LITMIR.BIZ

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like a little cocktail?”

      “I’m good with my water,” Coco said. “What a surprise.”

      Bridget shot a sly look and sank onto the chair. “I’m good with those,” she said. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I heard you were having some beach time and since I was driving by, I thought it might be fun to make a little stop.” She glanced down at Emma, who was regarding the princess with curiosity. “Do we have a little beach baby here?”

      “I think this is her first ocean sighting and she seems to love it. The sound of the waves and the breeze. It affects me that way,” Coco said. “It was nice of you to stop by.”

      “My pleasure. I’m in between appearances today. I’ll turn into ranch frau tomorrow. The things I do to please my husband,” she said, making a tsk-ing sound. “Well, he did give up his career in Dallas to move to my country and my brother immediately saddled him with a hugely challenging job. I would do anything for him, even though he drives me crazy,” Bridget said. “I’m sure it the same with you and your Benjamin.”

      Coco clenched her teeth for a moment then produced a smile. “I wonder if all men make their women crazy.”

      “Oh, they must,” Bridget said. “You’ve probably heard that whole Venus and Mars thing. Well, scientists have conducted a study on the differences between men and women, and they say we’re so different we could be different species. Pippa the brainiac told me that. So now scientists are telling us what we’ve always known. Men are aliens.”

      Coco laughed despite the fact that her heart was still hurting. “And you have two little males, too,” Coco said.

      “I know. And I love all three of my men. The twins are always doing something that makes me laugh and sometimes cry. I suspect the same thing has happened with you and little Emma,” Bridget said, glancing at the baby. “Oh, look, she’s blowing bubbles. I miss those days.”

      “If you miss it that much, you could have a baby,” Coco drawled.

      “Mon dieu, no,” Bridget said. “I’m sure I’ll do it one day, but Ryder, the boys and this ranch keep me quite busy enough.” She shot Coco a sideways smile. “Cheeky of you to suggest it, though. Sounds like something I might say to one of my sisters.”

      A throwaway comment, but the word sisters caught at Coco’s heart.

      “Well, enough about that subject,” Bridget said. “The other reason I wanted to chat with you is because there’s going to be a charity gala at the palace in a few days. And we would like you to join us.”

      Surprise raced through Coco. “Charity gala,” she echoed and shook her head. “That’s so nice of you, but I would need a babysitter. And I can’t imagine I have anything to wear. And—”

      “Excuses, excuses,” Bridget said. “We have several wonderful nannies who would provide excellent care for Emma. And although no one would accuse us of having runway fashions to rival Paris, we do have a few nice boutiques.”

      Coco could easily imagine that the price of a dress in one of those boutiques would require at least a month of her pay. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said, thinking the event sounded like the adult version of prom.

      “Eve, Pippa and I will be very sad if you don’t attend,” Bridget said.

      “And Stefan?” Coco asked, although she suspected she already knew the answer. Stefan would love for her to just disappear.

      “Stefan is secretly grateful to you for telling Eve that she is doing a job by being pregnant. No one has been able to get her to slow down. Slow down and Eve don’t belong in the same sentence. She’s one of those save-the-world types,” Bridget said.

      “Like you?” Coco asked and took a sip of water.

      Bridget twitched her lips. “There you go being cheeky again. We can go shopping for your dress tomorrow,” Bridget said and rose to her feet. She waved for her chauffeur. “Time for me to go. Thanks for letting me join—”

      Panic set in. “Bridget, I’m very honored by your invitation, but I don’t think—”

      “I don’t want you to be honored. I want you to attend,” Bridget said. “Don’t tell me you don’t like shopping. I had that trouble with Eve and Pippa,” she said, shaking her head.

      “That’s it,” Coco fibbed. “I’m just not much of a shopper.”

      “Well, I’ll just have to pick something out for you and send it over. Will Benjamin need a suit?” Bridget asked.

      “No, but—”

      “But nothing. If he brought a suit, he’s ready.”

      “I’m not sure this is his kind of party,” Coco said.

      “It won’t be that bad. There will be beer available and Benjamin can chat with Ryder about sports. He misses that.” She brushed her hands together. “There. All done. I’ll talk to you soon. Ciao, darling.”

      * * *

      A couple hours later, Coco strolled into the villa toting Emma.

      “How was your time at the beach?” Benjamin asked.

      “Great,” Coco said. “I found out we’re going to a charity gala sometime soon.”

      “What?” he said.

      She felt a quick tension in her belly, but pushed it aside. “No problem. You have a suit, so you should be good. Plus, they’ll serve beer, and Bridget’s doctor husband is from Texas and he’ll want to talk sports.”

      “What about Emma?” he asked.

      “They have nannies galore,” she said and foisted Emma into his arms. “I need a shower.”

      Coco headed straight for the bathroom, turned on the shower and hopped inside. She enjoyed the warm spray over her head and body and willed the water to wash away her worries.

      * * *

      Benjamin changed his daughter’s diaper and gave her a bottle. He wondered if he should bathe her. He wondered when the hell Coco was going to come see him. He pulled some baby food from the counter, plunked Emma into her infant seat, and began to spoon some green substance into his daughter’s mouth.

      “Airplane flying through the sky,” he said, feeding Emma.

      “Nice technique,” Coco said, walking into the room. She wore a white robe far larger than she was.

      “I have to get creative,” Benjamin said and sailed another foot into Emma’s mouth. “Wanna take over?” he asked.

      “But you’re doing so well,” she said.

      Benjamin sighed.

      Emma gave a raspberry, sending her green food all over Benjamin’s chest.

      “I think she’s done with dinner,” Coco said.

      Benjamin shot Coco a dark look. “Ya think?”

      Emma gave another raspberry and he would have sworn he heard Coco snicker, but he was too busy protecting himself from some vile puréed vegetable to check. He rubbed Emma with a cloth and she began to fuss.

      “I’ll take her then I’ll go to bed,” Coco said.

      “TV is out here,” he pointed out.

      “I can read a book. G’night,” she said.

      “But—” Benjamin said as Coco lifted Emma from the baby seat.

      “We’re good,” Coco said and took Benjamin’s daughter to the bathroom.

      “You sure I can’t help?” he asked.

      “No. We’re taking a bath,” Coco said.

      Benjamin visualized Coco taking a bath and

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