“Men. Carrying a child and giving birth is hard work. I should know, I’ve done it three times. A woman wants to feel appreciated.”
Being romantic sure was starting to look harder than running a conglomerate. “Right. So, what do you think is a good gift for a woman who isn’t materialistic and is a little bit of a nerd?a hot one might I add?”
That sent her into another fit of giggles.
“Well, jewelry is a norm but if she isn’t materialistic, maybe a nice spa treatment. A professional photoshoot would be nice also, to capture your new family as it begins.”
I shook my head, taking in everything.
“Another great idea is a luxurious getaway. Aside from the honeymoon you’re planning, maybe a nice cruise or something.” Janine tapped her chin. “There’s always the keepsake route such as a baby book or journal.”
I blew out a breath.
“Wow. Well, it’s a good thing I have another six months to come up with that perfect gift, huh?”
She smiled and gave me a friendly pat on the knee. “You’re doing great with recreating this wedding. Coming up with a gift will be a piece of cake.”
“Thanks. I appreciate all of your help.”
“You’re very welcome, Mr. Thorne.” She glanced at her watch. “I should get going, I have another appointment.”
“Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything more for planning. This needs to be?”
“Perfect, I know,” she smiled and patted my cheek. “You’ve grown into a fine young man, Adam.”
I couldn’t help laughing at the motherly gesture and words. Janine worked with my family long enough to have witnessed my numerous hiccups over the years. “Thanks. It was touch and go for a while, wasn’t it?”
She laughed, and grabbed her handbag.
“Oh, I knew you’d come around.”
On my way back from walking Janine to the elevator, I was stopped by to see my assistant.
“Mr. Thorne, Beth stopped by while you were in your meeting, but she left.”
I frowned. “Did she tell you what she wanted?”
“No. I told her you’d be out in a few but she just took off.”
It was my first time having a pregnant wife so naturally, I panicked. My first thought was that something was wrong. Beth never just showed up at my office. She hadn’t even called first.
“Cancel my two o’clock and reschedule for tomorrow if possible.”
Diane’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? Mr. ?”
“Just do it, Diane.”
Her mouth clamped shut and she reached for the phone. It could have been a meeting with the President of the country for all I cared. I had to make sure Beth was alright.
Chapter 21
Beth
I knew it was all too good to be true. In what reality did a girl like me end up with a filthy rich self-proclaimed, reformed rake and have a fairytale ending? What possessed me to think that I could hold on to a man like Adam being plain old me? I didn’t know who I was more angrier at?myself or him.
I should never have allowed myself to be lured into a false sense of security. Adam hadn’t said anything about wanting to stay with me because he loved me. Maybe he was just satisfied with the idea of having an heir to take over the Thorne empire. The thought of him kicking me to the curb after the baby was born had been a terrifying thought in my mind for days.
I should have known something wasn’t right. The warning sign had been there the very day I told him I was pregnant. He’d been a good sport about the whole thing but in the end, I’d seen his uncertainty. He’d hid it well, assured me he was fine, but I saw it.