Read Online Only You by Denise Grover Swank - Free Book Online Page A

pregnancy would curb her “I need a grandchild” mantra, but he should have known better. “I think I’ll take it one step at a time.”
    “You’re thirty-four years old, Kevin. You’re not getting any younger. All your things”—she pointed her finger in the air and made a squiggly motion—“are going to die and leave you childless.”
    Kevin choked on a mouthful of coffee, sputtering it down his shirt. “You mean my sperm ?”
    She cringed. “Such coarse talk, Kevin.”
    And things with a hand motion was any better? “Mom, I’m not sure where you’re getting your biology facts, but my sperm are good for decades to come.”
    “Kevin!”
    He shrugged. “You brought it up.”
    “It’s time to consider starting a family.”
    He fought the urge to groan. Definitely time to change the subject. “The Royals had a five-game winning streak. I’m thinking about taking Dad to a game next week.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “So you refuse to have this discussion?”
    “I’m focusing on other things, Mother. My job. My new house. My new niece or nephew. Maybe when I feel settled with everything else, I’ll be ready to consider marriage.” But he didn’t see that happening for a very long time, not that he wasn’t open to it. He just didn’t want to settle for the wrong kind of woman—the women he typically dated.
    She pushed out a breath and gave him a tight smile. “Of course you know best.”
    He steeled his back. “But? What aren’t you saying?”
    Instead she patted his hand. “Always so suspicious. Since I can’t bring dinner to your house, then I insist you meet your father and me for dinner tomorrow night.”
    “Sure.”
    The smile she bestowed on him made him nervous
    “Oh, look at the time.” She grabbed her purse and stood. “I’ll text you the details about dinner tomorrow.” She started to leave, then turned back to him. “Oh, I hope you don’t have plans for Saturday afternoon. I need you to come to Megan’s baby shower.”
    “What?” he asked in dismay. “Is it a couples shower?”
    “No, but you’re playing bartender. I’ll let you know when to show up.” Then she walked out the door with a tiny wave.
    He already regretted agreeing to dinner. But expecting him to come to a baby shower? He’d seen that look on his mother’s face before.
    She was definitely up to something.

Chapter Seven
    H olly was glad when Nicole left early for the day, even though Nicole hadn’t said another word about losing the Johansen wedding. In fact, she’d been in an exceptionally good mood after she’d come back from her appointment with Bethany this morning, and Holly figured she was in the clear. Then she said she was leaving early to meet her son and she’d see Holly in the morning.
    Holly had spent another hour working on a menu proposal for a client’s wedding when her phone rang.
    “Distinctive Events, Holly speaking.”
    “Holly, this is Miranda Johansen.”
    Her breath stuck in her chest and she sounded slightly wheezy when she said, “Miranda. How was your meeting with Tender Moments?”
    “It was wonderful. The two planners catered to Coraline’s every whim.”
    Was she calling to jab the knife of losing the job in deeper? “How wonderful for you.”
    “No, it’s not wonderful at all. In fact, it’s far from wonderful.”
    Holly blinked in confusion. “I’m sorry?”
    “Catering to Coraline’s every whim is exactly why we’re in our current situation—three and a half weeks away from a wedding that has nothing but a venue, the photographer, and a dress.”
    “I’m not sure—”
    “I want you to plan the wedding.”
    Holly leaned back in her chair. “What?”
    “I need someone to stand up to my daughter and tell her no.”
    “With all due respect, Miranda, isn’t that your job?” The words were out before Holly could reel them back in. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”
    “No,” the woman said quietly. “You’re right. But you have to