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Just then, Adrian’s phone rings, shattering the calm. As soon as Leo’s name pops up on Adrian’s CarPlay screen, he sighs.
“Yeah, Leo. What’s up?” he answers.
“Why wasn’t I invited to the meeting? Kate had to fill me in.” Even over Bluetooth, Leo’s irritation is obvious.
Adrian’s eyes sweep over to me, then back to the street ahead. “Leo, it was strategic, alright?” His words are clipped, his jaw working overtime. “We needed a financial shark in there, not another suit.”
I’m squirming in the passenger seat, trying to shrink into my coat. Is this what betrayal feels like? Because I’ve never been a fan of office politics, but I seem to have landed smack in the middle of them anyway. I should feel guilty, probably, except I’m too busy being impressed with myself for how well the meeting went.
“I swear, it’s nothing personal, Leo,” Adrian replies, his jaw tight. “It made sense for me to handle this one solo. Fewer lines of communication.”
“It never is, is it?” Leo shoots back, skepticism clear even through the speaker. “But next time, I want in.”
“Understood. We’ll keep you in the loop.”
The call ends with a click and Adrian lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. It’s a rare glimpse behind the curtain—Adrian Cole, untouchable CEO, ruffled by his own partner.
“Sorry you had to hear that,” he mutters, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
“Leo always that charming?” I ask, unable to resist poking the bear.
“Since my dad passed, yeah. He’s got this idea we’re co-captains of this ship.” Adrian’s gaze flicks to me, humorless. “But Dad left the firm to me. Leo was supposed to be support, not competition.”
“Sounds complicated,” I say, because what else is there to say?
“Complicated doesn’t begin to cover it,” he admits. “He worked as my father’s partner, but he and I clash far too much.”
There’s a silence then, stretching out until it’s nearly tangible. I can feel the shift in him, a deliberate lightening of the atmosphere as he glances at me again, that signature smirk playing on his lips.
“Hey, want to come over tonight? Caleb’s on spring break, so my mom begged to have him over for a couple more days,” he says, dropping the offer casually, as if it’s no big deal. As if my heart isn’t doing an impromptu salsa in my chest.
“Can’t,” I reply, with a nonchalance I don’t feel. “Got a doctor’s appointment and Amelie’s playing chauffeur.”
“Ah,” he nods, accepting the decline with a grace that’s annoyingly attractive. “Is everything okay?”
“Just a check-up.”
He raises a brow. “But you need Amelie to go with you?”
Damn it. I said too much. I clear my throat. Very smooth, Isabella. “She’s getting a check-up too. We like to go together.”
Adrian nods, but I can tell by his expression that he’s still confused. “Another time then.”
“Another time,” I echo. Although, if I do tell him about the baby, will there be another time?
Only time will tell.
***
The sterile smell of the doctor’s office is a slap in the face to my nerves, which are already doing somersaults. I’m sitting on the crinkly paper that lines the examination table, pretending that I’m anywhere but here. Amelie’s hand finds mine, her grip reassuring.
“It’s going to be okay, Isabella. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“Isabella?” My doctor strides in with a smile that’s probably meant to be comforting. She glances at her clipboard and then at me. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant. Your estimated due date is September 10th.”
“Great,” I manage to say, though what I really mean is, “Oh god. How am I going to handle this?”
“Everything looks good based on your physical exam. We’ll schedule a follow-up. Here are some resources, per your request. Tons of info about classes we recommend, and doulas—”