about?” Tess nudged the cat gently out of the way and stood. “You never even hinted that you and Cole were seeing each other.”

Stevie twisted her hands in front of her. “It’s sort of a long story. I was going to tell you part of it when we got together last week, but it was the night you announced your pregnancy, Jen. I didn’t want to steal your thunder or worry either of you. Cole and I agreed it might be easier for us to elope and tell you everything afterward. Please don’t be hurt that I didn’t tell you first. As I said, this all came about very quickly, and there was hardly time to make any calls. I didn’t even tell my mom until after the wedding.”

She watched as her friends exchanged glances that held all the doubts and concerns she’d braced for. “You don’t have to look so worried. I knew what I was doing, and I gave it careful consideration.”

Okay, maybe she’d given it all of five minutes consideration before she’d accepted Cole’s proposal, she thought with a slight wince of memory. Perhaps it would be best not to mention that just now.

“Forgive us for being skeptical,” Jenny said slowly, “but, Stevie...have you lost your mind?”

Stevie didn’t take offense. She might have said exactly the same thing if the tables had been turned. “No. I have my reasons, Jen, and I think when you hear them you’ll agree they’re good ones.”

“The only valid reason to marry is for love,” Jenny retorted flatly. “Aren’t you the one who made that declaration repeatedly when I was considering Thad’s proposal? You were never enthusiastic about my relationship with him because you said it was too calculated and dispassionate. You were all for me getting back with Gavin despite our differences, because you knew I had always loved him.”

“And didn’t you nag me to make sure Scott and I were getting married for the right reasons?” Tess chimed in. “You said marriage should be more than a practical business arrangement. You were so insistent that I actually broke off our engagement until Scott was able to convince me he was in love with me. So I hope you have a very good reason for eloping with your neighbor.”

“I did marry Cole for love,” Stevie assured them, her hand on her stomach. She loved this baby enough

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