Page 68 of More Than Words

“Let’s wait a few weeks until your contracts are ready for specifics, but I don’t see why you can’t tell him about the opportunity. A few months ago, I would’ve expected him to protest this kind of change in the management structure, but I don’t see that being a problem any longer.”

“Let’s hope so.”

“I’ve seen how he watches you. Really, how he’s watched you for years. I don’t think he’ll have a problem with it. He respects you a great deal. I wouldn’t have had you two working together if that wasn’t the case. Think of Stone’s book as a trial run for your professional relationship.”

“I wasn’t exactly in a position of power over him then.”

“Not so sure that’s entirely accurate,” she replied with a knowing grin. “He was quick to defer to you during that process more than I think you noticed. That’s a good quality to look for in a partner. It’s not always easy for men to put their egos aside to let a woman tell them what to do professionally. I know I’ve dealt with a lot of fragile masculinity in my career.”

Adrian didn’t seem the type to try to get in the way of this promotion, but we were equals when things started to change between us.

“The job isn’t officially yours yet, but I’d like to get the contracts drawn up for you to review if you’re open to negotiating the change.”

“Does the offer have a time limit?”

“It’ll be a few weeks until everything goes through legal and the management panel, so think about it until the offer is ready. You’re our first choice for the position, and I’d like you to seriously consider it before turning anything down.”

“I will. Thank you for considering me.”

“There wasn’t anyone else as far as I’m concerned. You’ve put in your time, and you deserve it.”

Nodding, I stood, reaching forward to shake her hand before I saw myself out of her office.

My mind raced during the elevator ride down to the lobby. I was meeting Adrian to have lunch at a restaurant a few blocks away from the office. He’d know as soon as he saw me there was something on my mind. Keeping the details from him was going to be a challenge, but Sloane had already told me it wouldn’t be forever. I also needed to talk to him about other things.

My bloodwork and tests had come back from the fertility clinic and while I hadn’t initially been hopeful, they didn’t find anything that would prevent me from getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term. We hadn’t set anything into motion, but after my IUD was removed, there wasn’t anything holding me back from trying. All I needed was someone to get me pregnant, and I didn’t think I’d have to look too long.

It all seemed almost too good to be true. I was being offered a promotion I’d be stupid to turn down; I wasn’t barren like I’d believed, and I was falling for Adrian harder than I’d ever thought possible. If only I could have it all without sacrificing something.

I wasn’t even sure if Adrian would want to have a baby with me, but I was resolved to try whether or not he was on board. At this point, I wasn’t willing to put trying for a baby on the back burner again. He would either be the father of my child, or I’d do it alone.

The promotion would make it a challenge, and being a single parent would be hard, but I needed to try. I’d lived with regret for too long.

One small text from my best friend had me halting in my steps in the lobby of my office building.

LJ: Since when do you like the Red Sox?

Isobel: What are you talking about?

LJ: Kiss cam footage of you and Dickhead is trending right now on IG. Seems his little macho display of possession hit Bookstagram with the hashtag #bookboyfriendgoals.

A link followed and my eyes widened when I opened it, a brief shot of me sitting next to Hutch appearing followed by Adrian reaching around me to palm his brother’s face. Even though I’d been there, a blush rose on my cheeks while I watched Adrian kissing me in front of tens of thousands of baseball fans.

LJ: You lucky bitch.

Isobel: Should I be worried about this?

LJ: It could be worse. You didn’t go viral for saying something wild like that hawk-tuah girl.

Isobel: You really need to let that go. I’m more concerned about what my dad will say if he sees that.

LJ: Who gives a shit. I’d be saving that shit on my phone to show your grandkids.

Isobel: Adrian hasn’t agreed to anything yet.

LJ: He will.

Isobel: We’ll find out later. Testing showed everything is fine on my part.

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