Page 32 of If the Ring Fits

“Twenty thousand dollars?” I gape. “Per month?”

He smirks now. “You didn’t take me for a full, stingy Scrooge McDuck, did you?”

Oh, so he’s not a total cyborg. Good to know. I relax a bit and crack a smile at the joke. “I won’t be spending twenty grand a month.”

His expression is more open now. “Don’t worry. I said I’d be taking care of you and I will. To which effect.” He takes his wallet out of his pocket and fishes out a business card. “I’ve asked around, and this is the best neonatal doctor in town.”

He hands me the card, where over a polished logo that reads Clinlada, the name and qualifications of a specialist are printed out:

Dr. John Raikes

Double board-certified OB/GYN, sub-specializing in maternal-fetal medicine and fetal and neonatal surgery.

“I’ve added you to my insurance and asked my secretary to book you an appointment first thing tomorrow morning.”

I blink. When did he have the time to do all this? He truly is a machine. A Terminator. Pity, he’s not getting involved with the baby or I could’ve given him all the night feeds. I bet he doesn’t even need sleep.

“You should go see him about your morning sickness. I know it’s normal, but just to be sure.”

Despite his businesslike attitude, I’m moved by Adrian’s mindfulness, maybe too transported. In my previous relationship, I wasn’t used to my boyfriend being considerate about my personal struggles. My standards are low.

“Thank you.”

He shrugs. “It’s nothing.”

Adrian is looking at me with half a smile and those smoky brown eyes, and I can’t stand it. I bounce up. “I’m going to head to bed now.”

Before I go, I notice how Adrian’s gaze flicks to my empty bowl. Heat rushes to my cheeks. Way to be a slob, Rowena. I pick up the dirty dish from the coffee table and carry it to the kitchen, chastising myself for leaving a mess behind.

I’ve just dropped it in the dishwasher when a deep voice jolts through me. “Rowena.”

Spinning around, I find Adrian leaning against the threshold, looking unfairly sexy with his tousled dark hair and sleeves rolled up over toned forearms.

“This is your home, too, now.” His dark eyes glint with amusement. “You can leave stuff around. I’m not the nit-pick police.”

A surprised laugh escapes me. He’s so different from Liam, who used to bite my head off over the smallest things; my ex would make a monumental case of even minor accidents—like if I dropped something or booked the “wrong” restaurant.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I reply. “Though this place seems way too pristine for not being policed.”

Adrian grins, and the effect is devastating. “It’s all Mrs. Doherty, not me.”

“Oh, okay.” I roll my eyes, hoping his housekeeper is not a Mrs. Rottenmeier. “Good to know I can clutter.”

His lips twitch. “Night, Rowena.” He touches two fingers to his forehead and then flicks them away with a swift, carefree motion. “Sleep well.”

“Yeah, you, too,” I say, slightly breathless.

I wait for him to clear the door before I move out of the kitchen. With the way his deep voice sunk straight into my core, I don’t need to accidentally brush against his chest. It’s great he’ll be out of the house most of the time, otherwise I’d be in danger of forgetting all the reasons it’s a good idea to keep my distance.

14

ROWENA

Sam pulls up in front of Tiffany’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue, and I can’t say I’m surprised Adrian would choose the iconic jewelers to buy me an engagement ring.

As the driver opens the car door for me, the famed Tiffany & Co writing gleams in the late afternoon sunlight. I mutter a quick thanks and step onto the sidewalk, smoothing my dress. Today I made an effort. Even if the occasion is fake, I still thought it’d be nice to look pretty in case we have to make a post on Instagram or something.

I’m also feeling incredibly well. I went for my first consult at Clinlada yesterday, and Dr. Raikes—a hottie with blue eyes and a mop of black hair—prescribed me a miraculous drug that’s safe to take during pregnancy and that made the morning sickness almost completely disappear. I feel much more energetic now.

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