Page 45 of Valentine's Day Proposal

Charles sighed deeply, seeming content with the day. He kissed my forehead and stood up. “I have to get dressed now, okay?” He lingered for a moment, and I didn’t want him to go. I knew that getting back into our normal routine was going to be challenging, but it was necessary. We’d worked out that I would bring Hanna to work with me for the first six months or so, and by then we would have vetted a proper nanny for her.

He disappeared into the bedroom, and I sat cradling my little girl. He was right. Life was so different now. So much had changed externally, but it wasn’t the outward changes that made me feel overwhelmed by the shock of it all. It was how my heart had been transformed.

In the past year, pain that I carried for almost a decade had been washed away. Trust issues that I had, which I thought I’d never get rid of had vanished. It had taken a lot of emotional energy, and we’d fought a lot, but we were stronger for it. And we had this beautiful baby girl to help us remember what was really important about life.

Charles came out of the bedroom wearing his suit, his hair brushed to the side. I thought he looked as handsome as ever, ready to take on the world.

“I will stay if you want me to.”

“You have to get back to work sometime. Just go. I’ll be fine. I think I’ll nurse her and then we will nap together.” I kissed him as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. “Maybe we’ll order out tonight. That way no one has to cook.”

“But I like cooking for you.” He kissed Hanna’s head and then straightened, buttoning his suit coat.

“Well, then we’ll have whatever you want to cook.” I yawned, finding it difficult to hold my eyes open. My body felt like it had run a marathon.

“As long as I can have you for dessert.” Playful as always, Charles offered another peck to my forehead before he let himself out. I watched him leave. Life looked different than I thought it would, but it wasn’t bad. Even Mel had found someone, and Charles had found Nina a new job with another senator, which made me even happier.

I didn’t believe in fairy tales in real life, but my life was as close to one as it could get. I’d settle for that over a glass slipper any day.

39

EXCERPT: JUST ANOTHER CHANCE

Igave Tanner my heart, and he gave me all the reasons why I should never trust men again.

It had been two years since I’d seen his gorgeously devastating face.

Two years since I’d found out that I was pregnant with his baby.

His betrayal forced me to skip town and keep it a secret.

And just when I thought I could mend my heart, he returned to my life.

Still as handsome as I remembered.

I still longed for him to hold me, to make me feel alive.

But he had questions… lots of them.

Especially since our son looked exactly like him.

Tanner’s return could destroy everything I’d built on my own.

He’s a billionaire but money can’t buy my trust.

Will he be the one to take my son away from me, or the one to save us both?

Addie

The two little, pink lines on the stick don’t lie: I’m pregnant.

Maybe I should be scared or worried about telling the father like most women in my position might be, but I’m not. Confidence and excitement fill me because I am in love with the most amazing man in the world. His name is Tanner Beckett and when I tell him tonight that we’re going to have a baby, I know that he’s going to be just as excited as I am.

Two months ago, I met Tanner at the small flower shop where I work. He came in to order an arrangement to send to his younger sister for her birthday. I helped him pick out the prettiest flowers we had, and he’d lingered much longer than necessary. Before leaving, he asked me on a date. I couldn’t say yes fast enough even though I’d like to think I played coy. At least a little.

Who am I kidding?He was the hottest man I’d ever seen, and an electric attraction sparked immediately between us. The moment he asked me out, I probably turned into a babbling fool.

Yes, yes, yes!

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