Page 99 of If the Ring Fits

Undeterred, I place my hand forward, palm up.

With a groan, Adrian pulls up the file and hands me the phone. The list is titled:Reasons Rowena should stay married to me. It makes me grin.

The first bullet point states:I love you.

I look up at him. “Strong start.”

Number two is:I love Soleil as my own.

It follows with a few solid entries like loyal and ready to move anywhere for you. Next, there’s a “good in bed” with a question mark afterward that has me cackling.

I look up at him, beaming. “You can remove that question mark, sir.”

He brushes off his shoulders like the total secret nerd he is.

I’m smiling so hard as I continue to scan the list—I get along with your friends, my mom loves you, your parents adore me—until my eyes snatch on the last point and my heart fractures all over again and comes back together bigger, stronger.

I re-read the bottom line to make sure my mind is not playing tricks on me. But no, the words are there. Black on white.

I want to adopt our daughter.

I take a moment before I lift my eyes to his. And just as well because the way he’s staring back at me—vulnerable, hopeful, and most of all,real—says more than words or a list of reasons ever could. It’s all there, everything I’ve been waiting, dreaming, and hoping to see.

“Oh, Adrian.” I drop my forehead on his shoulder and burrow into him as I sob.

His strong arms engulf me as he smooths my hair down,his fingers trailing through the locks. “Please tell me these are happy tears.”

“They are. Your diabolical plan worked.” I pull back and grab a tissue from my bag and blow my nose. It’s not sexy but it’s necessary, and I’m not afraid to be my true, flawed, unguarded self in front of him anymore. “Is that what you want me to sign today?”

“Yes.” Hands in his pockets, he tilts his head. “The adoption papers are drawn, will you… sign them?”

I smile brighter than I have in my entire life. “Bring all those lawyers back in here and tell them to leave the coffee out this time because I’m not spilling on those.”

44

ADRIAN

At the office, I scratch out my signature on a document and flip the folder shut. Rowena’s face drifts through my mind, her eyes sparkling, lips curved into that irresistible smile that makes my heart thump double-time. After patching things up with her yesterday, my life feels like it’s finally fallen into place. We’re together now, for real, a family, no more doubts about where any of us stands.

It’s barely 11a.m. and I already can’t wait to go home to her, to both my girls. I wonder what new trick Soleil will have learned today, even if I’m sure nothing could ever top the first time she smiled at me.

The intercom on my desk buzzes, interrupting my reverie. “Mr. West?” My secretary’s voice crackles through the speaker. “Mr. Fulton wants to see you in his office. Right away.”

I frown and press the reply button. “Did he say what it’s about, Wendy?”

“No, just that he needs to speak with you.” Her tone carries an undercurrent of curiosity.

Unease slithers down my spine as I push back from my desk. It has to be about the promotion—Dominic must have made his decision about who will replace him when he retires. He was supposed to already have retired by the end of the year, but he postponed. I suspect he wanted to see how the deal with the police fund would go, leaving Preston and me in a sort of limbo.

And after this eternal wait, it seems fitting that the decision would arrive today, the final tassel missing in the perfect puzzle of my life.

Truth is, last summer, this would’ve been the single defining moment of my existence. But now I know that even if I don’t get the job, I’ll survive.

I still want it. I’ve worked my ass off for it—but if Preston gets it, it won’t be the end of the world. I already dodged that bullet yesterday when I thought Rowena was leaving me, taking Soleil with her. So, today, I can be at peace with whatever decision Dominic makes.

Rolling my shoulders back, I stand, buttoning my suit jacket, and stride toward the elevators, determination quickening my steps. I jab the up button and watch the numbers slowly ascend as the stress of the last few months uncoils from around my spine. The doors slide open with a soft ding, and I step inside, steeling myself for whatever news awaits me in Dominic’s office, good or bad.

As the elevator lurches upward, I check myself in the mirror, smoothing my tie for the dozenth time.

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