Read The Switch for Free Online Page A

ended on such a sour note."
    "I was unhappy about that, too."
    "Then can I please come in? Just for a little while. I promise not to stay long."
    She wasn't overjoyed to see him, and she resented this unannounced visit. He had a bad habit of dropping in without giving notice, which she secretly considered a violation of privacy. But he was smiling sweetly, beseechingly, and the front door threshold wasn't the ideal spot for a discussion of character flaws. She stepped aside and motioned him in.
    "As you can see, I wasn't expecting a gentleman caller." "You look adorable. I prefer you without makeup." "Then you should have your eyesight checked."
    Laughing softly, he pulled her against him and kissed her lips gently and noninvasively. He was sensitive enough to her mood not to press his luck with a deep kiss. When he pulled away, his eyes moved up to the towel wrapped around her head. "I even like the turban."
    "I'm deep-conditioning my hair."
    Although it wasn't even nine o'clock yet, she already had on sleepwear—cotton boxer shorts and a matching top. It was a comfy outfit, but not what you'd call fetching. Another blow to her ego was that Jem looked like he had stepped out of a band box. Even in khakis and a polo shirt, he was, as usual, well turned out.
    Taking her hand, he led her into the living room and pulled her down onto the sofa beside him. "I had to come tonight, Gillian. I didn't want to wait and give you the gift tomorrow. It had to be today. On the actual day you were inseminated." He slipped his hand into his pocket and produced a velvet jewelry box.
    "Jem! When you said ' surprise,' I thought you meant something like flowers. Chocolates. But this? Shouldn't you wait until after the blood test, until we know I'm actually pregnant?"
    "I want you to know that I'm with you all the way. Whether you conceive this time or have to try again, I want to share this event with you. I want to be involved in the baby's life from the very beginning."
    She glanced at the box and for one heart-stopping moment feared that he was about to propose marriage. But the box was oblong, not square like a ring box. When he opened the spring-hinged lid, he took her soft cry of relief to be an exclamation of delight.
    "You like it?"
    "It's beautiful, Jem."
    The gold chain was very slender but sturdy enough to hold the small, heart-shaped pendant of clustered rubies. "I thought it would complement your coloring."
    "It's lovely. Truly."
    He removed the pendant from the box and placed it around her neck, securing it with the tiny clasp. Then, taking her by the shoulders, he turned her back to face him, looking very pleased with himself. "Perfect. Go look."
    He guided her to the mirror above the console table. The pendant was indeed beautiful, reflecting ruby sparks of light off her skin. Turning back to him, she struck a glamour-girl pose. "Am I gorgeous or what?"
    "You're gorgeous. And sexy. Even if you do have a towel on your head. You're going to be gorgeous and sexy during the pregnancy, too."
    "When I'm ballooned out like a blimp?"
    He splayed his hand over her lower abdomen and, with his other arm around her waist, pulled her close. "Even then." He kissed her neck, murmuring, "Gillian, I want you tonight. Please let me stay."
    When his hand slid between her thighs, she stopped it with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Jem."
    "What's the matter?"
    "Don't ask to stay tonight, because I don't want to refuse you."
    "Then don't," he said, reaching for her again.
    She dug her heels in when he tried to pull her against him, but she cradled his face between her hands. "I just can't be with you tonight. It's hard to explain. I couldn't make you understand over the telephone, and I can't now."
    "I can explain it," he said curtly. "You had lunch with Melina today."
    "What has Melina got to do with it?" she snapped back.
    "You tell me. Every time you see her, I coincidentally turn into poison."
    "That's not true." "Then what's wrong?"
    "I can't