Page 39 of Enamored
He chuckles. “Didn’t know she was that kinky. Maybe I should have tried to hook up with her years ago.”
“Watch it,” I warn.
He puts his hands up in surrender and walks away, whistling to himself. Mom and Dad come outside, and I try to act nonchalant. Too bad my parents know me better than that. I pull them back into the house because this is not a conversation we need to have in front of guests.
I sit them down at the breakfast nook and tell them Lana’s pregnant. I watch a whirlwind of emotions flash across both their faces. My dad settles into disbelief, and my mom’s eyes shine with unshed tears. I don’t have the heart to tell her Lana and the baby probably aren’t moving out here and that I’m most likely going to give up the ranch to be with her. Now isn’t the time. I want the two of them to enjoy this moment.
“How far along is she?” Mom asks.
“Early. About eight weeks is what she told me. Her first ultrasound is next week, so I am going to be there for it. I want to be there for her in whatever way she’ll let me.”
Both my parents give me a hug, but Mom drags me away to her bedroom so we can have a private conversation.
“I’ve always liked that girl, Tristan. She’s good for you. You’re different around her. I don’t care how this baby came to be; I just want you to do the right thing and ask her to marry you.” I try to tell her I’m already planning on it when she holds up her hand to stop me. “It doesn’t have to happen right away. I want to know you’re happy. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around, and I need to know you and your father are going to be taken care of.”
“Mom, don’t talk like that. You’re on the mend. The doctors said things look good.”
She offers me a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I know what the doctors have said, but listen to what I’m telling you. I’ve been sick long enough to know the importance of finding what makes you happy. I know you’re happy here on the ranch, but it’s only half your life. You need someone to share it with.”
She opens her jewelry box and hands me a small ring. The diamond isn’t as big as the one I bought Lana, but it isn’t any less beautiful. The design has a vintage flair to it, with the intricate design of the metal.
“This was my grandmother’s, and I always hoped to have a child I could pass it down to. I want you to use this ring to ask Lana to be your wife.” She places it in my hand and closes my fingers around it. “Please, do this for me, Tristan.”
I’m not sure what I can say, so I don’t say anything and just nod instead. I uncurl my fingers and hold the delicate ring between my thumb and forefinger, examining it. I thought the ring I bought today was perfect, but this one? This one is outstanding. It is Lana. It’s delicate, beautiful, and has just enough sparkle to not be overbearing.
Chapter 21
Lana
Istare at Eloise’s office. Her nameplate on the wall to the side taunts me as I attempt to gather my thoughts and courage to tell her what I need. There are a few people in cubes around me, each involved in private conversations, and when I hear a lull, I know they’re staring at me. I don’t want to look like a crazy girl in the office, so I finally knock and wait for her to tell me to come in.
I close the door behind me again and take the seat opposite her. She pulls her glasses down her nose and places them on her desk.
“What can I do for you, Lana?” she asks. I look around her office, taking everything in. This office screams Eloise and sophistication. The white walls harbor a few abstract pictures in different shades of white, gold, and silver. She has a vase of fresh flowers that offer a splash of color. “Lana?” she asks again as I drag my eyes up to meet hers.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
She pulls back, clearly not expecting that to be what I’m here to tell her, and then it’s like the flood gates open, and I can’t contain it. She’s always been a confidant here. Never judging me, and always willing to lend an ear. She has no idea how thankful I am for that.
I tell her my past with the ranch and with Tristan. I tell her how we’ve been rekindling since she sent me away on this project, and how everything is falling apart.
“Are you happy about this?”
I take a minute to really think about it, and the more I do, the more I want the nine months to be over to meet the little guy. I nod and blink away the tears that have formed.
She stands, walks around her desk, and pulls me in for a hug. “Then I’m very happy for you, Lana. Don’t let opportunities pass you by because you’re afraid.” She motions for me to sit, and I sink down, happy to get off my shaking legs. “Did I ever tell you I lost love once, in favor of a job?”
I shake my head, and when she smiles at me, I know she’s happy to tell me.
“I’ve been around for some time now, and I’ve seen a lot in my day. Let me tell you, no job is worth it if you can’t be with someone who makes you happy. I fell in love with George when we were barely teenagers. I knew he was the one I wanted to be with, even if he didn’t know it. We never dated in school, but our paths often crossed through our careers.”
I scrunch my brows. I don’t want to interrupt her, but when she sees the confusion written on my face, she chimes in.
“Yes, George is now my husband, but we could have been together for a lot longer if we weren’t scared.”
She continues to tell me how they each found jobs in different cities, and fate happened to bring them together again one weekend, years later. They were both working at architecture firms; she was in Boston, and he was in Philadelphia. The client wanted a meeting with both companies and flew them to New York for the meeting.
Her room got booked next to his, and one drink led to two, and two led to her going back to his room. The only thing keeping them apart was the distance. They struggled with it for a few months before finally ending their relationship. They both moved on, formed new relationships, but in the end, they couldn’t be without one another. He moved up to Boston, and they started the company together.
