Page 28 of If the Ring Fits

My tongue feels like sandpaper. “Hey.”

I avoid eye contact, still fixated on that mug.

But then Adrian trails my gaze and speaks in his deep, soothing voice. “I got you a honey ginger tea, it might help with the nausea. But please, if there’s anything else you’d like—food, another drink—just say the word and I’ll get it for you.”

Relief floods through me, dissolving the knot of tension. He was trying to be thoughtful, not controlling. This is Adrian, not Liam. I need to remember that.

I give him another tentative smile. Despite being a cutthroat professional in the high-stake game of Wall Street—at least if Dylan and Tristan are to be believed—Adrian seems to be more nervous than me as he keeps talking.

“They have a high-protein granola yogurt that’s also supposed to be good for expectant mothers,” he continues, his brow furrowing. “But I wasn’t sure if you felt up to eating anything; I didn’t want to presume.”

The considerate gesture warms me from the inside out, chasing away the last of my unease. “Thank you, that’s sweet of you. The yogurt sounds perfect right about now. And maybe some water too, if you don’t mind?”

Adrian’s face lights up. “You got it. One granola yogurt and a water, coming right up.” He stands, and I can’t resist sneaking a glance at how his jeans hug the muscular curve of his backside as he heads to the counter. Hot damn.

The man fills out a pair of Levi’s like it’s nobody’s business.

Tearing my gaze away, I wrap my hands around the warm mug and breathe in the soothing scent of ginger and honey.

I take a tentative sip of the tea, savoring the way it soothes my throat. I’m surprised by how different this casual breakfast is from any interaction I ever had with Liam. My ex never would’ve gone out of his way to find something to ease my discomfort. With him, it was always about what he wanted, what worked for him, what I could do for him. But Adrian… he seems to care. Or at least he’s good at making me feel like he does.

I’m just taking another careful swallow of tea when Adrian returns, setting a glass of water and a bowl of creamy white yogurt sprinkled with granola in front of me. “Your order, milady,” he announces with a playful little half-bow before settling back into his seat.

“My hero,” I quip, surprised at how easily the banter comes. Usually, I clam up around guys I’m attracted to, my wit drying up like the Sahara. But something about Adrian puts me at ease, despite the unconventional circumstances. “Seriously though, thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” Adrian’s smile softens as his gaze meets mine, warm and sincere. “I know this whole situation isn’t easy. But I want to make this as uncomplicated as possible and for you to be comfortable with everything that we discuss today.”

Right, because we’re only here to discuss a business arrangement. I must drill that concept into my head.

Just.

Business.

12

ADRIAN

The second I mention what we’re here to discuss, Rowena becomes shifty again. She looks like a scared lamb standing in front of a big, bad wolf, ready to hop away at the first sign of distraction from the predator.

I need to tread lightly. Already, I almost fucked up by ordering her that drink without asking first. She came in smiling, knocking the breath out of me in her simple clothes: jeans, a plain T-shirt, no makeup, black glasses perched on her button nose, and her chestnut hair cascading freely. Then, one look at the mug on her side of the table, and that beautiful smile dropped. I mentally kicked myself for getting her the ginger tea; she must’ve assumed I’m a prick who orders for his partners.

Hopefully, I turned that around with the yogurt.

I wait for her to have a few spoonfuls of granola before I say, “So…”

Rowena smiles tensely. She’s still a tad pale, but in better shape than the other day. It’s a relief to see. “You want an answer from me.”

I nod, no point in denying it. “Sorry for insisting, but if I have to admit the truth to my boss, I should do it right away.”

She turns the mug in her hands, avoiding eye contact. “How would the agreement work?”

Out of my backpack, I fish out a manila folder. “I’ve had my lawyers look into what would be the safest way for us to frame this agreement, for you specifically…” I pause because the next part might put her off.

Rowena raises an eyebrow at me. “That bad, huh?”

I hesitate, forcing a tentative, encouraging smile that I’m sure comes off as more of a grimace. “Well, the short of it is that it’d be way easier to manage everything if we actually got married.”

Ginger tea goes down the wrong pipe, and she sputters, coughing. When she’s recovered her breath, she stares at me appalled. “I shouldn’t be surprised. You proposed to me after half an hour, it makes sense we’d move from a fake engagement to a real marriage in less than two days.”

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