Sweet Anticipation

By Andrew Grey

Greg Hansen’s pregnant sister is on bed rest, so it falls to Greg to finalize the arrangements for her best friend’s bachelorette party. Little does he know he’s in for a sweet surprise. When he arrives at the bakery recommended to him, he comes face to face with the man he never should’ve let get away—Rhys Denning.

Rhys’s business is booming with the holidays approaching, so he can’t agree to cater the party without help—and that means Greg getting his hands dirty in the kitchen, where the two reconnect over sugar, spice, holiday goodies of all kinds, and even some penis-shaped baguettes! But the most satisfying treat might be the second chance they never thought they’d get.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar "Homemade for the Holidays."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644057667

Andrew Grey

Andrew Grey is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Email: [e-mail] Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

Book preview

Table of Contents

Blurb

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Epilogue

About the Author

By Andrew Grey

Visit Dreamspinner Press

Copyright

Sweet Anticipation

By Andrew Grey

Greg Hansen’s pregnant sister is on bed rest, so it falls to Greg to finalize the arrangements for her best friend’s bachelorette party. Little does he know he’s in for a sweet surprise. When he arrives at the bakery recommended to him, he comes face to face with the man he never should’ve let get away—Rhys Denning.

Rhys’s business is booming with the holidays approaching, so he can’t agree to cater the party without help—and that means Greg getting his hands dirty in the kitchen, where the two reconnect over sugar, spice, holiday goodies of all kinds, and even some penis-shaped baguettes! But the most satisfying treat might be the second chance they never thought they’d get.

To Kin and Shira, for our day in Paris that inspired this.

Chapter 1

GREGORY HANSEN let himself into his sister’s house, closed the door behind him, and headed right up the wide, imposing stairs. The brand-new house more closely resembled a hotel lobby than a home, but he kept that to himself because Annalise would take his head off if he said anything. Under normal circumstances, she could be trying when she wanted to be. But lately, as she wound toward the end of her third pregnancy… well, Gregory wanted to get out of the house with his balls intact, thank you very much.

Is that you, Greggy? she called from her room. No one else ever called him that, and he corrected the rest of the planet when they heard her use that nickname. He let her get away with it out of simple love and gratitude. After their parents had died in a plane crash when he was fifteen, she had raised him and seen to it that he had the best life she could give him. Annalise sent him to college, using the last of their parents’ life insurance to pay the tuition, all four years of it. There was no grumbling that he was getting her share. She did it because, while she might be gruff, she had the biggest heart of anyone Gregory knew. It was just that few people outside the family ever got to see it.

I’m here, Gregory said when he reached the top of the stairs, not wanting to yell. I came over as soon as I got out of work. He reached the bedroom door and gasped. Annalise looked like hell. Her cheeks were drawn, her hair flopping down the sides of her head. No matter what, Annalise always looked her best, so this was a shock, even to him, who had seen his sister in rough times and some of her happiest. What happened?

I’m tired, and the doctor says that this baby is… problematic. There are a few complications. So I’m apparently on near complete bed rest. She wiped a tissue over her forehead, which glistened with sweat. Would you get me a glass of water?

Sure. He hurried away and returned with water and ice from the kitchen. He placed the large, covered travel mug next to the bed, then helped her sit up and grabbed one of her hairbrushes to run it slowly through her hair.

Annalise took a deep breath and began to cry. Oh God, don’t mind me. I’m just a mess. She cried harder, and just as quickly as it started, it ended.

Gregory continued brushing her hair, then got one of her hair clips and put it in place so her hair would stay. What does Jonathan say?

He’s going to take some time off when the baby comes, but until then, he needs to keep working because they’ll only give him so long. She wiped her eyes and sighed.

I can stay and help. Lord knows she had done enough for him.

No. Jonathan’s mother is going to come in a week or so, and she’ll stay with me until the baby comes. She wants to spend time with James and Kevin, and she said she’ll help make sure everything is ready for Christmas. Annalise reached for the nightstand and picked up a manila folder. This is where I need your help. She handed it to him.

What’s this?

You remember…, Cynthia’s getting married in two weeks. A big Christmas-themed extravaganza. She and her parents are going all out, and I’m supposed to be the matron of honor. More like giving birth to a turkey of honor at this rate. She rubbed her hand over her belly, and Gregory did the same, smiling when he felt the baby kick.

"This one