Jennifer Probst - All the Way

Miranda glowered and tapped her nail against the table. “Oh, this means war. She only rated Mia Casa so high because I trashed it. How dare she? You were doing just fine on your own without her stupid compliments.”

He choked back laughter. “Umm, sweetheart, shouldn’t you be happy for us? I mean, yes, we’ve been doing well, but a review by Allison can make a huge difference. Bring in a bigger crowd. “

That lower lip stuck out and imitated Brando’s famous pout. Except on his wife, it was so damn hot he wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless. Already, he grew to monstrous proportions at the idea of getting his hands on her naked body. His life revved up from black and white to Technicolor, and he loved every damn second of it. Even the fights.

“I’m happy for you,” she grumbled. “I just wish you had let me be the one to do the Hotspot Feature.”

He grinned. “Sorry, your reputation as a hard-ass food critic must be upheld. How would it look if you suddenly praised your new husband’s restaurant? Pretty fishy.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t care. She put me in a bad mood. And she stole my thunder.”

Brando appeared at the table with a basket of warm bread. Melted mozzarella and fresh tomatoes dripped from the edges of the crust. Immediately, his wife perked up. “Here, Miranda, this will make you feel better.” Gavin scowled at his brother, who always seemed to come out the good guy. It was so unfair.

“Thanks, Brando. What would I do without you?”

His brother shot him a haughty look. “Family takes care of family.”

Tony peeked his head out of the kitchen. “Hey, Miranda, do you want to try the Chilean Sea bass? I made it in a way that’s a bit controversial and want your opinion.”

“Sure, Tony, bring it out.”

Brando took a peek at the paper and shook his head. “Everyone knows Allison’s column isn’t half as good as yours, Miranda. It probably won’t make a difference.”

Gavin turned a stunned look toward his brother. Tony came out with a plate of fish simmered in herbs. “Brando’s right. It is a silly column and no one reads it.”

The celebration he had planned for a four-star review shriveled in front of him. “Guys, this is a big deal. A four-star review is huge news for us.”

Tony and Brando shrugged.

Pop trudged in. “What is all this fuss about?”

Gavin reached over and handed him the paper. “Allison Speaks gave us a four-star review, Pop. We finally did it!”

His father glanced through the article and snorted with disgust. “No one reads The Gazette any longer, Giovanni. Who cares what that critic says? Miranda Eats is so much better.”

Miranda beamed.

Gavin slid into the chair, completely defeated. “Forget it. I thought we’d have a reason to celebrate and pop the champagne, but what the hell? Who cares about a four-star review from a prestigious paper?” When he glanced at his wife, a tiny smile curved her lips. “Think this is funny, huh?”

“No. I just think I have better news than that review.”

“What?”

“I’m pregnant.”

The men stopped. Gaped. A big grin transformed his wife’s features, and his heart halted.

A baby.

She sniffed with pride. “See. Told you I can always top Allison.”

His father blinked back tears and wrapped his hands around her. “Congratulations, my darling. A baby. As Sinatra would say, The Best is Yet To Come .”

Gavin gave a roar and shot out of the chair. In moments, he grabbed his wife and spun her around. “We’re going to have a baby?”

“Looks like it.” He stopped and tipped up her chin. His worry seemed palatable, and she caressed his cheek in a soothing gesture. “It’s going to be okay this time,” she whispered. “I just feel it. But whatever happens, we’re in this together.”

Gavin buried his face in her hair and held her close. Amazing all of his dreams finally came true. It took him a long time to get on this road, but he must have done something really wonderful in his past life to deserve her. To deserve everything.

As if she knew his thoughts, Miranda smiled. “Because it’s our karma.”

He lowered his head and kissed his wife in agreement.

Ah, so many people have helped me along the way, how do I possibly mention them all?

First off, a big thanks to the Probst Posse team—I have loved getting to know all of you, mingling on our secret group page, and sharing the ups and downs of my writing journey. Readers are the backbone of everything I do, so I simply would not have been successful without you. Cyber hugs!

Second, thanks to Lisa Hamel-Soldano, my dear childhood friend, who has helped me manage many details to keep things running smoothly. It’s fun to share this with you.

To my fab agent, Kevan Lyons, who holds my hand along the way and gives wonderful advice. I’m so glad we hooked up!

To Liz Pelletier, Libby Murphy, and the Entangled team that is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s wonderful to continue working with you and this awesome company.

Finally, to my wonderful family who make this journey ever sweeter. Ray, Jake, Josh, Mom, Dad, Steve, Taylor, Katie, Amanda, Dana, Anna, Enzo, Aunt Roe and Uncle Bill, Aunt Betty and Uncle Eddie, Aunt Mary and Uncle Al, Cousins Ed, Ann Marie, Lisa, Tara, Michael, Christina—your support is always appreciated!

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons, one 5 and one 7, keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She writes both sexy and erotic romance. She is published with Gallery for her New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire series. Other publishers include Entangled, Decadent,and Red Sage. She has also written a children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her twelve year old niece, along with a short story about a shelter dog, “A Life Worth Living.” All of her books are available at her website or Amazon.