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HALLIE

I let out a yawn as I leave the hospital.

As the doors open, I hear the engine revving.

I know that beautiful sound anywhere.

I glance up and smile as Conan waves from inside his McLaren.

Before I even hit the sidewalk, he’s getting out of the car and striding toward me. I let out an excited yelp as he scoops me up and kisses me.

“Good shift?” he whispers, lips brushing my cheek.

“Yeah. So tired, though. This whole working-while-pregnant thing is tough. And I’ve not even hit the worst bit yet.”

“Have you been feeling sick today?”

I kiss him again.

He’s so damn cute when he’s worried.

“Only a little bit after lunch. I’m fine.”

His eyes search mine, and he sets me gently back on my feet.

“What can I do to help?”

“Nothing more than you already are.” I sigh, leaning into him. “Can we watch a movie tonight? Get some popcorn?”

He shakes his head slowly, that mischief glinting behind his eyes.

“I have something else planned.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

He grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together, and leads me to the car, opening the passenger door with a flourish.

We hit the road, and Conan taps his fingers against the wheel, humming under his breath.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“To my lair.”

I roll my eyes.

“I’ve already seen that.”

He chuckles, and his hand settles warm and heavy on my thigh.

“Five minutes and you’ll see. We have a pit stop first. Actually, it’s two surprises.”

I pout, trying to get something out of him.

He just grips my chin lightly.

“That pretty little face won’t work on me, trouble. Behave.”

I slump back in my seat and hide my grin.

We leave town and head into the outskirts. The fancy part of the city, as my dad used to call it.

But we pass all the huge houses and keep going.

Finally, Conan turns onto a gravel track and stops in front of a massive set of iron gates.

He enters a code, and I hold my breath as they swing open.

It’s like something out of a fairy tale. A sprawling country estate, flower beds blooming in every color, hedges cut into perfect shapes.

But there’s still no house.

He takes a sharp turn, and then?—

“Jesus,” I whisper. “This is a monster of a house. Who the hell lives here?”

It’s gorgeous. Purple flowers arch over the door. White shutters frame every window.

Fit for a princess.

“We do.”

My head snaps around so fast I nearly give myself whiplash.

He’s holding up a set of keys, smiling like he’s been dying to say it.

“No,” I breathe, my hands flying to cover my mouth.

My eyes dart between Conan and the house and back again.

“Yes, trouble.” He leans across the console and grips my chin, pulling me closer.

“The house isn’t even the best bit.” He brushes his lips over mine.

“Are we moving your whole family in here?” I tease, trying to keep it light because my heart feels like it might actually burst.

“No,” he murmurs. “Just lots of babies and puppies, darlin’.”

A warm, fizzy ache blooms in my chest.

“And we’ll keep your dad’s house. Because it means a lot to you. Okay?”

I burst into tears.

“Conan. This is…so much.”

He wipes my tears with his thumbs, pressing kisses over my cheeks.

“Nothing is too much for my girl.” He leans back, studying me. “Now, let’s get that smile back on your face.”

He starts the engine again and drives us around the back.

The yard is massive, with a long single-track road disappearing around the trees.

Another set of coded gates appears.

When they open, my jaw just drops.

A whole racetrack.

“I have so many questions,” I blurt. “Like—so many. There is no way. What?”

Who has a private track in their backyard?

He parks next to my grey McLaren—the one I once returned to him in a fit of stubborn pride.

“Want to know a funny story?” he asks, turning to me.

“Always.”

“Remember the first time? The real first time—at the garage?”

“Oh, how could I forget?” I say, cheeks going hot.

“So. A couple of days after that, I heard the owner of this estate was looking to sell. Something drew me here. When he showed me the extra land…the first thing I thought of was racing you here.”

I swallow a lump in my throat.

Even then.

Even when I thought he was just a fling—he was planning a future.

“It was more of a dream. A fantasy. But I bought it and hired an army to make it happen.”

“Even when we split up?”

“Yep.” He gives me a slow, sheepish smile. “I had all the faith.”

“And if all else failed…it was going to be another groveling attempt. I told you I wouldn’t give up.”

I look around us, speechless.

It’s almost too perfect.

Our own little world, hidden behind the gates.

“Please tell me somewhere you’ve added a cage,” I tease, “and a gym?”

He slides his thumb over my bottom lip, grinning.

“That’ll be a future project. I’ve still got my garage gym. Next step is decorating—and the baby’s room.”

I rest my hands over my belly, feeling my heart swell.

I’m almost twelve weeks now.

“Do you want to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?” I whisper. “Or keep it a surprise?”

He leans closer, forehead resting against mine.

“What would you like to do, trouble?”

I breathe out.

“I think…a surprise.”

Even though I’m dying to know, this is the one thing that truly doesn’t matter.

“Surprise it is.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “And speaking of…we’ve got one more.”

My mouth falls open.

“What else could you have possibly done?”