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"Of course we can," I reply, pulling her closer. My hand finds its way to her stomach, resting lightly over the place where our babies are growing. The reality of it hits me anew, stealing my breath.

We sit like that for a while, both lost in our thoughts. Eventually, Tess yawns and shifts against me.

"I should go," I say, glancing at my watch. "Let you get some sleep."

She walks me to the door, her hand in mine. At the threshold, I pull her into a tight embrace, trying to pour all my complicated feelings into the gesture.

"I'll call you tomorrow," I promise. "Maybe we can have dinner?"

"I'd like that." She stands on tiptoe to kiss me goodnight, her lips soft against mine.

As I walk to my car, the night air does nothing to clear my head. Twins. The word pounds in my brain with each step. My phone buzzes in my pocket—an email from my assistant about tomorrow's meetings. The ordinary reminder of my already over-scheduled life sends a fresh wave of panic through me.

I slide behind the wheel, but don't start the engine immediately. Instead, I rest my forehead against the steering wheel, breathing deeply. How the hell am I supposed to balance one of the biggest business years of my life with becoming a father to twins?

But the image of Tess standing in her doorway, vulnerable and brave, keeps me from completely losing it. Whatever happens, whatever adjustments I have to make, I can't let her down.

The next morning, I’m in the office sifting through stacks of market analysis reports. I've been here since six and I’ve already had three cups of coffee.

I've been back from Bolivia for three days, and I've spent forty-two of the last seventy-two hours in this glass-walled sanctuary, where problems have solutions and every variable can be controlled. Unlike my personal life, which is complete chaos.

I reach for my coffee, grimacing when I find it cold. I press the intercom. "Angela, could you grab me another coffee when you can? Extra sugar."

"On my way, Mr. Astor," comes her immediate reply. She appears at my door moments later, fresh coffee in hand. "You have the Portland real estate team at eight, the marketing presentation at nine-thirty, and the investor call at eleven."

"Perfect." I take the mug, the familiar sweetness a momentary comfort. "Has Sanjay arrived yet?"

"Just pulled into the garage." She gives me a motherly look that I pretend not to notice—the one that says she knows I came in too early and I’m working too hard. Angela has been with me for many years and she prides herself on keeping a constant check on my mental health. I pretend to be annoyed sometimes, but I actually really do appreciate it.

“That should be your last cup of coffee today. We don’t want you having one of those caffeine, blood sugar crashes with such a busy day ahead of you.”

I nod, agreeing with her, and finding it funny that’s she’s cutting me off.

When she leaves, I turn back to the projections for our Chicago location. I lose myself in the rhythm of spreadsheets and strategic plans, the familiar dance of business decisions that has always come so naturally to me.

My phone buzzes with a text from Tess:Morning. How's your day looking? Still on for dinner tonight?

I stare at the message, guilt grabbing a hold of me. I've seen her only once since the twins revelation—a rushed dinner where I spent half the time on my phone dealing with a supplier crisis. She was understanding, but the disappointment in her eyes hasn't left my memory.

I type back:Slammed. Might need to raincheck. Will let you know by 5.

I set the phone face down, pushing away the image of her reading my message alone in her kitchen.

Sanjay enters after knocking, his usual hurricane of energy despite the early hour. "Good morning. What do we have going on this morning?" He drops into a chair across from me, carefully pushing aside a stack of reports to set down his coffee.

I don't look up from my screen. "Did you review the contractor bids for Chicago?"

"Yes, and I drafted the responses like you asked. Also finalized the hiring plan for the managerial staff." He leans forward. "What else do you need done?"

My answer is cut short by Angela's voice on the intercom. "Mr. Astor, your sister is on line one. She says it's important and she tried you on your cell but you didn’t pick up."

I frown. Jane rarely calls me at work. "I should take this."

Sanjay stands. "I'll get the conference room ready for the real estate team.”

After he leaves I take a deep breath and pick up the phone. "Jane, what's up?"

"Well, good morning to you too, big brother." Jane's voice carries its usual warmth tinged with sisterly sarcasm. "I know you're busy running your coffee empire, but I thought I'd check in."