Destined to Love (Starting Over Trilogy Book 3) by Brenda Kennedy

tonight?” 
    “Sure, that sounds great.”  
    “Ok, let me shower first, then I’ll be ready.”
    Mason and I go out for pizza and salads for dinner. We talk about the news we received today at the doctor’s office and about planning our wedding. He asks if I want to move the date up for the wedding, and I don’t. I still don’t want to interfere with Brea and Vincent’s wedding. I ask him if the news we received today has changed any feelings he has, and it hasn’t. He still feels this baby is his and he will love it, no matter what. I believe him; I have no reason not to. That eases a lot of stress from me. I would understand if it is too much for him. We did the pregnancy test, but I think we were still hoping it was wrong.  
    When we get home, we walk through the spare bedrooms and decide which will make the best room for my office. We don’t talk about the baby’s room or a nursery or anything pertaining to children.
    I have already spoken to Sara and Brea about leaving and told them that my last day will be Friday. It is bittersweet. I love them and love working for them, but this will be the ideal move for me, Mason, and our family. It’s time I put my college degree to use.  
    The next day we clean the house and go to the grocery store. Mason’s Mom, Dad, and sister are coming to dinner. I want everything to be perfect. We stop and get some fresh-cut flowers for the table before heading home.
    I was going to cook, but Mason thought it would be too much, so he is going to have steaks on the grill. While the steaks marinate, we make potato salad, baked beans, and fruit salad. Mason is wearing his signature white linen shirt and a pair of plaid shorts. His hair is curly and unruly, and he smells of spice and sandalwood. The music is on the surround sound, and he is singing to every song that comes on. I love seeing him so carefree and happy.  
    I shower and dress in a white sundress to match Mason’s white shirt. He sees me and walks over to me and lifts me up so we are eye to eye.
    He smiles and says, “You look beautiful.”  
    I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you, you look pretty handsome yourself.”
    The doorbell rings and Mason walks to the door still carrying me. I giggle, wrap my legs around his waist, and hold on so I won’t fall. He opens the door wide for his family to enter, without putting me down and I laugh.
    “Hi, come on in,” I say, still laughing.  
    Mason slowly lowers me, and his Mom and Dad kiss and hug me before kissing and hugging Mason. Madison hugs me then Mason. I close the door and everyone gathers outside near the bar. Bruce pours Mason and himself a Scotch and pours champagne for Madison, Lilly, and me. I look over at Mason and notice that he is watching me. I don’t say anything; I just take the champagne and smile. I have a bottle of water and I continue to drink it. Mason hasn’t drunk any alcohol since my birthday. I wonder if he’ll drink the Scotch.
    He puts the steaks on the grill and walks over to me. “Are you feeling all right?”  
    “Yes, I’m fine. I didn’t know what to say when Bruce handed me the champagne.”  
    “It must have been a little awkward.”  
    “It’s fine, I just told them the heat was getting to me so I was going to stick to my water.”
    “Good thinking.”  
    I kiss Mason before he returns to the grill to remove the steaks. Madison, Lilly, and I place all the food out on the large round outside table. Mason and I sit side by side, then Lilly, Bruce, and Madison seat themselves around the table. As always, the conversation flows easily as we talk about our recent engagement.
    “Angel, I would love to throw you and Mason an engagement party and have some of our family and friends and Bruce’s and Mason’s colleagues come,” Lilly says, with a gleam in her eyes.  
    “Lilly, that is very thoughtful and sweet of you, but Mason and I would rather not.”  
    “Mom, Angel and I just want to keep this small,