Page 167 of The Substitute Fiancée

“That’s a great idea!” Emelyne enthuses, sitting beside me.

“And you know what? The place is big enough for two. Would you like to share it with me?”

“Absolutely!”

We hug each other tightly.

“Do you remember the cow story?” I ask her.

It takes her two seconds to remember before she bursts out laughing.

“What—are you falling apart without your best friend?”

“Exactly!”

And we hug again, surrounded by our friends’ affectionate laughter.

*

I had planned to announce my pregnancy the next day. But when I wake up, I’m alone in the bedroom. Slipping quickly into a robe, I get up to look for Alexander when my foot lands on a smooth, cold pebble. I frown. What is that doing there? Then I notice others—just as round and flat—forming a path I follow, intrigued. What has he come up with now?

The pebbles lead me into the living room, where Alexander is waiting, wearing low-slung pajama bottoms. I admire his sculpted muscles, his abs, the line of hair disappearing beneath the fabric. He’s devastatingly handsome.

“Good morning, sweetheart. My eyes are up here,” he teases.

I bite my lower lip, full of regret, and lift my gaze to his mischievous face. I step closer to kiss him, but he raises a hand, stopping me halfway.

And then he drops to one knee.

“Did you know that male penguins offer a pebble to their chosen mate?” he asks, eyes sparkling.

He pulls a pebble from his pocket. I frown, confused, until he lifts the lid of a pebble-shaped box. Inside, I discover a stunning solitaire diamond. A smile spreads across my lips as understanding washes over me.

“If she accepts it, they become partners for life,” he continues.

I laugh and throw myself into his arms.

We kiss until we’re breathless.

“You know,” I tell him, “if we’re doing this like penguins, we’ll have to figure out a way for you to incubate the egg too.”

He frowns, confused.

“Well yes,” I explain. “With penguins, both parents take turns incubating the egg.”

A long silence follows.

“No!” he exclaims, stunned. “No—this isn’t what I think it is?”

He can barely contain his joy.

“Yes. It’s exactly what you think.”

He pulls me into his arms.

“You’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”

56. Epilogue