Chapter 272
I wake up happy and for a moment I don’t understand why my chest feels warm instead of heavy. Then it comes back to me: Adrian standing at my door last night. His honesty, his vulnerability, the way he looked at me like he was already in love, the way he asked me to be his girlfriend and the way he kissed me.
Remembering all of that, I can’t stop the smile that curves my lips. After days of feeling like something was wrong. Like I was losing something I never even got the chance to explore, I can finally breathe again.
Everything feels like it’s fallen into place
Nothing more happened between us. He stayed for a couple of hours. We talked. We cuddled on the couch, his arm wrapped around me, my head tucked against his shoulder.
I wanted more; lord knows I did, but I also liked that he didn’t push. He kissed me once more before he left, then said he had an early day and didn’t want to risk oversleeping, and when I went to sleep, I dreamt about him all night.
I get dressed for work with a little more care than usual. I hum as I pull on my shoes and even pause to look at myself in the mirror, hand resting over my belly.
“Today is going to be an amazing day,” I whisper to my reflection and to the tiny life inside me, smiling so wide.
The drive to work is filled with fantasies about a life with Adrian. Honestly, I feel like a teenage girl excited about her first boyfriend.
In high school, I never gave anyone else a chance. I was so deeply in love with Noah that I could barely see straight. In college, there were a few moments when I thought something might be starting but nothing ever solidified.
So yes, Adrian is technically my first real boyfriend. I’ve had casual hookups before, but never anything serious.
The moment I step into the building, the receptionist looks up
“Well, well, well… someone’s glowing today,” she says, smiling.
I laugh. “You’re exaggerating p>
“I’m not,” she insists. “You’re radiating today… You look really happy p>
“Well, something I’ve been dreaming of for ages finally came true p>
She raises an eyebrow. “Should I assume this has something to do with a man p>
I shrug, suddenly shy. “Maybe p>
She grins. “I just knew it… You have the glow of a woman who’s completely smitten p>
I laugh. I can’t and won’t deny it, because at this point, I’m sure that I’m more than smitten.
“This is good. I’m glad that you’re back to your joyful self… You’ve been a little moody the past few weeks p>
“What?” I gasp. “That is slander p>
She snorts. “You had a permanent scowl on your face, snapped at people over the smallest mistakes, and nearly bit Jocelyn’s head off last week. The others actually started avoiding you because you were unbearable to be around p>
I hadn’t realized I’d gotten that bad, but in my defense, I didn’t even notice I was projecting the storm inside me onto everyone else
I laugh despite myself. “Damn p>
“You can say that again,” the receptionist says. “Go check in before I decide to interrogate you further p>
I wave her off and head toward the lab, my steps light, my mind replaying Adrian’s smile.
“Morning,” I say, setting my bag down.
Everyone is already in when I arrive.
They glance up, then do a double take.
“Why are you smiling?” Rose asks, as if she can’t believe what she’s seeing.
“Yeah,” Carl adds, his eyes zeroing in on me. “Did you win the lottery p>
“I’m allowed to be in a good mood, you know,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Jocelyn snorts from her desk. “What mood? Just seeing you ruins my mood p>
No one bothers with her or even spares her a look. They dismiss her like she doesn’t exist.
“Well,” Benji begins. “No matter what it is, we are just happy to have you back to normal p>
“Yeah,” Carl adds, “for a second there, we thought you’d turned into someone we shall not name p>
His eyes flick briefly to Jocelyn and if I’m being honest, I’m more than a little offended that he’d even think to compare me to her
“Are you referring to me?” Jocelyn stops what she was doing and narrows her eyes at him.
Carl scoffs, “Why are you doubting yourself? Did I mention any names p>
“Why you p>
“Enough,” I cut her off. “Today is going to be peaceful, and I don’t want any drama so let’s just focus on what’s important p>