Page 55 of If the Ring Fits

“It’s the truth,” I insist, my voice wavering but determined. “I wasn’t with anyone else before I found out I was pregnant. This baby is yours, whether or not you want to believe it.”

Liam leans back in his chair, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “Right, because you’re just the picture of honesty and fidelity, aren’t you, Rowena? I mean, look at you—running around with this guy mere weeks after we broke up. How do I know he’s not the real father, huh?”

Adrian tenses beside me, his jaw clenching with barely restrained anger. I give his hand a squeeze, silently pleading with him to keep his cool.

“He’s not…” I trail off, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I swear to you, Liam, this child is yours. I would never lie about something like this.”

Liam studies me for a long moment, his gaze calculating and cold. Then, he stands up abruptly, fishing a few crumpled dollar bills from his pocket and tossing them carelessly onto the table. “I’m not paying for your mistakes. If you and your fuckbuddy here thought you could shake me down for money, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Adrian rises to his feet, his imposing figure towering over Liam. “Watch your mouth,” he growls, his voice low andthreatening. “Rowena’s not asking for your money. She just thought you deserved to know the truth.”

Liam scoffs, waving a dismissive hand in our direction. “The truth? Please. I don’t owe either of you a damn thing.” He stares me down next. “If you’re stupid enough to get knocked up, that’s your problem, not mine.”

He jabs a finger at the measly bills scattered on the table. “That’s all you’re getting from me—enough for a coffee, and you’re not even worth that. Don’t contact me again, Rowena. We’re done.”

With that, Liam turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving me staring after him dazed, emotionally drained. Tears well up in my eyes, the crushing weight of his last humiliation pressing down on my chest.

“Adrian…” My voice trembles. “Please don’t judge me for having dated him. Liam… he wasn’t always like this. It took a long time for his true colors to show.”

Adrian’s expression softens, and he reaches out to pull me up into his arms. As the first sob rips from my throat, I bury my face against his chest, my body shaking with the force of my tears.

23

ADRIAN

She’s crying in my arms and I don’t know what to do. Rowena trembles against my chest, her body wracked with sobs. I stroke a hand over her silky hair, unsure what else to do or say.

Her ex is lucky my hands are occupied comforting her, or I’d chase after him and beat his sorry ass into the curb.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” I murmur against her hair. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. And I don’t judge you one bit for dating that scumbag, I promise.”

Rowena shakes her head slightly where it’s nestled against my shoulder. Her tears dampen my T-shirt but I couldn’t care less.

“Hey, what is it? Why are you crying?”

She pulls back and looks up at me. Even with her eyes bloodshot from crying, she’s still so beautiful it strikes me dumb.

“I’m okay, I swear. I’m just so fucking relieved that I’ll never have to deal with Liam again.” Her statement catches me off guard. “He’s finally, truly gone from my life.”

I blink back my surprise and let out a short, nervous chuckle. “Okay. So these are happy tears?”

“They’re fuck-off tears,” she says fiercely as a tentative smile appears on her beautiful face. The tension melts away from her frame, and it’s like I can physically feel the weight lifting off her. A knot in my chest I didn’t even know was there loosens, too. She doesn’t still harbor feelings for that asshole. Thank fuck. I will not examine too closely why that makes me so damn happy. I pull her more firmly into my arms and rub soothing circles on her back.

We stay like that for a long time as her tears slowly subside and her breathing evens out. I don’t let myself think about how right she feels in my embrace. How much I want to keep holding her and never let go.

She lets out a watery chuckle. “Gosh, what was I thinking, wasting so much time on him?” She wipes at her eyes, straightening up and away from me. I reluctantly let her go.

“Hey, no judgment, remember? We all make mistakes.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “But you’re free now.”

Rowena pulls further back and I feel the loss of her warmth in my bones. She rummages in her purse, fishing out a tissue to blow her nose. “Yes, I’m free.” The words sound momentous. “I did the right thing, telling Liam about the baby. His reaction was horrible, but my conscience is clear now.” She gazes at me, her eyes shining with newfound resolve. “The baby and I will be better off without him. That was always the case, but now it won’t be because I lied or hid the truth. It’s Liam’s decision to walk away, not mine.”

I nod, admiration ballooning inside me. “I’m proud of you, Sunshine.”

She fully grins now. “Thanks, Bunny. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You would’ve managed just fine. But I’m glad I could be here for you.” I glance toward the café, then back at her. “So, what do you want to do now? Still up for that coffee, or would you rather just go?”

Rowena’s smile turns devilish. She reaches for the table, snatching up the two ten-dollar bills Liam dropped in his dramatic exit. “Oh, we’re having coffee. It’s on that asshole, after all.”

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