Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 605

Chapter 605

Gwen’s POV

Bella grabbed my hand as we walked downstairs together, still chatting about the panna cotta she’d saved so carefully.

“And there’s strawberry sauce,” she explained excitedly. “Grandma Martina said it’s the best part.”

“It definitely is,” I agreed, smiling at her genuine excitement.

We reached the kitchen, where the smell of fresh coffee and homemade bread filled the air. Nick was already there, leaning against the counter while talking to Martina as she stirred something on the stove. Paula was setting plates and silverware on the big wooden table.

When we walked in, all eyes turned to us.

I helped Bella climb onto one of the tall stools at the counter, making sure she was steady before turning

around.

“Good morning,” I said, trying to sound casual even though I could feel the three of them watching me in very different ways.

“Good morning,” Martina replied with a warm smile. “Sleep well?”

Before I could answer, and definitely before I could come up with some excuse about where I’d spent the night, Nick stepped closer.

“Gwen,” he said, holding out his hand.

I placed mine in his, feeling his fingers lace through mine in a way that felt natural. Comforting.

He gently pulled me closer, not letting go even when we stood side by side facing his family.

“So,” he began, something nervous in his voice. “Gwen and I have something to tell you.”

The kitchen fell completely silent. Even Martina stopped stirring the pot.

Nick glanced at me quickly, like he was looking for courage or permission. I gave a small nod.

“We’re dating,” he said finally, squeezing my hand as he spoke. “Officially.”

Paula let out a loud huff, rolling her eyes dramatically.

But the smile fighting to appear at the corners of her mouth couldn’t be hidden completely. As tough as she tried to seem, I knew she was happy for us.

“Finally!” Martina exclaimed, coming toward us with her arms open. “I thought you’d never admit the obvious!”

She pulled me into a tight hug that smelled like spices.

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“Welcome to the family, my dear,” she whispered in my ear before stepping back to hug her son too.

Bella was the one who had the most explosive reaction.

“YAAAAY!” Bella screamed so loudly she probably woke up any guest still asleep. “My wish came true! My birthday wish came true!”

She jumped off the stool with all the reckless agility of a seven-year-old and ran straight at us, launching

herself into her father’s arms.

“Easy, easy, sweetheart,” Nick laughed, scooping her up. “Breathe.”

But Bella was far too excited to breathe calmly.

“I knew it! I knew it would work!” she said, practically vibrating with happiness. “I blew out my candles and wished for Gwen to be my new mommy, and it worked!”

Something tightened in my chest at her words. A mix of emotion and responsibility and the sudden fear of not being enough.

“Bella,” Nick said gently, adjusting her in his arms so he could look her in the eyes, “you know dating doesn’t mean we’re getting married tomorrow, right? These things take time.”

Bella frowned, clearly unimpressed with that information.

“But you’ll get married someday, right?” she asked with all the seriousness a seven-year-old can muster.” Like, when you grow up more?”

My face burned instantly. I stared at the floor. The table. Anywhere but Nick.

He squeezed my hand and gently pulled me closer.

“We’re going to take it one step at a time,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “Okay?”

When I finally looked at him, I saw it in his eyes: He wasn’t dismissing the idea. He was just being realistic. Careful with his daughter’s expectations.

And somehow, that was more reassuring than any grand promise.

“Okay,” Bella agreed, apparently satisfied. “But only if I get to be the flower girl when it happens.”

“Deal,” Nick said, kissing her forehead before setting her back down,

She ran back to her stool, already planning how she was going to tell all her friends at school.

“We need to celebrate,” Martina declared, returning to the stove with renewed energy. “A special dinner. Just family, Nothing for the guests, nothing public. Just us.”

“Then it’ll probably have to be during the week,” Nick said practically. “Weekends are always full now, especially with how successful the new dinner format has been.”

“That’s fine,” I said quickly, already mentally rearranging my schedule at Kensington. “I can come on a

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Chapter 605

Bonus

Monday. Or maybe Thursday would be better, and I could stay through the weekend and-”

“No, no,” Martina interrupted, shaking her head. “We’ll make it work on a weekend. We always do. The staff can handle the guests’ dinner while we have our own celebration.”

Paula muttered something about them needing supervision, but she didn’t argue.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t want to create extra work or complicate things when you already have so much to handle.”

Martina looked at me with that deeply maternal expression she’d perfected over decades.

“I am absolutely sure, my dear,” she said firmly. “This is an important moment. It deserves to be celebrated properly. With time. With the whole family present.”

She paused, stirring whatever she was cooking.

“After all,” she added casually, “we wouldn’t want to start this relationship by disrupting your family’s schedule, would we? I’m sure they have to work during the week.”

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