Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,75

store I went to didn’t make maternity Cinderella dresses because, apparently, that dream is a wish a harlot makes. The only thing I could find was this pumpkin!”

And so…she looked like a perfect pumpkin.

Also very pregnant.

I said the only thing a sane man who hoped to retain his balls might have said.

“You’re beautiful.”

Rory disagreed. “Are you crazy? I don’t look like Cinderella! I look like the magical coach!”

“It’s cute!”

She pointed at me—my sports jacket and trousers. “What’s your costume?”

Shit. “About that...”

“Jude?”

“Just remember that, no matter what, you are a doctor. You’re a beautiful, talented, insanely intelligent woman.”

“Who is dressed like a pumpkin.”

“So don’t get mad.”

“No promises.”

“You might be the only one.”

“Dressed like a pumpkin?”

“Wearing…a costume.”

“You said it was a Halloween party!”

“It is. Just come inside. You’ll see.”

“Come inside? Are you crazy? I’m a seven-month pregnant gourd!”

“It won’t matter. I should have told you not to dress up. Blame me.”

Her voice was cold enough to frost her vines. “Oh, I think I do.”

Fantastic.

I really hoped Rory would forgive me—that she’d realize it was the thought that counted.

Because I was thinking a lot about her. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

She slept beside me. She snuck secret smiles for me at practice. She cheered for me on the field and made me feel like the greatest champion in bed.

Even when I suffered through my headaches, when I couldn’t sleep at night without the aid of prescription drugs she didn’t know I was taking, Rory’s face was the only memory that stuck in my mind.

And tonight was for her.

I took her hand. Rory protested, but her steps scuffed after mine. Jack and Leah opened the door.

Leah’s silver cocktail dress wouldn’t spare me a castration. Even with a toddler on her hip, she looked stunning. Her husband, the Jack-ass, couldn’t stop laughing.

“Oh my God.” Leah giggled. “You are too cute.”

Rory squealed and tried to escape. “I’m leaving.”

“No, no.” Leah hauled her inside. “Rory, I am so sorry. I thought Jude would have reminded you it wasn’t a costume party. Don’t worry though…” She elbowed Jack, sending him to tend to the guests as he doubled-over in laughter. “You’re going to love this. Jude’s been working so hard.”

Rory frowned at me. “Jude Owens, what did you do?”

I led her inside, following Jack and Leah as they signaled to the team awaiting the guest of honor.

“I might have arranged a baby shower,” I said.

The party cheered as Rory entered the living room.

Then laughed.

Rory froze in a quiet, but dignified, mortification. She simply adjusted her stem and took my hand.

And squeezed.

Then squeezed some more.

Then nearly dropped me to my knees as she attempted to break my fingers.

Rory stared at the steamers and pink balloons, the flowers and a stack of presents in the corner all wrapped in pastel colors and pleasant pinks.

“Oh…” The embarrassment faded. Rory fanned her face and called to Leah. “This is such a surprise. A little…too much of a surprise. Thank you all, but…I have to pee. Like right now.”

Leah was on it. She took Rory’s hand and rubbed her tummy. “You are so lucky you’re pregnant.”

She was really hard up for another kid to envy Rory’s weak bladder.

Jack approached me with a frown. “I’m trying my best. Nothing wants to stick.”

“More information than I needed.”

“Just count your blessings…and your swimmers.”

“One kid at a time, Jack.”

He agreed. “The guys are holed up in the back. Want a beer?”

“Seems like you need it more.”

“You have no idea.”

Jack led me to his pool and patio. Most of the offense had joined us, and I stopped to shake the hands of the linemen clustered around the appetizers.

The weather had turned cool, and Lachlan and Cole toasted us from their seats around the fire pit. Their kids sat at their sides, impatiently waiting for the marshmallows toasting over the fire.

Lachlan bid his little brother to fetch some graham crackers. Sebastian rushed with the box, tripped, and landed on the contents. He handed his brother a bag of dust. To spare the whining, Jack found a disposable cup and spoon and instructed the a disappointed Lachlan to make a parfait.

Cole accidentally caught Rose’s marshmallow on fire. This was traumatizing to the princess, the only other party-goer dressed to the nines in a costume.

“No!” Rose burst into tears. “Hurt! He’s hurt!”

Nothing brought Cole to his knees faster than his little girl. “No, I didn’t hurt it. The marshmallow is okay. Fire just…tickles him. Tell her, guys.” He growled at us. “Tell her!”

“No, Rosie. It’s not hurt.” Lachlan fanned the