"Just being a good host." He shrugs. "Wine? I'll get your favorite from the cellar."
"I'm good." Nails flick. Dismissal. "Sit down, you're making me nervous."
"Am I?"
Mara looks past him, arches a brow at me. "Babe? What happened to him?"
He doesn't give me a chance to answer, turning almost nose-to-nose to Mara, voice pitched so only we hear. "We know."
She blinks, but doesn't give anything away. Goes back to her phone. "No idea what you mean."
"How many months?" he whispers.
Mara's eyes blaze as she nearly rockets off the armchair, and she hisses, "Shut your mouth."
His brows lift, like he still didn't believe it till now. Then they narrow and his voice comes out reproachful. "Seriously? You didn't tell me?"
"We just found out, two days ago. I haven't even seen a doctor yet."
A breath catches in my throat and I hug her. "Mara! Congratulations. You will be the best mother." I try my best to whisper, too excited.
"Thank you, but don't tell anyone," she whispers too. Then looks at us curiously. "How did you know?"
"Emma sniffed it out," Ben says with an arched brow, like he's just realized I'm dangerous.
"And you, my love, lost our bet." I jab my finger at him with a boss-face. "Pay. Up."
He groans, long and miserable, but pulls his phone from his pocket and slaps it into my hand.
First thing I find? That gym selfie I pried out of him. Arms flexed, mirror gaze, bicep practically sculpted for worship.
I smile devilishly. "Sweet."
"Oh hell no." He slides across the chair with a speed that's almost feline, but somehow, I'm faster.
"Deal is a deal." My thumbs fly. "Caption: Just a humble guy hustling, manifesting, hydrating. #boyboss."
He hisses, hands clamping over his face, and the sound is full frustration. "You don't want to do this, Emma. I will make you pay, over and over."
"Oh wait," I tease, "PS: I eat bacon, but spiritually I'm plant-based."
Mara laughs and snatches the phone before I can post it. "No, wait. I have a better idea." She holds up a hand when his expression sharpens, ready to snatch his phone back.
"Don't worry. I'm not looking. Not looking. Don't see anything indecent," she singsongs knowingly, but the tension doesn't leave me and Ben, because some of the photos are... well, borderline...
Finally, she clicks her mouth playfully and spins the screen back to us. "Here you go."
I look at it and my mouth drops a little.
It's our kiss—perfect fall light spilling around us in Central Park, his hand cupping my cheek with that effortless ownership. Our first online photo.
Caption:Look who finally figured it out. Took a decade and divine intervention—Mara. Hashtag: My Roman Empire.
"Alright. That's way better," Ben says and kisses her forehead.
Carmela appears out of nowhere, hand on Ben's shoulder. "I prepared fresh sheets in your room."
"Mamma, I told you, we can't—"
