by Shealy James
Before dinner Harrison made a speech, sharing the news of Iris’s diagnosis with everyone there. He thanked me for making the event happen and thanked everyone for coming. It was a really nice speech. Dinner was good, but all it took was one whiff of the fish to have me out of the seat and running to the bathroom. Jane followed me, knowing exactly what was going on. I rinsed my mouth and ate a few crackers she had brought with her. After chewing some gum, I was back at the table like nothing happened. Jane sent me a conspiratorial wink when I was finally able to eat my filet mignon.
After dinner, everyone drank and donated money while they danced the night away. Our large group stuck close together because we knew we only had a limited time before half of us were on a plane headed for the other side of the country.
Maddox and Nolan were dancing together because Maddox’s dad took the news surprisingly well when he simply said, “About time you admitted it,” and shook both guys’ hands.
Daphne rested at the table with Iris and Grace while their husbands enjoyed time together.
The rest of us enjoyed the music and the dance floor, trading partners as we went because it is a rare day that we are all together. I was dancing with my dad when Grant came over to tell us midnight was drawing closer. “Mind if I steal her from you?” he asked my dad.
Dad smiled. “No son, she’s all yours.”
Grant pulled me into his arms to dance to “At Last” by Etta James. “I have barely gotten a chance to dance with my fiancée. She’s a popular girl.”
“I’m sorry. Are you missing the hordes of women vying for your attention?”
“Not even a little bit.” He gave me a quick kiss.
I wanted to share my big news with Grant, and this was our moment. It was right before midnight, and everything was perfect. I wanted him to share this moment with me whether the doctor had confirmed it or not. “You said I gave you just about everything you want when you proposed. What else do you want in our life?”
“One day I want to fill our house with babies and watch you feed them, bathe them, kiss them good night, and love them. I want everything with you, you know that.”
“What if one day was sooner than you think? Would that be okay with you?”
“Baby, what are you trying to tell me?”
“I think we need to get married sooner rather than later, because in a few months I’ll be showing like Daphne.”
“You’re—” His shock was apparent.
“I’m pregnant. That’s why I’ve been so sick. My mom and sister figured it out before me and made me take a test this morning.”
“We’re going to have a baby!” He was smiling wide now.
“We’re going to have a baby,” I confirmed. He picked me up and twirled me around just as I heard everyone counting down. On the stroke of midnight Grant’s lips touched mine, and they didn’t stop for the entire duration of “Auld Lang Syne.”
New Year.
New life.
All thanks to my CEO.
The End
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the readers for exploring Eve’s world. She wouldn’t leave me alone until I found her a man worthy of her heart. I can’t wait to share more with you in the rest of this series. Kitty is next. She just couldn’t let Eve have all the fun.
I don’t know what I would do without my Twitter buddy and critique partner, Ryan Ringbloom, who was the first to read the very rough copy of this novel. You are an amazing writer, reader, and friend. Thank you so much for all of your websites, advice, humor, and writing wisdom.
Much love to Sarah Cosey who lets me bounce ideas off of her daily. If I didn’t have someone who lets me pretend my imaginary friends were real, I might actually go crazy. Thanks for keeping me sane and giving me writing wisdom along with a better understanding of the strange people that exist only in my head.
I do not write in correct grammar the first five times I go through the story, so my writing would be impossible to share without the help of Karla Reed. Everyone needs a friend like you, but your editing skills, while priceless, are only a small part of why I am thankful to have you in my life. Thank you for everything.
I have recently joined the Limitless family, and I am loving every second of being in this supportive group. Thank you to the Limitless team who turned Whole Life Re-Do into The CEO.
Last but not least, I am so grateful to all the bloggers that help sell my books, but Debra with The Book Enthusiast Promotions is my go-to girl. She’s the one who helps guide me on this journey of self-promoting my books.
About The Author
Shealy James is a Georgia native who teaches math by day and writes romance at night. As an avid reader, expert on romantic comedy films, and lover of realistic characters who could be her best friends if only they really existed, Shealy appreciates when humor mixes with drama to guide her imaginary friends to their happy endings. And there must always be a happy ending. Shealy openly eats enough candy to feed a small nation, drinks sweet tea by the gallon, hopes to hit 10,000 steps each day, and lives every day with her amazing daughter.
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