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Lucy opened her mouth to respond, but found she had no idea what she wanted to say.

“Have you ever lived with a girlfriend?” she asked finally.

“No,” Dylan replied. “Nothing ever got that serious.”

Lucy gave a little snort. Of course it hadn’t.

He ignored her. “I’ve never wanted to waste my time on something that wasn’t right. It should feel like it was meant to be. Someone I’m hugely attracted to, but also challenges me, and . . . feels like home.”

Lucy looked up at him. His gaze bore into her and he took a step closer.

“Careful, the water’s about to boil over!” Lucy said and the moment was broken.

“Thanks,” said Dylan, grabbing the pan off the stove.

They ate the spaghetti with garlic and chilli, while Dylan checked the arancini every couple of minutes, turning them to ensure they browned evenly. They were all done by the time they’d eaten and Lucy was getting ready to leave. He handed her one that had been cooling on a plate with kitchen roll on to absorb the excess oil.

“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten as well in my whole life as I have since you moved in,” Lucy announced, still feeling flustered from what Dylan had said and the way he’d looked at her. Her brain didn’t know what to think. Was she reading too much into what he said because of her own attraction to him?

“I bet that’s not true. It just feels like it because it’s good that you’re able to eat more normally again.”

“Thanks to your cooking.”

“Thanks to your pregnancy nausea naturally abating.”

Lucy shrugged. “The baby wants what it wants.”

“It sounds like our baby is going to be just as awkward as you.”

“Let’s hope so,” said Lucy, relaxing and giving him a grin, which made him laugh. “Do you want a boy or a girl?” she asked.

“Don’t mind,” Dylan replied with a shrug. “Makes no difference to me. Though a little mini you would be cute. What about you?”

Lucy blushed. “As long as they’re healthy, I’m happy with either.”

She took a bite of the arancini. “Oh, wow. That’s delicious. Do I really have to take them with me? We could just eat them all here while watching Downton Abbey,” she tempted.

Dylan laughed. “You’ll be glad you went.”

“If you say so, but it’s freezing outside.”

“You’re going next door. You’ll survive,” Dylan pointed out.

“You’ll be sorry if I don’t,” she said dramatically.

“I would be,” he said, solemnly.

Lucy left, balancing her plate of snacks. She met several other members of the group who were coming up the road as she came out of the coffee shop and they went into the bookshop together.

The Happily Ever After Bookshop looked even more magical than usual with its Christmas decorations. Michael’s grumpy cat had taken up residence on the comfiest chair, and everyone knew better than to move her. Her far better-natured kitten, Katniss, was much friendlier to everyone and greeted each book club member as they arrived.

The bookshop was perfectly cosy and warm. Lucy gave Carrie a hug hello and placed her plate on the shop’s counter before going over to a free chair in between Mary and Nat. She took off her coat to place it on the back of her chair.

“Oh, wow!” said Mary, her eyes going straight to Lucy’s stomach. “You’ve popped.”

“Yeah,” Lucy said, self-consciously placing a hand on her little bump. Her work apron and jumpers did a good job of hiding it, but it did seem more obvious in the top she’d chosen to wear this evening. It seemed like all eyes flew to her, and she was quickly surrounded by congratulations. This was one way of ensuring that anyone who didn’t know she was pregnant was no longer in the dark, she supposed.

“You look gorgeous,” Nat said.