Page 110 of Perfect (mis)Match

“Can we talk for a second?” I asked.

Vincent’s frown intensified. “What’s going on?”

“Just come with me,” I said as I pulled him out of the grand space and into the butler’s pantry by the kitchen.

Vincent watched me skeptically. “You’ve got me very freaked out, Piper.”

My heart thudded in my chest, because this moment was about to change everything between us.

“I know you like a plan,” I began slowly. “No, youneeda plan. It’s part of the reason why you’re so successful. You map out a strategy and follow it to a tee. But sometimes…” I smiled at him, “sometimes life has other ideas.”

He was shaking his head as I spoke. “I don’t like the sound of this. At all. What’s going on?”

“Vincent…” I moved forward to take his hands in mine. “I know we said we needed to wait to start a family, but…” I let go of one of his hands and ran it down my stomach.

His mouth dropped open, and he froze.

“Piper.”

I nodded, relieved that I didn’t have to hide it from him any longer.

I’d found out the day before the party, and I’d planned to tell him once it was over, when we had time to ourselves again. But the combination of his questions and my increasing symptoms made it an impossible secret to keep.

“I’m about eight weeks along,” I said.

Vincent shook his head like he still couldn’t quite process the news. “But…how did you not know sooner?”

“I’ve always been irregular, so I didn’t question when I was late. And we’ve been careful.”

“Except thatonetime,” he said with awe in his voice. “Oh my god, Piper, we’re pregnant!”

He swept me into his arms and spun me around, realizing during the second turn it might not be the best idea to pirouette a woman who got seasick walking across the room. He placed me back on the floor then kissed me.

My heart was exploding into a thousand joyful fragments. How did I get so lucky?

Vincent cupped my cheek in his hand and stared into my eyes.

“Oh, my sweet Piper,” he murmured. “I’m in shock. And I’m just so damn happy.”

“Me too,” I replied. “I know it wasn’t in our plans, and we’re both super busy?—”

“Hey,” he cut me off with a frown. “Nothingis more important than this.”

He placed his hand on my stomach.

“We’ll make it work,” he continued. “You’ve got a few months to get everything situated with Strapped, and then Darcy and the rest of your team can step in to cover for you. Knowing the way your mind works, I’m sure you’ll push yourself until the very last second.”

I laughed. “Maybe. But I love it, you know that.”

“I do,” he said, touching his forehead to mine and resting his hand on the back of my neck, like we were teammates in a huddle.

Which we sort of were.

“Then once our beautiful baby is here, you can go back to work whenever you’re ready, and I’ll take over,” he said, pulling away slightly so he could watch my face.

I frowned at him. “Take over? What do you mean?”

His jaw clenched for a moment before he spoke, like he was working up the courage to say what was on his mind.

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