Page 64 of If the Ring Fits

I sign the lunch bill with a flourish, feeling very Carrie Bradshaw. Just as I snap my wallet shut, my phone buzzes with an incoming text. It’s from Nina, asking if I’m still down to spend the long weekend at her parents’ house.

I look up from the screen to stare at Adrian. “Do we have plans for the Fourth?”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Plans?”

Oh my gosh, now he probably thinks I’m trying to cling to him. “Yeah, like do you have any work commitments or an appearance you need to make with your boss?”

Adrian shakes his head, his chiseled jaw catching the sunlight streaming through the tree branches overhead. “No, we’re good. The next event with Dominic is not for another three weeks.”

“Oh, okay. Because I’d forgotten Nina had invited me to go to her parents’ house, we’re all going…” Should I invite him to come? Would he want to? “What about you, any fun plans for the long weekend?” I ask breezily, hoping I sound casual and not desperately fishing.

“I’m visiting my mom upstate.”

“Oh, that’s nice,” I reply, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. The silence grows more awkward as I wait for him to break it. To invite me along. To ask me if I want to join him instead of going to Nina’s… But Adrian just smiles politely and takes a sip of his water.

Of course he doesn’t ask me to go, I scold myself silently. Seeing his mom is not a work event, so no need to parade the fake fiancée around. And unless he absolutely has to, Adrian is not interested in spending extra time with me. He made that crystal clear on Sunday morning when I clumsily threw myself at him and he firmly shut it down.

Nina’s words after they met float into my mind:He’s a great guy… Just notyourgreat guy.

And she’s right, as much as I hate to admit it. Yes, Adrian is giving me financial advice and even came with me to confront my toxic ex. He’s an amazing friend.

But that’s all he wants to be—just friends, or supportive roommates. A “mutually beneficial business arrangement,” to use his words. Nothing more. I need to get that through my hormone-addled brain already and stop hoping for something that’s never going to happen.

A pang of longing lodges in my throat. I hope Adrian can’t see it as I plaster on a bright smile and text Nina back that I’m in for a besties weekend lounging by her parents’ pool…

Fake thirty-two-teeth grin still in place, I turn to Adrian again. “All settled. I’m leaving tonight.”

“Yeah, me too, I’ll go straight from the office.”

Would he have even told me he was going if I hadn’t invited him to lunch? Or would he just have been gone for four dayswith no warning? To be fair, he was probably just embarrassed about Sunday. And Adrian doesn’t owe me explanations on how or where he spends his time.

Whether he was going to tell me or not, the thought that I won’t see him until Monday—or even later if he keeps up his ungodly schedule—plunges another little spear into my heart.

“I’m sure your mom will be thrilled to see you.” This conversation is turning excruciatingly polite.

“Actually.” Adrian seems oblivious to the wistful thoughts swirling in my head. “I’ll use this weekend to let her know about our arrangement. Explain the whole fake marriage and pregnancy situation so she’s not blindsided at the engagement party.”

His words yank me firmly back to reality. Right. Our sham relationship.

Adrian leans forward, his dark eyes searching mine. “Have you told your parents? About the baby and everything?”

A flush creeps up my neck. “No, not yet. I was planning to do it this weekend, too.” A lie, but one I should probably make come true. It’s not like I can invite my parents straight to the wedding when I’ll already be showing with no forewarning.

Picking at the tablecloth, I avoid his gaze. “I’ll stick to the story we agreed on—pretend you’re the father and we’re getting married.” The lies taste sour on my tongue. “I won’t have them come out for the engagement party,” I add hastily. “It’s a long trip from Nebraska. Better to have them fly over only once for the actual wedding.”

Adrian nods. “Makes sense. Whatever you think is best.”

He stands. “Ready to head out? I should get back to the office.”

“Sure.” I gather my purse and follow him out of the courtyard through the bustling restaurant.

Outside, on the sunbaked sidewalk, Adrian turns to face me. “Well, have a great weekend with your friends.” He flashes me a polite smile.

“You too,” I reply flippantly, determined not to let him see how much his casual dismissal stings. “Enjoy your trip home.”

As he strides away, an inexplicable tightness seizes my lungs. I want to call out, to tell him…

Tell him what exactly? That somewhere along the way, my stupid heart started wishing this pretend relationship was real? Yeah, that’d go over well.

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