Page 23 of The Rancher's Pregnancy Surprise

You do what the other person wanted, always.

Shame engulfs me when I recall how foolish and gullible I was. The only boy I ever loved...guilt-tripped me into giving him my virginity. And that same boy didn't hesitate to dump me when he found out I was carrying his baby.

Seeing Claude's true colors had cured me of my heartbreak, and I honestly thought I was over men for good...until him.

Ronan.

Memories flood my mind, and I can feel my cheeks turning hot even when I'm alone in my room. I've met other good-looking guys before, and Claude himself wasn't terrible to look at. So why then? Why was Ronan able to affect me in a way no other man could?

And why do I have to meet him now when it feels like it's too late?

Why now...when God's already made clear that this time...

He already has a plan, and the next man I'll kiss is the man I'll be married to for the rest of my life.

Chapter Nine

"I THINK YOU'RE IN LOVEwith her," Eve Manolis declared sincerely. She turned to her boss, who was also her husband, asking earnestly, "Don't you think so, too?"

Ronan shot his friend a sardonic look. "Yes, do tell. Or better yet, remind me again of how you and Eve became a couple? Didyoualso believe you were in love with her from the start?"

Konstantin only smiled. "You make a good point. And the answer is no. Because I was a fool back then, and I ended up paying the price." Konstantin then turned back the table on the other man, drawling, "If you wish the same thing to happen in your life, far be it from me to stop you."

Ronan grimaced. He had walked straight into that one, and he only had himself to blame.

The three of them were seated in Konstantin's office at Stanhope Medical Center's newest branch in Laramie—a state-of-the-art facility that seemed more like a luxury hotel than a hospital, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of snow-capped mountains in the distance.

When Eve excused herself to take a call, Konstantin glanced at his friend thoughtfully. "You were never the type to waste time in denial."

"Who says I am?"

"You never mix business with pleasure. But for this girl, you broke every important rule there is..."

"Just like you did with Eve."

"Exactly, Ronan.Exactly. So again, I have to ask. Why waste time in denial?"

Ronan's lips tightened. Konstantin made it sound so damn simple. But there were things the other man didn't know about the past.

Eva came back, an apologetic smile on her face as she looked at her husband's friend. "Sorry about this, but Konstantin's one o'clock is here."

The two men rose to their feet, and Konstantin gave his friend a warning look. "Think about what I said. Don't wait until it's too late, and you've already lost everything."

Eve looked at Ronan in concern. "What's too late?"

Konstantin frowned down at his wife as he led her out of his office. "I'm a very jealous man, sweetheart. You don't need to waste a precious second worrying over an idiot like him."

Ronan could hardly believe it was his friend speaking. Jealousy and Konstantin in one sentence would never have made sense in the past. But falling in love with Eve had obviously changed that...just like things could also change for him.

And yet that was easier said than done.

Ronan saw himself out and the first thing he saw as soon as the elevator doors opened in the lobby was her.

Acacia stood near the reception desk, one hand absently rubbing her rounded belly as she spoke with the receptionist. She wore a simple blue maternity dress that accentuated her eyes and a gingham-patterned cardigan that hugged her shoulders. Herred-gold hair was pulled back in a loose braid, exposing the elegant curve of her neck.

She hadn't spotted him yet, giving him a moment to drink at the sight of her. She was still the most desirable little thing in his eyes, but...

Don't wait until it's too late, and you've already lost everything.

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