The Bachelor's Perfect Proposal (Bliss Series Book 2) by Michelle Jo Quinn Page B

you’ve grown since last I saw you, Sandrine,” Veronica quipped. “May I?” Her hand hovered over Sandrine’s middle. Veronica glanced up, and our eyes met.
    There was a glint in her eyes. A hope that maybe someday we could feel the same happiness that our friends shared.
    “I’m humongous!” Sandrine complained.
    “Sandrine,” Veronica started, “You look beautiful. I’d have a bigger belly than that if I ate too many donuts.” Right then, I imagined Veronica pregnant with my child.
    “Can you give us a hand?” Jake broke through my thoughts. “I have guinea fowl in the oven.”
    “Guinea fowl? Whatever possessed you to make that?” He could barely cook eggs.
    Jake wiped his hand on his face in frustration. “My very pregnant wife asked for it.”
    Natalie came in, quietly laughing at whatever her new boyfriend must have said. It was good to see her happy. I gave her a quick wave and turned to inspect dinner. I glared at Jake. The man should never be allowed inside a kitchen. He’d give Lily Stewart a run for her money when it came to world’s worst cook. I would need to have a talk with my cousin. Pregnant or not, she wouldn’t be getting what she was craving. The guinea fowl did not survive.

    * * *
    K itchen duty became mine . I didn’t mind much. Dinner was saved, many thanks to preparedness of Jake and Sandrine’s housekeeper, Mara. She had stocked up on other ingredients. Maybe she’d tasted Jake’s cooking too. And if she had, the poor woman deserved a raise.
    Surprisingly, Diego was rather knowledgeable in the kitchen as well. While the rest of our group gathered around the cheese plate, he made a side salad for the chicken dish I had prepared. We worked quietly and efficiently, occupying either side of the room, and staving off Jake’s continual offers to lend a hand.
    We all listened to Veronica’s tales of woe during her flight back home from The Maldives, leaving out the details of the actual trip and her client’s identity. Sandrine and Jake couldn’t stop gushing over their plans for after the baby was born. Nati and Chase talked about the new workout classes Diego offered to those who were willing to take them. “Less tortuous” as Chase explained to Veronica, who only said that she would think about it. I could think of other ways to keep her fit.
    I kept quiet the entire time, loving the easy conversation that flowed at the table. Endless laughter, and comfort, and warmth.
    Diego offered to help with the cleanup.
    “Thanks for the help again.” I’d poured two fingers of scotch in two glasses for me and him— we deserved as much.
    “Think nothing of it. Nati told me that the cooking might not be successful.” Diego said this in a lowered voice.
    As soon as her name was mentioned, Nati came around and hugged Diego from behind. “Isn’t he great?” she asked me, with her left cheek pressed on his wide back.
    Her engagement ring flickered under the overhead lights in the kitchen. As fast as things had progressed between Nati and Diego, I was excited for the two of them. They’d announced their engagement and pregnancy right after dinner. I raised my glass to them both.
    “And to think, we owe it all to Nica.” Nati smiled at Diego.
    “Veronica? My Veronica?” I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel, and then placed one on my chest.
    “Yeah. She didn’t tell you? It was a funny story, really.” Nati and Diego gazed into each other’s eyes while she continued, “Imagine if their date had gone better—”
    “Who went on a date? You dated Veronica?” I pointed an accusatory finger at Diego.
    “Yes.” His smile widened, rows of white teeth flashed. I clenched my jaw. “You don’t remember meeting me?”
    “Relax, Levi. They went on one date,” Nati reasoned, while Diego surreptitiously urged her behind his muscular frame.
    Where did they go? How long ago was this? Did they kiss? Did they sleep together? Where was I when all of these happened?
    “When was this?