Page 50 of If the Ring Fits

I worry at my lower lip, conflicting emotions warring in my chest. “I hear you, and I mostly agree. It’s just…” I pause, trying to articulate the nagging sense of unease. “Some part of me feels like the baby deserves a chance to have their father in their life. Not for me, but for them. Is it selfish of me to unilaterally decide Liam doesn’t even get to know he’s going to have a kid?”

Nina’s gaze softens, and she reaches across the table to clasp my hand. “Oh, honey, no. You’re not being selfish, you’re being a good mom. And good moms protect their children from people who could hurt them. Liam’s already proven he has no qualms about crushing your self-esteem. Do you want to risk him doing that to your child, too?”

I flinch at the thought, my free hand instinctively reaching for my still-flat stomach. “No, I don’t.” I sigh. “You’re right, both of you. It’s not fair to my baby to willingly expose them to a manipulator when they’re too little to protect themselves.”

Hunter raises her coffee mug in a mock toast. “Here’s to deadbeat dads staying dead and gone!”

We all laugh, dispelling the somber mood. Inside though, a small, niggling part of me still isn’t entirely convinced. Is it really my place to decide Liam never even finds out he’s a father? I tamp the doubt down and paste on a bright smile that doesn’t quite reach my heart.

There’s a beat of silence that Nina quickly fills. “Tell us, what’s it like living with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Loaded?” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh, you know.” I blush. “He’s always busy working, so Ihave the place to myself a lot. But when he is around, he’s just…” I fumble with my hands, blushing some more. “Like a walking, talkingGQmagazine cover. But with spreadsheets. And he’s got this intensity about him that can be overwhelming. But there are moments, like when he’s just talking about something he loves or when he looks at me like…” I trail off, realizing I’m getting into dangerous heart-fluttering territory.

Hunter leans forward, her eyes alight with curiosity. “When he looks at you like…?”

My cheeks warm even more.

Nina and Hunter exchange a meaningful look. “Ooh, sounds like someone might have a crush on her dashing fake fiancé,” Nina teases in a singsong voice.

I toss my crumpled napkin at her. “Oh shut up, it’s not like that! I just meant he’s been a surprisingly good friend, that’s all.”

Hunter snorts. “Sure, a friend.”

“I swear.”

The sun glints off Nina’s oversized sunglasses as she leans across the table, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “The only way to know if you’ve got it bad for your fake boyfriend is to introduce us.”

“Yeah,” Hunter agrees. “We have to meet and vet the guy.”

I roll my eyes. “Nothing is going on,” I repeat. “And I’ll guess you’ll meet him soon.”

“How soon?” Nina seems unconvinced.

“We’re hosting an engagement party, and of course you’ll be invited.”

“An engagement party?” Hunter gasps, her eyes wide as saucers. “When did this happen? I need details, woman!”

Nina chimes in. “Did he buy you a ring?”

I fumble for my phone. “Yes. It’s gorgeous but I’m too afraid to wear it. Don’t want to get mugged.”

I swipe to the photo and hold it out for them to see. The large, canary yellow diamond sparkles even in the digital image. Their jaws drop in unison.

“Holy shit, is that thing real?” Hunter grabs the phone to get a closer look.

“The diamond yes.” I lower my voice and hiss, “But the engagement is still fake.”

“But the ring is stunning,” Nina adds, peering over Hunter’s shoulder. “Do you think you can keep it after you break up?”

“I don’t know.” A jolt buzzes through my core at the memory of Adrian sliding it onto my finger. Somehow the idea of keeping it after everything will be over feels wrong.

“When’s the big engagement bash?” Hunter asks as she hands my phone back.

“In about three weeks.” I take a sip of my iced latte, the condensation cooling my hot palms. “We’re hosting it at the Hamptons.”

Hunter slams a palm on the table, rattling our coffee mugs. “Three weeks? Oh, hell no, we can’t wait that long to meet the mysterious Adrian West! It’ll be way too awkward if the engagement party is the first time we’re introduced.”

I shift in my seat. “Well, he’s really busy with work and I don’t want to spring too much on him at once?—”

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