Page 75 of If the Ring Fits

As we step into the private elevator, Adrian turns to me, his expression cryptic. “I have a few emails to respond to,” he begins, his voice gravelly. Here we go, now he’ll say bye and disappear into his office forever. “But maybe later, we could watch a movie together? If you’re not too tired.”

I blink, taken aback by the unexpected offer. Oh, so he isn’t planning to be MIA for a month. “Um, sure. That sounds nice.”

His mouth twitches into a smile, gone as quickly as it appears. The elevator dings, and we enter the penthouse, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease the restless energy flowing in my veins.

I’m too tired to follow his lead and work on my toy console project—so far I’ve defined the improved functionalities, schematized the basic coding, but I still need to dig deeper intothe specifications. Instead, I take a long bath, review my schedule for the week, noting a doctor’s appointment I should tell Adrian about, and nap.

By evening, I’m waiting nervously on the couch, shuffling movies and wondering what Adrian enjoys watching. He emerges from his office ten minutes later, a drool-inducing vision in sweatpants and a tight white T-shirt.

He self-consciously passes a hand through his thick hair. “Still up for movie night?”

“Yeah. I’ll make some popcorn,” I offer, desperate for something to do with my hands. “You pick the movie?”

Adrian nods, already scrolling through the options on the massive flatscreen. I busy myself in the kitchen, the mundane task of popping kernels calming. By the time I return with a giant bowl of buttery goodness in my hands, he’s settled on the couch, a Will Ferrell comedy queued up and ready to go.

I sink down beside him, careful to leave a respectable distance between us. But as the opening credits roll and the laughter begins, I inch closer, drawn to his solid warmth like a night-blooming flower to moonlight. We’re not quite cuddling, but I savor every electrifying second of it.

When the movie ends, I tell him about the upcoming doctor’s appointments.

“I have an ultrasound this week.”

He raises an eyebrow at my out-of-the-blue declaration as if saying,And you’re telling me, why?

“I made a calendar,” I say, forwarding him the sheet I drafted on my phone. “Of all my check-ups and stuff. I figured you might need it, in case anyone asks about the baby and you want to appear… involved.”

Adrian looks at his phone, his eyes scanning the dates andtimes. “Your next one is tomorrow,” he notes, glancing up at me. “I’ll go with you.”

Pressure builds behind my ribcage. “You… you want to come? I’m sure it’s enough for you to know the basics for Dominic to…” I trail off under the narrowed focus of his stare.

He holds my gaze. “I’m coming.”

The seed of hope I’ve been desperately trying to suppress blossoms like a rose in the desert, thriving where it shouldn’t. He wants to be at my doctor’s appointment. Why? What does it mean?

32

ADRIAN

I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror as I button up my crisp white dress shirt. It’s Monday morning and under normal circumstances, I’d be rushing out the door to make it to the weekly strategy briefing at the office. But today is different. Today, I’m skipping the meeting to accompany Rowena to her ultrasound appointment.

As I loop my blue silk tie around my neck, I rationalize my decision. Dominic has been clear that he wants a family man to take over the company when he retires. Missing work to accompany my pregnant fiancée to her doctor’s appointment should score me some brownie points with the boss, right? It’s the perfect excuse.

But deep down, that’s not the real reason I’m doing this. After this weekend with Rowena, I’m a goner. Completely lost. Memories of our passionate kisses and the tantalizing way she undressed before me flash through my mind as I slide on my suit jacket. Even though we stopped short of taking things further, she has me under locks.

I’m not going to this appointment to impress Dominic orfurther my career. I’m going because I don’t want her to have to do this alone. Because being near her, supporting her, has suddenly become the most important thing in my life. More vital than oxygen.

My entire world has shifted, and Rowena is now at the center of everything.

I check my reflection one more time, smoothing down an errant lock of hair, and, turning away from the mirror, I unplug my phone from its charger to send a quick text to Sarah.

Adrian

Sarah, I need you to take the lead in the strategy meeting today. I’m going to be late to the office

Sarah Lopez

Did someone die?

Adrian

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