wife’s waist, who giggled.
“I’ll host New Year’s Eve,” Hallie’s husband, Cristiano, yelled from the next room.
“Anyway.” Rolling her eyes, Tess turned to Lola. “We had to have the meal catered, but I knew you and Hallie wouldn’t care if we sat on folding chairs. Love is what matters, right?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Stefano said, nuzzling his wife. Then he seemed to remember they were surrounded by people, and straightened. His eyes focused on Rodrigo, who’d just closed the closet door. “Cabrera? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Rodrigo Cabrera!” Tess exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I knew I recognized you!”
“Hey, Zacco.” Looking at Tess, he said politely, “Thank you for the invitation to Thanksgiving.”
Tess looked utterly bewildered.
“Who’s he?” Hallie demanded, her face puzzled as she stared at Rodrigo. “Why is he pushing Jett’s stroller?”
Behind her, Cristiano wandered in carrying an empty tray. “Table’s all set,” he said with pride, then stopped when he saw Rodrigo. “Who are you?”
Lola took a deep breath.
This was it. The moment of her big announcement. She thought she’d feel smug and cheeky. Instead, she just felt awkward.
“This is Rodrigo Cabrera,” she began. “I used to work for him in California. He’s...um...” She looked at him, then mumbled, “Well, he’s the father of my baby.”
“What?” Tess said.
“No, seriously?” Hallie said.
“That’s not my only news.” Adjusting her baby against her hip, Lola lifted her left hand, letting the huge diamond engagement ring glitter in the light.
Her friends gasped.
“I can’t believe it,” Hallie said, grabbing her hand to look closer at the ring.
“And we’re not just engaged. We’re...we’re married.”
“Married!”
“I knew it!” Tess cried, practically bouncing with joy. Reaching out, she stroked Jett’s soft, downy hair. “I knew you wouldn’t love someone who was no good!”
At the word love, Lola’s cheeks went hot, and she glanced back self-consciously at Rodrigo. But he’d been drawn across the room to accept the raucous, teasing congratulations of the two other men.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Hallie said softly, her soft brown eyes accusing. “We imagined your baby’s father must be a total disaster, since you refused to tell us his name.” She eyed Rodrigo. “He doesn’t seem so bad.”
Lola looked at her husband. “He’s not.” Her voice trembled a little. “He’s not bad at all.”
The two women stared at her.
“Oh, man,” Tess said. “You’ve got it bad.”
Oh, no! The last thing Lola wanted was for that rumor to go around, especially when Rodrigo was only ten feet away! Lola turned on the redhead with a growl.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We only got married for the baby’s sake. To be practical.”
“So you’re not having sex?” Hallie said.
Lola’s cheeks went hot. “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a benefit of being married.” Her voice turned husky as her eyes unwillingly returned to her handsome husband. “He’s my baby’s father, and I respect him, and like him so much...”
Hallie followed her gaze, then the usually sensible brunette said, almost in awe, “Tess is right. You love him like crazy.” She slowly looked over Lola’s black cashmere sweater and leggings and knee-high boots. “It’s written all over you.”
“Hush!” Lola angrily grabbed Hallie’s arm. “He’ll hear you.”
The brunette looked bewildered. “And that would be a bad thing?”
“Yes,” said Tess, looking at Lola’s face. Taking Jett from her arms, the redhead waved for them to follow. “Come in here.” Turning toward the men, she said loudly, “We’ll be in the kitchen.”
Prince Stefano called, “Need help?”
“No, we, um, Lola wants a good recipe for pie and she was wondering whether to use butter or shortening for crust.”
“Oh,” said Stefano, his eyes glazing over.
“Let’s go watch the game,” Cristiano said heartily. “My father’s already in there, keeping an eye on Esme and Jack. You coming, Cabrera?”
“What game?” Rodrigo said.
The other two men laughed. “It’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it? The Cowboys. Come on.”
“Men and sports,” Hallie sighed with a fond smile, shaking her head as the men disappeared.
“This way.” Still holding Lola’s baby, Tess led them down the hall to a gorgeous kitchen which looked completely untouched.
“We’re still waiting for our pots and pans,” she said apologetically. “Stefano offered to buy everything new and have it delivered yesterday, but I just want our old things from Sicily. I didn’t think you’d mind eating off the caterer’s plates.” She bit her lip, suddenly looking worried. “You don’t mind, do you? Is it tacky?”
“Not at all,” Hallie said soothingly.
Looking around, Lola said in sudden worry, “But we’re having a real dinner, right?” She added apologetically, “It’s just that it’s Rodrigo’s first real Thanksgiving—”
“Don’t worry.” Tess’s round face broke into a big smile. “Dinner’s being catered from one of the best restaurants in the city. Well, except for the rolls and pies. Those are being brought by my cousins. Did you hear? They’re running the family bakery now.”
“Your cousins!” Lola was astounded. “But they’re so young!”
“Just a few years younger than we are. Old enough to know what they want in life.” Tess’s smile lifted to a grin. “But obviously still learning the business. They called to say they’re running a little late.”
“But I’m sure Tess didn’t really drag us into the kitchen to talk about pie.” Hallie leaned back against the spotless marble counter, her dark eyes piercing. “What’s going on with you and your new husband, Lola?”
“And how could you have a wedding without us?” Tess looked suddenly hurt. “We should have been bridesmaids. Just like you were for us.”
Lola’s first instinct was to refuse to explain, to make an excuse, to grab her babbling baby out of Tess’s arms
