Page 68 of If the Ring Fits

I almost swallow my tongue. “About that… I know the circumstances are unorthodox?—”

Claire waves a dismissive hand. “No need to explain, my dear. Adrian has already filled me in on the details.”

I blink at her, nonplussed. I’d expected disapproval, maybe even outright hostility. But this simple acceptance is even more unnerving.

Before I can plan a response, the front door swings open and Adrian strides in, his tie loosened and his hair endearingly mussed. The moment he steps into the room, I unconsciously straighten my posture, then our eyes meet for the first time in over a week and the air between us shifts; it’s subtle but undeniable.

He drops his gaze right away.

Coward, I want to scream.

“Mom.” He crosses the room to embrace her. “I see you’ve met Rowena.”

“Yes, indeed.” Claire smiles, cat-like. “And I must say, darling, she’s even lovelier than you described.”

My cheeks heat at the compliment, and I summon a smile as if my fake fiancé hasn’t ghosted me for the past two weeks—if you exclude our lunch last Wednesday. “Dinner’s ready whenever you are.”

Adrian looks at me again, his expression softening intosomething that makes my helpless heart tumble. “Smells delicious.” He nods a silent thank you at me and turns to Claire, tucking her neatly against his side. “Hungry?”

“Starving.”

They walk together into the dining room, making me feel almost like a third wheel.

But as we settle around the table, I feel more involved. Claire regales us with stories from Adrian’s childhood, painting a picture of a precocious boy with a penchant for mischief and a heart of gold.

“He was always bringing home stray animals.” She laughs, her eyes twinkling with fond memories. “I never knew what I’d find when I opened the front door. Puppies, kittens, even a baby squirrel once.”

Adrian groans good-naturedly. “I couldn’t help it,” he defends himself. “They needed me.”

Tender warmth unfurls in my chest at the thought of a young Adrian, but I also wonder if I’m the stray in this scenario that he brought home to rescue.

Catching the contemplative look on my face, he turns to me with a soft smile. “What about you, S—” He stops and he’d better not fucking dare to call me Sunshine. Adrian coughs. “Any childhood misadventures to share?”

I shrug. “Oh, you know. Just the usual stuff. Skinned knees, questionable fashion choices, the occasional ill-advised haircut.”

“Oh. Do you have pictures?” Adrian smirks.

“Yes, but I’m not showing them to you.”

“Darn.” Adrian mock-pouts, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “And I was hoping for some grade-A blackmail material.”

“You already have all the dirt you need.”

Claire chuckles, her gaze bouncing between Adrian and me with the sharpness of a hawk. “You two seem to have a natural rapport. I mean, despite the situation. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t be able to tell this is all make believe.”

“It’s not, Mom. I told you we’ve become friends.”

Adrian’s words sting and soothe simultaneously. I’m honored that he considers me his friend and hurt that it’s just that. Being near him is a roller coaster of high and lows. I should get off the ride. But every time I reach the finish line, I go for another round instead. Am I repeating the same cycle I had with Liam, of being with a person who isn’t good for me? No. With Adrian, it’s different.

Because where Liam was manipulative, mean, and controlling, Adrian has been nothing other than kind, open, and supportive. In moments like this, I don’t know if I should push things between us or follow his lead and pull away.

The next day, as I stare at my sexy dress hanging in our shared room at the beach resort where we’re hosting the party, I decide I want to push.

29

ADRIAN

The warm, late afternoon sun envelops me as I stroll through the lush gardens of the Hamptons beach resort. Golden light glimmers off the ocean in the distance, creating a picturesque backdrop for our engagement party. Everything has to be perfect. My gaze rakes over the placement of tables and chairs, the elegant centerpieces bursting with white roses and calla lilies, checking that all is in order.

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