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kiss…All of those images were wrong—by-products of haywire pregnancy hormones. Chad and I were the perfect couple. We’d breeze through our residencies, join thriving practices, and become the sort of power couple who co-chaired hospital fund-raisers and art galas. But what then? Would any of it have meaning? Given enough time, would my fascination with my stepbrother fade?
    Chad stood, nuzzling my neck. “I’ve got the perfect name for our bambino.”
    “Yeah? Let’s hear it.” We’d played through this scenario before.
    “Obviously, Chadwick, for a boy, and…” Careful not to muss my makeup, he nibbled my earlobe.
    “Let me guess—Chadellina if it’s a girl?”
    He feigned shock. “How did you guess?”
    Not caring about my lipstick, I kissed him. Not because I was particularly fond of his name choices for our child, but because he was sweet and funny and we truly would have a wonderful life. All I had to do was give myself permission to breathe. To put the baby first, my health first, Chad first, and for once in a very long time—if
ever—
I had to put my dream of becoming an amazing doctor on hold.
    As for my secret thoughts of Garrett? Those were totally off the table. I would soon be a married woman and I intended to honor my vows—not only physically, but emotionally. Chad and my child deserved all of me—the best of me. Not just the part left over after I’d devoured one of Garrett’s emails or he’d surprised me with a text or call.
    “I love you,” I said. “Are we going to be okay?”
    “Are you kidding me?” We shared another kiss. He fixed my smeared lipstick, and said, “I love you, too. Once this whole wedding thing is behind us and we get back into our groove, we’re going to be awesome.” He took both of my hands to resume our journey down the stairs. He walked backward, ensuring my safety. “See? All safe and sound.”
    “Thank you.” I squeezed his hands. “Finals week was more fun than this.”
    “It’s just a party. You’ve been to hundreds. What makes this different?”
    Garrett stepped out of the study.
    My heart caught in my throat.
    He wore a tux, but no bow tie, with his shirt open at the throat. He hadn’t shaved, hadn’t brushed his hair, and he held a cocktail tumbler with what I guessed was scotch. He was criminally handsome, yet I should be the one in jail for my wicked thoughts about what I’d like to do with him minus his tux. I closed my eyes, picturing myself pressed against him, planting openmouthed kisses up his neck, breathing him in, drowning in his achingly familiar lime and vanilla smell.
    “Hey…” Chad held out his hand to shake my brother’s. “Long time, no see, man. We missed you this afternoon on the links.”
    “Likewise. Sorry. Had unavoidable business.”
    “Sure. I understand.” Knowing Garrett like I did, I knew he hated golf and had probably not spent his afternoon on the phone or computer, but instead sleeping off his hangover.
    “There you are.” Mom drifted into the foyer on a cloud of her trademark Chanel No. 5. She’d worn it my whole life, and it served as a scented security blanket. “Dickey got a limo so we could all ride together.”
    “Great,” I said. There was safety in numbers.
    Daddy entered and then Chad’s parents and brother.
    Though I was surrounded by loved ones, never had I felt more confused and alone. I wasn’t ready for marriage any more than I was ready to be a mom.
    The back of my neck tingled. I looked behind me to catch Garrett’s stare. Our locked gazes produced a visceral pull I wasn’t equipped to handle.
    He’d been my stepbrother for so long, that I didn’t know him in any other capacity—only, that was a lie. Lately, it seemed as if my body had known all along that we were pussyfooting around the issue of our attraction. I couldn’t get him out of my head. I couldn’t forget the feel of his big hands cupping my ass, pounding me—heat rose in my cheeks.
    I grabbed hold of the