“As much as hot cocoa at Christmastime.”
Stef had to agree that her favorite beverage during her favorite holiday was fabulous. “That’s the best.”
She munched another chip, but her sudden craving for cocoa ruined the salty bite.
Pen filled a water glass from a pitcher in the fridge and sat down at the breakfast bar beside her. “You’re falling for your husband.”
“I think so. Why are you shaking your head?”
Had Stefanie lost her one and only confidant? Did Pen think Stef was too young, too caught up, too whatever to know what love was?
“I’ve seen this happen before. This isn’t my first time helping clients navigate a marriage of convenience, you know.”
Hope flared in Stefanie’s chest. “You mean...couples who started out like Emmett and me ended up staying together?”
She nodded. “I’m not saying I have the success rate of eHarmony or anything, but I have been invited to a lot of anniversary parties.”
“Your shirt’s buttoned wrong.” Stef grinned.
“Brat.” Pen winked to let Stef know she was kidding before rebuttoning her shirt. “Talk to me.”
Stefanie did talk to her, and it came out in one long stream of consciousness diatribe.
“I’m falling in love with Emmett and I don’t want to tell him because I’m afraid he’ll freak out since we’ve been married for about thirty seconds. But how long is long enough to admit you’re in love with someone? Am I supposed to draw up an agreement or contract about that, too? Is no one allowed to share their feels until we’re sure Chase is reelected?”
“Oh my heavens. All right.” Pen gripped Stefanie’s shoulders. “Listen. You were sitting in this kitchen when Zach was considering buying me an island when he and I were on the rocks.”
“True. He was racking his brain about how to win you back.” Stef remembered it well. Her blockhead brother had no idea he was in love with Pen when it was obvious to anyone watching that he’d fallen for her so hard he was sick over it.
“That’s partially my fault,” Pen said.
“I could never blame you. Not when it’s so much easier to blame my idiot brother.” Stef smiled affectionately.
“I didn’t tell Zach how I felt. He didn’t know I loved him. We could’ve saved some heartbreak if I’d been honest.”
“But it worked out in the end.” At the time Pen had been pregnant with Olivia and was juggling her entire life around a pretend engagement to Zach. Who could blame her for clamming up?
“How does Emmett feel?”
“Well, he loves going to bed with me.”
“God in heaven” came a gruff, pained voice. “Forgot my keys,” Zach called from the foyer. “I’m leaving now.”
The door opened and shut and Stefanie shook her head. “He’s so screwed when Olivia is old enough to date.”
“Luckily, we have many, many years before that possibility.” Pen smiled. “You and Emmett are compatible physically...but is there more?”
“For me there is, but it’s probably best to wait to tell him how I feel. Just a little while. Until I’m sure that it’s real.”
Pen nodded. “In your circumstances, I think that’s very smart. You don’t want to go off half-cocked and then realize you were wrapped up in the moment.”
“Right. Okay.” Stef felt better already. “So...how long should I wait?”
“Not too long. Follow your heart.”
“My gut’s more reliable.”
“Then follow your gut. You’ve got this.”