Chapter 291
“I got you a lawyer. He’ll be in touch before the end of today,” Lilly says on the other end of the line.
“There’s no need p>
“What do you mean there’s no need?” she demands. “We absolutely need a lawyer p>
I wedge the phone between my shoulder and ear while wrestling with my flats.
“I already have one,” I say, finally slipping my foot in.
“What do you mean you already have one?” she asks suspiciously. “And why do you sound like you just ran a marathon p>
“Because I was putting my shoes on, and it’s a whole battle,” I reply dryly. “As for the lawyer, Adrian already arranged one. He said she’s one of the best in the city p>
The lawyer he set me up with called yesterday. She promised we’ll handle this and that she’d make sure we are going to win.
“Adrian got you a lawyer p>
“That’s literally what I just said p>
A small pause before she continues.
“First of all, you’re giving me the lawyer’s number,” Lilly says firmly. “I need to confirm her identity. I want you to have the best. And second… I’m liking Adrian more and more p>
A car honks outside.
I lift my head. “Adrian’s here. I have to go p>
“Okay, babe. Take care and send me that number p>
“I will p>
I hang up, grab my bag, and head out of my room.
Adrian had told me to get ready and that he’d come by to pick me up. He didn’t tell me anything except to wear something casual. Preferable leggings.
I step outside, locking the door behind me and freeze, when I turn. Adrian is standing beside a black, brand-new Cadillac Escalade and not just any Escalade. It’s the V-series.
I know it’s the V-series because Uncle Gabe drives the exact same one.
“You bought a new car?” I ask as I walk toward him, leaning up to press a quick kiss to his lips.
“Yeah,” he replies casually.
I step back, eyeing the gleaming machine. “Why p>
His hand slides gently to the back of my neck, warm and steady, guiding me to face him.
“Because I needed something safer for you and the baby. Because I want you to be comfortable whenever I pick you up,” he says softly, holding my gaze like there’s nowhere else he’d rather look. “And besides… a baby car seat can’t exactly fit in a sports car p>
Time stops. Literally stops.
The world narrows to just him. My breath catches in my throat and my chest tightens, but not painfully. It’s the kind of tight that comes when your soul lights up.
He said a baby car seat so naturally like he’s already factored us into his future.
How am I not supposed to fall in love with him? How am I supposed to protect my heart when he keeps doing things like this? When he puts me and my baby first without hesitation? The child isn’t his, yet he talks about him like he already belongs.
I don’t trust my voice. Words feel too small for what’s happening inside me so instead, I kiss him. I kiss him like I’m starving and he’s the only thing that can satisfy the hunger I didn’t even know I had.
His hand tightens slightly at my waist, steadying me, grounding me.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, “Starving” by Grey and Hailee Steinfeld loops over and over, and I almost laugh at how accurate it feels.
When we finally pull apart, my forehead rests against his.
“You keep surprising me,” I whisper. “Over and over again p>
His thumb brushes lightly along my jaw.
“You deserve happiness,” he says, voice low but certain. “And I plan to give you exactly that p>
My heart does something dangerous at that.
“Now,” he adds with a crooked smile, “Let’s go before I say ‘fuck it’ and decide to stay home with you p>
A soft laugh escapes me.
“Tempting,” I murmur.
He grins, opens the passenger door, and helps me in like a gentleman who absolutely knows the effect he has on me.
Adrian doesn’t tell me where we’re going. He just drives.
The city slowly thins behind us, concrete giving way to long stretches of green and quiet residential roads lined with jacaranda trees.
When he finally turns down a narrow gravel driveway, I frown.
Tall trees arch overhead, their branches weaving together like a canopy. Sunlight filters through the leaves in fractured gold patterns across the windshield.