Page 37 of The Boyfriend Material Novellas

Just do it.

Just tell him when you see him.

Just say the words.

I repeat these new mantras as I head to the boutique hotel.

As I walk through the entryway, I flash back to the night we first visited this place, and a smile tugs at my lips as I recall how we clicked. How he found the mistletoe in the hallway and gave me a heads-up before he swept me away with a kiss.

A kiss that made me swoon.

A kiss that melted me from head to toe.

He still kisses me that way. He kisses me with passion and tenderness, with hunger and need. And lately, with something more.

My heart flutters, and I set a hand on my chest as I walk into the lobby, thinking of how it feels when Vaughn kisses me now. It feels like he wants all the same things I do.

All of them?

A woman can hope.

My hand slides to my belly.

It’s flat now, but if all goes well, it won’t be flat for long.

And even though I didn’t plan for this change in my life, I can prep every damn day for the next nine months. Even though babies have a way of surprising you, I can handle this. I can do it on my own if I have to, because I know how to do things. I’ll make a plan.

And as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” floats through the lobby, sparkling with white flickering lights and decorated with wreaths, I don’t feel sad.

Which is odd because this song brings out the loneliest parts of me. The hurt parts of me. But as I listen to it now, I don’t feel that pain I used to. I don’t feel the sadness in my bones.

I feel . . . possibility.

I feel hope for the life inside me.

And I feel certain that even though Icando this alone, I don’t want to.

I want Vaughn beside me.

The man I love.

I have more to tell him than the baby news. I plan to tell him that I’m in love with him too, no matter how scary that is.

I want it all, and I want it all with him.

I take a deep breath and head into the venue. I’m the first one here because it’s my job to be early and check, then make sure, that everything is in place.

The tree looks magical, lit up and decorated with red-and-white bows and sporty ornaments—footballs and basketballs and baseballs and more, all with the names of Premiere’s clients on them. Garlands festoon the walls. A Skee-Ball machine occupies one corner. In another, a hot chocolate bar is ready to go. The catering staff has prepped yummy appetizers and a full buffet. Athletes have big appetites, after all.

Everything is ready.

And I suppose I need to be ready too.

We likely won’t have a minute alone till late into the night, so I’ll tell him everything when the party ends.

Deep breath.

* * *

---