Page 10 of Set In Stone

“You shouldn’t rely on coffee so much, Krystina. It isn’t healthy for you. Besides, if we stop, we’ll be late for ourappointment.”

She frowned and looked at the clock on thedash.

“Yeah, you’re right,” she agreed and turned to stare out the window again. She cleared her throat and I couldn’t help but to notice that she sounded slightly congested. I wondered if she was showing the beginning signs of a headcold.

The light turned green and I hit the accelerator, although I had half a mind to turn around and head forhome.

She should be in bed.Resting.

“We can reschedule our appointment if you’d like? I know it’s been a long week for you,” I suggested tentatively, even though I already knew what her answer wouldbe.

“No, Alex,” she sharply dismissed. “This is important. We finally started making progress lastweek.”

“Hmm,” I murmured. What she called progress and what I called progress were entirely differentthings.

As if noticing her clipped response, she placed a hand on my knee, gave it a light squeeze, and smiled atme.

“It will be okay,” she said, adapting a softer tone. “Like I said in the email, just try to keep an open mind today. In fact, both of us need to take a different approach to this. We can find a middle ground here. I know wecan.”

“Perhaps.”

Or perhaps we scratch the whole fuckingthing.

I glanced down at her hand resting on my knee. The passing street lights glinted off the diamond and sapphire ring that I placed on her delicate finger nearly two months earlier, a symbol that she would soon be mine. Allmine.

It was strange to think about my life before meeting her. I was successful and wealthy, having never once dreamed of settling for just one woman. From clubs to subs, jumping from one woman to the next had simply been easier. It meant no emotional attachments and a hell of a lot less risk. Until death do us part was never once on myradar.

Until I metKrystina.

She made me realize how dull and mundane my life had actually been. When I proposed marriage to her, she truly shocked me by saying yes. I expected her to put me off or question it in typical Krystina-like fashion. I assumed I would have to work to get her to see my way of thinking, but she had barely put up any sort of resistance whatsoever. She simply said yes. In that moment, I was the happiest manalive.

I was still somewhat astounded by my sudden urgency to settle down, but it wasn’t an unwelcomed feeling. After our chance meeting in a grocery store, she sent my world into a tailspin and she unknowingly changed me. Each day she made me feel new and unfamiliar emotions. She made me realize that I didn’t want to live my life in solidarity any longer. I knew on the day I met her that I wanted her, and I haven’t looked backsince.

I cast a sideways glance at her ringagain.

Mr. and Mrs. AlexanderStone.

I want that.Now.

If only she would stop dragging herfeet.

While Krystina had been steadfast in her commitment to marrying me, her actions showed otherwise. It wasn’t one particular thing that she did or said, but more about the way she avoided discussing any sort of plan. I wanted to get married sooner rather than later. Having our relationship officially set in stone as soon as possible was my top priority. She, on the other hand, was content putting off our wedding for another year ormore.

I had no intention of waiting a year and her unwillingness to go over any of my proposed plans was grating on mynerves.

“So, I talked to Justine today,” I casuallymentioned.

“Oh? I haven’t seen her in a while. What’s new withher?”

“Her nerves are shot. Did you see the email I forwarded you about the date change for Charlie’strial?”

“Yeah. I saw it was movedup.”

“In my opinion, the pending trial is getting the best ofher.”

“I think all of us are a bit keyed up over that,” she murmured. “I can’t wait for it to be done so we can put this behindus.”

“I couldn’t agree more, angel. I couldn’t agree more. But I know Justine. I think a project would be a good distraction for her right now. She doesn’t handle being bored or anxious verywell.”

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