Page 26 of If the Ring Fits

Rowena

I hope my fortune cookie messages are in a separate room where they can’t be subjected to your misbeliefs

Adrian

*laughing emoji*

I promise never to express my skepticism in front of them

But I hope I’ve answered all your questions for now

Rowena

You didn’t tell me about ghosts

This time he doesn’t shoot back as fast as before. The answer takes longer to come in.

Adrian

I shouldn’t believe in ghosts. But tonight, I feel like mine are circling me in the darkness

Wow, he went from playful to deep fast. I’m having a bit of whiplash when the next text pops in.

Adrian

Sorry, that sort of put a damper on the mood

But I’m stressed. I hate not being in control and I’m spiraling

Rowena

I’m not the most collected person but I get it. Today was hard. For both of us

Adrian

I’m going to let you go to sleep now, you and the baby need to rest

Goodnight to both

My eyes go as big as Puss in Boots’. Is it just me, or is he really sweet?

Rowena

Keep your lights on and wear a sleep mask instead

Ghosts don’t like light

He sends me a picture back of his night lamp lit up. I glimpse a stylish bedroom in the background.

Something in my chest pulls. If I’d sent a message like that to Liam, he would’ve ridiculed me—if not worse.

Instead, now, even after what has been the most horrible day of my life, I close my eyes, dropping my phone on my chest, enveloped in a vague, unjustified sense of hope.

Two days later, the mid-June heat slams into me as I step out of my apartment building, the stifling air clinging to my skin. I squint against the bright sunlight, my eyes still adjusting after spending the past forty-eight hours mostly in bed with the curtains drawn. Queasiness churns in my stomach, an unpleasant reminder of how much I’ve been throwing up since getting fired. But I’m determined to push through the morning sickness. I need to get out of the house, get some fresh air. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’m really looking forward to seeing Adrian again, despite my roommates’ warnings.

Nina’s voice echoes in my head as I walk down the curb. “Winnie, are you sure about this? Going to meet some rich guy alone at his place?”

“It’s just coffee first,” I assured her. “I’ll text you every hour to let you know I’m alive.”

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