Page 24 of Forever, Finally

“Good.” He touched her cheek. “Are you going to tell Rachel and Jenna?”

At the mention of her friends, some of Lily’s happiness faded. “I want to. It’s just I don’t know what they’re going to say.”

“Won’t they be happy for you?”

“Sure.” At least she thought they would be. A year ago she wouldn’t have even considered the question. The three of them had been friends forever, sharing each other’s happiness and sorrows. But then a year ago she would never have thought they would see their friendship unravel.

As always, Jake could read her mind. “So call Rachel. Tell her you miss her. Don’t you think she’s missing you, too?”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

Lily stared into the dark eyes of the man she’d married. He had been more than her rock—he was her conscience, her voice of reason, truly her better half.

They were married. Really married.

“Thank you for today,” she said.

“My pleasure.”

Was it? She had big plans for tonight and pleasure was definitely involved. If only she could convince Jake that pregnant and sexy could be the same thing.

* * *

After the party began to wind down, Jake walked Lily back to his place. His wedding band felt unfamiliar on his hand, but right. He’d wanted her for a long time and now she was his. So what was he going to do with her?

He’d been asking himself that question ever since she’d suggested they get married and he’d agreed, and he still didn’t have an answer.

Telling her the truth was the most obvious response. But he wasn’t sure what words to say or if she would believe him. He didn’t want her to think that he was saying what she expected to hear. Should he have told her before the wedding?

He shook his head. Getting married should have made things simpler, but instead his relationship with Lily was as complicated as ever.

“My house is going to be ready by the end of next week,” she said as they walked up the driveway toward the back door. “We haven’t talked about how we’re going to handle having two residences.”

“I figured we’d move into your place.”

She stepped into the kitchen. “Are you sure? I thought you liked your house.”

“I do.” He followed her and pulled the back door shut behind him. “But this place is small. With the baby coming, a larger home makes more sense.”

She paused in the kitchen and looked at him.

She’d worn her hair up for the wedding. A few tendrils had escaped and hung down in seductive curls. Tiny roses and baby’s breath decorated the upswept style, their creamy color matching her pearl earrings.

Her sleeveless dress fit her breasts, then hung down to just below her knees. The soft fabric draped over her belly in gentle folds. She was beautiful, elegant and sexy. He’d barely been able to avoid staring at the exposed cleavage during the wedding ceremony. More than once he’d caught himself wanting to move in close and cup those curves. He’d imagined tight nipples straining to escape, his mouth teasing them, her breath catching as he—

He swore silently and forced his mind away from the vision. Lily startled him by moving in front of him and placing her hands on his chest. For a single heartbeat, he thought she’d read his mind and didn’t think he was a complete jerk for wanting her.

“I don’t want you to lose your house because of me,” she said earnestly.

It took him a second to figure out what she was talking about. Then he remembered they’d been discussing which house to live in.

“You could keep this place as a rental,” she said. “You don’t have to sell it.”

“The place has no sentimental value,” he told her. “I’ll sell it and put the money away. Maybe start a college fund for the baby.”

Her breath caught. “Oh, Jake. I don’t deserve you.”