Chapter 10
10
ADRIAN
I decide to keep it simple.
Adrian
Hey, this is Adrian
I send the text and stretch an arm behind my head, my back sinking comfortably into the propped-up pillows.
Rowena
Hey?
The quick response pops up. It’s nothing exceptional, but it gives me a thrill, anyway. I wonder what she’s doing still up. Hopefully the nausea isn’t keeping her awake.
Adrian
How are you feeling? Was the ride home okay?
I wait, tapping my fingers against the back of the phone, wondering if I’m sounding too keen.
Rowena
More than okay, you know how to travel in style
I chuckle, relieved she’s taking things light-heartedly.
Adrian
*Cool emoji*
You left your box in my car
On purpose, Sam said?
There’s a pause, and I flip the phone in my hand, anxious.
Rowena
I bumped into my roommate outside my building and panicked
My screen lights up again before I can respond.
Rowena
I needed a minute before having the whole “I’m pregnant I got fired” chit chat
Did you look into my box?
Guilt ripples down my spine.
Adrian
I did
Rowena
What’s your take from snooping around in my stuff?
I could play it cool and pretend I have paid little attention. But instead, I type a genuine answer.
Adrian
You’re a secret romantic who believes in fairy tales, you love books—but not self-help ones. You have a great sense of humor, and your best friends mean the world to you. You’re a Swiftie. You can keep a plant alive.
My fingers hover over the little blue arrow, uncertainly. But then I hit send with a bit of a “fuck it” attitude. No point in holding back.
Rowena
*Shocked emoji*
You got all that from my box of office crap?
Adrian
Yep
Rowena
I can see why you’re good at your job
A few seconds pass, but her typing bubbles keep moving until another message flies in.
Rowena
But how did you guess the bit about self-help books? (Spot on, BTW)
Adrian
Fortune cookies are chock-full of motivational quotes, but you didn’t keep a single one
Rowena
I’m impressed
Adrian
Are the women in the photo your roommates?
Rowena
Yep, on the night we met
Adrian
Did you tell them… everything?
A nervous tension simmers in my gut. The input of her friends will be important in what she does.
Rowena
Yes, they were very supportive. A little shocked
Adrian
Did you also talk about me?
I’m curious, maybe too keen for her answer. I toss an extra pillow behind my head.
Rowena
Extensively
We also googled you—great job on the SEO
My heart gives an intrigued kick. I press for more details, unable to stop myself.
Adrian
Oh? Verdict?
Rowena
Great bone structure—possibly ruthless?
I grin amused by her teasing about my looks, but I’m not sure if I should worry about the ruthless part.
Adrian
Where did the ruthless part come from? I don’t believe it’s in my bio
Rowena
My best friend’s brother and boyfriend both work in finance. Apparently, you have a reputation
My smile fades a bit. The finance world is small, after all. And I do have a reputation—not to mess with me—that I’ve spent years building. I’m respected and, yeah, also feared by some.
Adrian
Taylor Swift has a Big Reputation, too
Rowena
Don’t try to distract me with—admittedly good—Taylor Swift puns
So, are you? Ruthless?
Adrian
I go after what I want. I have no problem admitting that
I send the message with a firm nod, owning up to my nature.
Rowena
And now you want a pregnant fiancée
I rub the back of my neck, unsure how to reply. Pretend I’m not after something? No, because I am. My future is in her hands. I decide total transparency is the best way ahead.
Adrian
I honestly didn’t write to pressure you
I just wanted to check on you
But, yeah, I want you to be my fiancée for all the wrong reasons
It’s not romantic, and probably not what you might’ve dreamed for yourself
But if you’re going to say no, I’d rather know
The sooner I come clean with my boss the better
I send the flurry of texts, each one making my chest tighten, then wait.
Rowena
I don’t know what to do
Adrian
Is there anything I can do to make the decision easier?
I want to help, to smooth things out for her.
Rowena
Actually, yes
Can we meet on Saturday, talk some more?
Relief washes over me. She didn’t say no.
Adrian
Yeah, sure. I can show you my apartment
I grimace at how that might come across, immediately regretting the phrasing.
Adrian
I’m sorry that totally sounded serial killer of me
And now I’ve made it worse.
Adrian
I promise I’m not a serial killer
I add quickly, hoping to inject some humor back into the conversation.
Rowena
That’s exactly what a serial killer would say
I chuckle, relieved she’s still joking.
Adrian
We can meet in a public space if that’s more comfortable
I just thought you might want to see where I live
Also, where you’d live
Your plant misses you
Rowena
Talk to her every morning and she’ll be fine
Coffee sounds great
*fingers-crossed emoji* I’ll be able to keep it down
Adrian
Is the nausea still bad?
Rowena
Better than this afternoon
My roommates made me ginger tea
Adrian
Glad to hear
I’ll have Sam pick you up at ten
Does the time work for you?
Rowena
Ten is perfect
See you Saturday
Adrian
Goodnight
I want to say more, but I wouldn’t know what to add, so I leave it at that.
It’s a while before another message from her comes in. Was she thinking, too, of something else to add?
Rowena
Night
Adrian
PS. If you have questions before Saturday, text me whenever
I set the phone down and I’ve just switched off the night lamp when another string of texts arrives.
Rowena
Off the top of my head, in no particular order
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Is double dipping at a party ever acceptable?
What’s your take on socks with sandals?
How many times is it okay to hit the snooze button?
If I steal a fry from your plate, will it start a war?
Related, do you share dessert?
How competitive are you at board games?
What’s your weirdest habit that I should prepare for?
Are you a dog person, cat person, or the kind who watches animal videos and wishes?
I’m the latter in case it wasn’t clear
I stare at the barrage of questions and a rush of adrenaline cures my exhaustion as I begin to type back.