For You I Do by Angie Daniels

gave her a long, serious look.
    Ms. Dramatic started fanning herself. “Ooh-wee! Girl, you’d better take him up on his offer. I’ve never see London this determined before.”
    With a roll of the eyes, Bianca pulled her hand away. “His offer is ridiculous and he knows it.”
    “It’s no more ridiculous than your trying to raise a baby all by yourself.”
    “Women do it all the time,” Bianca challenged.
    “Yes, but they don’t live in Sheraton Beach, nor is their last name Beaumont.”

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    For You I Do
    He did have a point, Bianca thought.
    “Wait until your mother finds out,” he added.
    “I know that’s right,” Debra mumbled under her breath.
    Bianca groaned inwardly. Why did he have to remind her?
    “You know, we were having a really good time until you showed up. Don’t you have something else to do, like meddle in someone else’s life?”
    “I guess I deserved that one.” He chuckled and didn’t seem the slightest bit intimidated by her comment. “Debra asked me to join you.” Bianca looked over at her best friend, who gave her an innocent look.
    “I want the two of you to talk,” Debra said.
    “There isn’t anything to talk about,” Bianca replied then reached for her fork. “Besides this is not the type of conversation I want to have in public,” she said stubbornly, then took a forkful of her macaroni. The smell of fish at the next table threatened to make her sick. She lowered her fork, reached for a napkin and spit the food out. Quickly, Debra reached over and gave her a plastic cup. With one hand over her stomach, Bianca stared across the table. “What am I going to do with that?” she asked with a ridiculous laugh.
    Debra gave her a sheepish grin. “I thought you were about to throw up.”
    “And you thought I’d use this itty bitty cup?” she asked, then chuckled despite the queasiness of her stomach. “Yeah, right.”
    London moved around the table and slid onto the seat beside her. “Are you still having problems keeping food down?”
    She nodded and tried to ignore the smell of his cologne. The light musky scent didn’t bother her at all. She blamed the way her pulse was racing on the virile man alone. The last thing she needed was to get sick in the restaurant. “Yes, but the doctor said it should pass soon.”
    “Let me get you some crackers,” he offered and before she could stop him, London rose and walked over to the counter.
    As soon as he was out of earshot, Debra leaned across the table and slapped Bianca on the arm. “Girl, you’d better marry that man. Look at how attentive he is!”
    Bianca answered with a rude snort. “Puhleeze, he just feels Angie Daniels
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    guilty for screwing up my life. If he hadn’t meddled, I wouldn’t be thinking about being a single parent.”
    “No, instead you would have been marrying a two-timer.”
    “Yeah, I know.” She knew she couldn’t blame London, because it wasn’t his fault. Not really. But as long as she continued to blame him for ruining her life, it made it easier to stay mad at him. “I need somebody to blame.”
    “Then blame Collin. I don’t see him here trying to track down saltine crackers for you.”
    Bianca stared at Debra over the top of her eyes and despite her dilemma she couldn’t help giggling. Her life was a mess. It was either laugh or cry because the whole thing was too ridiculous for words.
    London returned with a small plate of saltine crackers. “Here, try these. I even got you some club soda to settle your stomach.”
    She glanced up at him towering over her and saw genuine concern. “Thanks, London.”
    His lips threatened to smile. “You’re welcome.” He returned to his seat next to Debra.
    Bianca reached for a cracker, then paused and stared across the table at London for a long intense moment. He leaned back in his chair and continued to watch her.
    “Look, I need to know something. Why would you want to help me?”
    “Because I like you, why else?”
    “Do you