Patriot and his Secret Baby (The Rossi Family Mafia Book 1) by Avery Hawkes Page B

and in the middle of the green lawn was a lovely fountain. The water reflected the lights that shone up. Light danced and played against the white stone.
    Lance looked out my window and squeezed my hand. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
    “Yeah,” I sighed. “It is.”
    Something jolted Lance upright, making me jump in my seat. He leaned forward in the car and grasped the back of the driver’s chair.  
    “Stop the car!” he exclaimed. I was thinking there was some sort of emergency. I looked around for any sign of danger, but there was none. The driver grunted in reply, perturbed by the sudden outburst, but he turned the steering wheel to the right. We came to a stop at the curb.  
    Lance flew out of the car and ran around to open my door. I gave him a weird look.
    “What’s happening?”
    “You’ll see!” He told me, taking my hand and leading me around toward the park.  
    Since it was late at night and we had driven to a better part of the city, there weren’t many people around. There was one other couple on the other side of the park who were walking in the opposite direction.  
    The place was ours.  
    “Come on,” Lance told me, pulling me up toward the fountain. I resisted a bit, but he eventually was able to pull me up with him toward the edge of the water. Crossing my arms, I waited for his explanation.  
    “Just hear me out.” Lance said. “In your auntie’s will, it stated that you couldn’t HAVE a child out of wedlock.”
    “Yes, but in order to receive the money, I have to take a pregnancy test if I’m not married.”
    “So, what if you were married?”
    My breath caught in my chest. “What?”
    Before I could think, Lance was on his knee before the fountain. I covered my mouth with my hands in shock. We had known each other for six years, yes, but it was all too fast for me. The world around me spun and I wasn’t sure I could see straight.  
    “Rosabella,” he showed me that same stupid grin that I had seen when we first met. “I don’t have a ring. But …” he reached down toward the end of his shirt, tearing at the edge of it to rip the fabric into a long, slender piece. “I hope this will do.”
    He looked up at me expectantly, then motioned for me to give him my hand. I opened my mouth to protest, but closed it and gave in. He took my slender hand, tying a knot on my ring finger with the fabric. It was large and looked ridiculous, I couldn’t help but laugh at it. Then I met his eyes.
    “Will you marry me?”
    My mouth was like a muppet with no voice actor. I opened and closed it, but no sound came out. I could feel the redness in my face as the time went on and on. Lance didn’t look worried in the least, kneeling with an amused look on his face as he waited for my reply.
    Finally, words returned.
    “This is crazy! You’re crazy! It’s not like we know each other that well, really.” I turned, trying to list off every excuse I could why we shouldn’t.  
    “I haven’t heard a ‘no’ yet,” Lance replied.
    A sigh escaped me and I tried to collect my thoughts. “Alright. Here’s the thing. You were a total asshole to me in high school. I’m fine with us being co-parents, but I’m not so sure we should be married ….”
    “Buuuuut ― " Lance said, reading my facial expressions perfectly.  
    “But … it would mean a lot to me to get out of Jersey and get my own place. That money will help all of us, including the baby. I’ll agree to it now, so we can get the money from the will. We can get an annulment once he ― or she ― is born. Got it?”  
    “So is that a yes?” His face had brightened. I looked down at my goofy improvised ring and the face that looked so eager below me.  
    “Yes, but not forever. You’re a cool guy Lance. You’re good … GREAT in bed, but I don’t know if I want you to be my husband.”
    “Such a romantic,” he said, getting up from his knee. With one quick movement he grabbed me, scooping me up in his arms. Oh