Page 40 of Keeping Happily Ever After

So, maybe he did know why he’d said something.

Still. Logan wasnotsupposed to say anything. None of them were supposed to say anything.

“What?”

“Married?”

“No way!”

“Bella?”

“So exciting!”

All the women spoke at once. All except one.

Everybody had turned to stare, open-mouthed, at Bella. Everyone except Stephanie, who watched Jeremy silently. Her lips pressed into a thin and somewhat unimpressed line.

And of course Bella, herself, looked at him with an expression he couldn’t fully read.

It only took her a second to compose herself. “I don’t know if now is the right time to—”

“Now is a great time.” Katie spoke up. She beamed at Jeremy.

They had a history, and he knew that it was ancient history and she only wanted the best for him. No doubt, she was thrilled with this news.

“You guys are gettingmarried?” She looked between them both.

Jeremy simply shrugged but he couldn’t have wiped the smile off his face if he’d tried. Sure, they hadn’t made any official plans and really, they hadn’t even finished the conversation the night before, butyesof course they were going to get married. Maybe not right away, but…

“Really,” Bella said. “I don’t think we should talk about this now. It’s Hope and Levi’s big day. I hate it when big news is announced at someone else’s event. It’s not really fair.” She turned to look at Hope and gave her a small smile. “I’m so sorry. This is your day. Well, it’s Jelly Bean’s day,” she added. “Nothing should take away from that.”

Hope and Bella exchanged a few words, but Jeremy wasn’t listening because all he could focus on was two words that Bella had said.

Big news.

“You know what,” Jeremy blurted out. “Bella is absolutely right. Like always.” He winked at her, but her face was still unreadable. “We don’t want to take any attention away from what’s really important right now.” Jeremy turned to Hope and Levi, who’d moved to stand behind his wife. “Today is all about the both of you and your little bundle. Ournewscan wait.”

There were a few more mumbled questions and comments, but for the most part, everyone moved on in different conversations. He moved to go to Bella, but Katie grabbed him and pulled him aside before he could reach her.

“Marriage? What?” She smacked him in the arm and pulled him into a hug. “I did not see that coming,” Katie said when she released him. “I mean, I know you are totally head over heels for Bella. Anyone can see that. But I did not think you guys would jump straight to marriage.”

“Well, it’s not like we’ve decided on—”

“Will you wait until after the movie has filmed, or do it right away? I mean, doesn’t she start right away? Oh, wow. You’re going to be so busy,” Katie continued to gush.

Jeremy tried not to be rude, as he attempted to catch Bella’s eye. But Steph had pulled her into a conversation and they were looking at their phones and not in his direction at all.

“Congratulations, man.”

Jeremy turned his attention back to the conversation at hand as Damon joined them.

He wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her close. “And good move, too. When you know what you want, make sure you go for it so she doesn’t get away.” He kissed Katie’s forehead. “I got lucky, but not everyone does,” Damon continued. “And I’ve been to those Hollywood parties…” He shook his head and let out a low whistle. “It’s probably not a bad idea to lock it down before she gets super famous and—”

“Lock it down?”

“Damon. That’s a terrible thing to say.”

Damon held up his hand in defense. “I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just that…well, it would take a pretty confident man to let his woman into that world without even a little bit of concern. That’s all I’m saying. And I’m for sure not the only one thinking it.”

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