A Little Harmless Surprise 3.5 Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    “Pussy whipped.”

    Chris turned off his office computer and threw a nasty look at one of his best friends Evan Chambers .

    “What did you just call me?”

    “You heard me.”

    The smile Evan offered him told Chris he was itching for a fight. Well, dammit he wasn’t going to give it to him. He didn’t want to propose to Cynthia with a black eye or busted lip. And with Evan, there was always a chance that could happen.

    “If you think I am, why did you insist on going with me to pick up the ring?”

    Evan shrugged. “You were acting like you needed moral support.”

    Chris did. Picking up the ring he had designed for Cynthia was the next to the final step in his plan for Christmas. They had slipped away after Cynthia left for work. And, he knew how much of a friend Evan was when he agreed to go to Kahala Mall on Christmas Eve.

    But now they were back at Dupree’s, Chris’ restaurant, Chris was worried Cynthia would say no.

    He knew she loved him. That he had not one doubt about. But, marriage, that was a whole other kettle of fish. She’d been engaged before, to one of his best friends. And he knew that she had been adamant that she would only marry when she felt as if she could trust a man. She trusted him…but was it enough?

    “Why do you want to screw it all up with marriage?” Evan asked. He wasn’t being an ass. Evan just opposed any permanent relationships. Of course, with Evan’s childhood, Chris understood.

    “I just do. I want the whole thing.”

    “And if she says no?”

    Chris shrugged and willed his second thoughts away. He wanted Cynthia as his wife, wanted her to be there by his side. And, he wanted children. He would do it without the ring and license if that is what she needed to be her. It had taken her a long time to find the true Cynthia and he would not do anything to damage that. It would drive him insane, but he would do it for her.

    “You’re such a traditionalist,” Evan said as he chuckled.

    It was a put down for anyone who lived the lifestyle. Who would think a man who lived as a switch would want all the trappings of marriage, but he did.

    “What can I say? It probably has something to do with my upbringing.”

    Evan clapped his hand on Chris shoulder. “Tell you what. If she turns you down, just let me know. I’ll be happy to step in, help out.”

    Chris shot him a look that would have scared most men, but Evan smiled.

    “Kiss ass, Chambers.”

    Evan unfolded his length from one of the office chairs and stretched his arms above his head. “I gotta get going.”

    “Plans?”

    Evan shook his head. “I need some down time to recover from that crazy mall trip.”

    Chris cocked his head and studied his friend. Something had been bothering him, but he had yet to confide in Chris.

    “Are you and Micah coming over tomorrow?”

    Evan and Micah were business partners and friends. Neither had family and Cynthia had adopted them in a way.

    Evan rubbed his stomach. “There is no way I am missing any of the cookies your magnolia has baked. We’ll be there around noon.”

    After the door shut behind Evan and Chris started thinking about his plans for the night. The only thing left to do was lock up the restaurant, pick Cynthia up from work, and then ask her to marry him.

    He just hoped she said yes.

    Chris stopped just inside Cynthia’s new bakery kitchen and smiled. Who would have thought the buttoned down, uptight woman he’d met in Georgia would be so happy playing in a kitchen? Her face was flush with exertion, her unruly blonde hair curling around her face. The smudge of flour on her nose added, rather than detracted, from her appearance.

    Satisfaction whipped through him because he knew he was part of the reason for her happiness. It had taken them awhile and he’d almost screwed it up. But thank god for Cynthia’s patient and her love. Now, if he could keep everything he had planned for tonight a secret just