A Pregnancy, a Party & a Proposal. Teresa Carpenter

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СКАЧАТЬ bad the knowledge wasn’t worth the hassle it would bring. The photo had already gone viral. And, yep, right on cue his phone rang. The ringtone, an Irish ditty, announced that his grandmother waited at the other end.

      “Hello, Mamó. How are you on this bright winter morning?”

      “What do you know of winter? I saw on the news it’s seventy degrees in Los Angeles. We’ve snow up to our knees. That’s winter.”

      “I hope you aren’t shoveling the drive again? I hired someone to keep the drive and walk clear.”

      “Wasted money.” Annoyance flashed down the line. “We don’t need it more than half the time.”

      “That’s not the point.” His brows drew together. It wasn’t like Mamó to be grouchy. Thrifty, yes, but generally good-natured. He sought to distract her. “What do you have planned for your birthday?”

      “Oh, they’re making a fuss and I don’t want it.”

      “They” being his aunt Ellie and his cousin Kyla.

      “Nothing special about being another year older when I have nothing to show for it.”

      Knowing she meant great-grandkids, he dropped his head onto the back of the sofa. Lately she’d been more and more verbal about her desire for him to settle down and start a family.

      “Are they taking you out to dinner?”

      “No. They have a party planned at the community center. I keep telling them it’s a waste of space and time.”

      “Everyone loves you, Mamó. I’m sure the place will be packed with your friends.”

      “It is difficult these days. My friends like to crow about their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I have nothing to share.”

      “Mamó...”

      “I know you don’t want to hear this. But it is my life.”

      He frowned over the despair in her voice. He’d never heard her so depressed.

      “I’m sorry—”

      “Stop.” A loud sigh blew in his ear. “Listen to me rant. Forgive an old woman her bitter babbling. I miss you, my boy. It would cheer me greatly if you could come to my party.”

      “A visit?” he mused. He might be able to manage that. A trip would help him to put Lauren out of his mind again.

      Goodness knew there were a few harrowing memories waiting there for him. Perhaps it was time to put them behind him.

      “Yes.” Mamó showed a spark of life. “And you can bring your girlfriend with you.”

      Uh-oh. “Girlfriend?”

      “Yes. I saw all the pictures of the two of you on the internet. You look so handsome.” Her voice contained a world of excitement. “The two of you look just like a bride and groom yourselves.”

      In her stunning silver dress Lauren had looked like a bride. He remembered the stutter of his heart when she had started down the aisle toward him. In the midst of a harrowing day, she’d been the ideal distraction.

      Now that played against him, giving Mamó unrealistic hopes.

      “She’s a lovely girl. I’m so excited to know you’re seeing someone. Say you’ll bring her.”

      This was going downhill fast. Mamó was setting herself up for disappointment if she believed a future existed for him and Lauren. “Listen—”

      “You can’t fool me. It’s clear in the pictures you care for her. Please, Ray?” Mamó beseeched. “You have to come and bring her with you. It’s my dearest wish. And this may be my last birthday.”

      She was always saying things like that, but one of these days it would be true.

      * * *

      Comfortable in yoga pants and a cap-sleeved tee, Lauren sat on her beige sofa, feet kicked up on her ottoman coffee table, tea at her elbow, trying to focus on the mystery book she’d been saving for her vacation. Her mom, dad and brother had left for Palm Springs after breakfast, leaving Lauren free to head home and officially start her vacation.

      With Tori taking two weeks off for her honeymoon, Lauren had decided to have a much needed break as well. She saw it as a great opportunity to let their new assistants take the lead on the two events scheduled for the coming week. The women had done a great job at the wedding and were ready for more responsibility.

      Only a week off for Lauren, though. Hollywood’s premier awards ceremony aired on Sunday, and By Arrangement was hosting Obsidian Studios’ after-party.

      The event represented a major goal for the company. Yes, Tori was now married to the owner, but Lauren took pride in the fact that By Arrangement had earned the contract before they’d got engaged. Their work for Obsidian at the Hollywood Hills Film Festival had become legendary.

      For the past two months they’d been getting more work than they could handle. She’d gotten three new calls just this morning.

      Much as she loved her family, Lauren had been glad to see them go. Being around her mom and not telling her about the baby had just felt wrong. But Lauren wasn’t ready to confess her condition yet. Not just because she wanted Tori to be there when she revealed the news, but because Lauren needed to get used to the idea herself.

      Which also explained why she wasn’t ready to talk to Ray.

      In a perfect world she wouldn’t have to talk to Ray at all. She could dismiss him as a sperm donor and go about her life raising her child as she pleased. Unfortunately she possessed too much integrity for that option. Plus her work and his crossed paths too often for a pregnancy to go unnoticed.

      A knock at the door drew her brows together in a frown. She couldn’t think of a single person who might be calling. Setting her teacup on the ottoman, she made her way to the door. Where she caught sight of herself in the mirror over the hall table.

      She skidded to a halt on the hardwood floor. She didn’t have a lick of make-up on. After a bout of morning sickness she’d scrubbed her face clean and changed into comfy clothes. She’d barely run a brush through her hair before throwing the mass into a ponytail. She looked like a slightly hungover sixteen-year-old.

      With any luck it would be a Girl Scout selling cookies. Lauren could buy a box of chocolate mints and send the child away without too much embarrassment.

      A glance through the peephole proved she wasn’t that lucky. Ray stood on the other side of the door. Geez, how did he even know where she lived?

      Maybe if she didn’t answer he’d go away. As soon as that thought registered she reached for the doorknob. It smacked of cowardice—something she refused to allow.

      “Hey,” Ray greeted her.

      Of course he looked sensational, in black chinos and an olive lightweight knit shirt under a black leather jacket.

      “Can I talk to you? СКАЧАТЬ