The Mogul's Maybe Marriage by Mindy Klasky

up this baby.”
    â€œSloane, you don’t understand. You can’t imagine what it’s like—”
    She wasn’t angry with him. She wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t even overwhelmed by sorrow. She just knew that she was determined, that she was absolutely, one hundred percent certain. “No, Ethan. That isn’t a possibility.”
    He ran his hand through his hair, making the golden strands stand on end. “Let’s wait and see. Let’s wait until we have all the facts.”
    She didn’t need anymore facts.
    Before she could drive home the point, though, the doorbell rang. Sloane heard James greet someone in the foyer. There was easy laughter, comfortable familiarity. She glanced at Ethan, saw his face brighten. He shot Sloane a quick glance, and she shrugged. They could finish their conversation another time. Not that there was anything left to say. Not before they had test results in hand.
    â€œZach!” Ethan exclaimed, as a man walked into the kitchen. The newcomer was Ethan’s opposite in every way. His hair was dark where Ethan’s was light; his eyes were ordinary brown instead of Ethan’s complicated hazel. Zach was short, and he could easily stand to lose twenty pounds. His T-shirt was wrinkled, as if he’d pulled it out of a laundry hamper, and his jeans slouched around his hips.
    â€œZachary Crosby, this is Sloane Davenport. Sloane, Zach.” Zach’s hand was soft in hers, but he smiled as he said hello. As Zach reached for a coffee cup, Ethan said wryly, “Make yourself at home.” The newcomer was clearly familiar with the Hartwell kitchen; he wasted no time collecting a plate and a fork, cutting himself a generous slice of the cardamom coffee cake.
    He downed a huge bite, chasing it with a hefty swallow of coffee. He might act like a starved teenager, but Sloane quickly realized that there was more to the man than met the casual eye. His glance darted to the cell phone that still sat on the center island, to the silver credit card beside it. He scarcely missed a beat beforezeroing in on her left hand, on the diamond ring that glinted in the morning light.
    â€œThen the rumors are true. I take it congratulations are in order,” he said, shifting his gaze from Sloane to Ethan.
    Ethan stared at him for a long moment. Some silent communication passed between the men, an entire conversation, made easy by their obvious familiarity. Ethan finally said, “Sloane and I got engaged on Friday night.”
    â€œHave you set a date yet?”
    Sloane thought the question was a little odd, especially since it was directed at Ethan. Dates were something women asked about, girlfriends, excited about a wedding in the offing. She thought about her list. June 1—the earliest date that made any sense at all.
    Before she could decide whether or not to say anything, Ethan replied, “Nothing certain.” His tone was terse.
    Another glance passed between the two men, another flash of communication. Sloane wasn’t certain what Ethan was saying, what the meaning was behind his words. That was silly, though. There wasn’t any secret meaning. They hadn’t decided on a date.
    Zach just nodded, as if he’d expected the answer. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll have my best man’s toast ready, whatever date you choose.” His sudden smile brightened the entire room. “Just think of the stories I can finally make public…?.”
    Ethan rolled his eyes as he said to Sloane, “Don’t believe a word this guy tells you. He’s the worst liar I’ve ever known.”
    Zach only laughed. “Twenty-five years of being your best friend, and this is the way I’m treated?” He passed his mug to Ethan, waiting for a refill. “Besides, youshould be especially nice to me today. I brought you a present.”
    â€œI can’t wait,” Ethan said dryly.
    Zach glanced