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.