Chapter 326
I’m seated across from Elena in a small ice cream shop.
Funny enough, we were both craving ice cream, and since her fiancé wasn’t picking her up today, we decided to come here together after class.
Adrian had offered to come get me, but I couldn’t let him put work aside, especially knowing he had already come straight to my place last night right after dropping his luggage at his apartment.
“So, what do you do?” I ask after setting my spoon down.
This is the first time Elena and I have actually sat down long enough to talk. Every other time we’ve spoken, it was just brief conversations after our yoga classes.
It feels a little strange being here with her like this. A little awkward too, if I’m being honest but that’s mostly because we’re both awkward as hell.
“I used to be a secretary,” she answers after swallowing a spoonful of ice cream. “But I quit my job when I found out I was pregnant p>
“Why?” I ask curiously.
She shrugs. “My fiancé and I agreed it would be better if I stayed home and focused on the baby p>
I nod slowly, though there really isn’t much to say to that.
I’ve never actually seen her fiancé before. Whenever he picks her up, he stays inside the car and never gets out but judging by the sleek, new-model Mercedes-Benz he drives, it’s safe to say money isn’t something he’s lacking.
“I guess that makes sense,” I say after a moment, picking up my spoon again.
Elena nods, but there’s something thoughtful in her expression, like she’s quietly measuring my reaction.
“What about you?” she asks.
I shrug lightly. “I’m a biologist p>
“That sounds… demanding,” she jokes, making me laugh.
“It can be,” I reply, “but I love it so much that I can’t imagine doing anything else p>
“It does sound interesting, though I don’t think I’d have the patience for it,” she says thoughtfully. “Are you planning to work until the baby comes?” she asks with a small smile.
“Right now, things are… a little complicated,” I answer. “So it looks like I’ll be taking a break p>
To be honest, I haven’t really thought about whether I should ask for my job back now that Jocelyn is out of the picture, but taking a break sounds like a good idea, especially considering I’m eight months pregnant.
We fall into a short silence, both of us focusing on our ice cream again. The awkwardness is still there, but it’s softer now, less stiff than when we first sat down.
A text message pings on my phone, and I grab it to check.
[I’m at your house. Where are you p>
Seeing it’s from Lilly, I reply immediately.
[Meeting with someone. I’ll be home soon p>
[Okay p>
I look up to find Elena watching me. Not just looking but watching me. Like she’s studying me.
Her gaze is sharp, almost scrutinizing, and for a second I catch something in her eyes before it disappears.
The intensity surprises me, but I quickly brush it off as simple curiosity.
“So, the man who drops you off and picks you up…” she asks slowly, “is he your husband p>
“We’re not there yet,” I reply.
She stays silent for a moment before saying, “You’re heading there though… anyone can see that he adores you p>
That catches me off guard. I didn’t expect someone else to notice Adrian’s affection for me.
A small smile spreads across my lips. “I hope so p>
And I really mean it. Adrian is an amazing man, and I’d be a fool to let him go.
After that, Elena and I make small talk while finishing our ice creams. When we’re done, we exchange numbers and say our goodbyes before I grab an Uber back home.
I open the door feeling refreshed and tired at the same time. It’s a strange contrast I don’t really understand because it makes absolutely no sense.