Page 363 of The Christmas Wife

"You expect us to believe that grumpass took one look at you and decided you were going to be his wife?" She stabs a finger in my direction.

I raise my gaze to hers and nod firmly. In this, at least, I’m not lying. The truth in my eyes must convince Gio, for she seems taken aback.

"It’s not that I don’t believe in insta-love. I’m the living embodiment of it, after all, but getting married to him within the week you go to work for him?" She shakes her head.

"I know it’s a little rushed?—"

"Try very rushed." Gio scowls.

"Give the girl a chance to speak," Abby admonishes her.

Gio firms her lips but continues to stare at me with a speculative look in her eyes.

"Is this what you want?" Summer searches my features. "Is it, Mira? Because if you have your heart set on it, then of course, we’re in your corner."

"But if that asshat is holding something over you—" Gio begins.

"Didn’t you agree when Rick asked you to marry him? And you knew him for a short period of time.

"I met him months before he asked, but yes, I only got to know him properly for a week before I agreed." She tossesher hair over her shoulder. "I suppose, I shouldn’t be lecturing you about the need for caution, but I worry about you, Mira. You’re?—"

"Innocent?"

"In a good way. You’re the best of us. You have a heart that is swayed so easily."

"Doesn’t mean I’m stupid." I set my jaw.

"I didn’t say that. I only mean, you lead with your emotions. You’re the woman who volunteers at the senior citizen’s center when you’re not taking care of kids at the preschool."

"Nothing wrong with volunteering." I tip up my chin.

"But you went above and beyond the call of duty. You started a knitting club so those old ladies had something to look forward to."

"Only because they love reading smut, as do I."

"Wait, you started a smut club for grannies?" Penny gapes.

"And one grandpa, if you want to be accurate, but yes. We meet weekly and knit and talk about spicy books. You should hear them. Their vocabulary of four-letter words puts the rest of us to shame."

Gio chuckles. "That’s what I mean. You’re smart and sexy. You light up any room you walk into, Mira. While Edward—" She shakes her head. "Is not the easiest man to be with."

"Maybe that’s why they work," Penny says slowly.

Silence descends.

"What?" She looks around the room. "It’s why Knight and I are so good together. He’s a grumpy-face, and I can’t stop myself from having a smile on mine" She curves her lips to demonstrate.

"Itisprobably why I’m so attracted to him," I admit.

"Hmm." Gio shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Edward’s a complex man.”

"That’s putting it lightly." I half laugh.

Abby taps the arm of the couch. "I think we all agree that our relationships with our respective husbands did not begin in the most traditional of ways?—"

"—but it turned out well, and we’re very happy," Abby murmurs.

"Blissfully." Summer nods.

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