Chapter 12
Adam sent me a dress a few days ago with a note: Wearing this would be the perfect birthday gift. I’m sure his stylist, Nikola, picked it out. It’s amazing. A fitted, one-shoulder emerald gown with a high front slit.
Since it’s his birthday and he’s done so much for me, besides knowing how happy it will make him, I move our unique combination of promise and engagement ring onto my left ring finger. He’s putting in the work. He’s trying to be better, and I love that.
The rush to have children and wife me up, I’m not ready for that.
When I have kids, I want to be excited about it.
I want to plan for it. And I want to make something of myself professionally before that step.
If he could stop talking about it and let things unfold naturally, I might go back to him.
The thought of returning this ring is like mourning the life I always dreamed of having.
I’m not ready to grieve. Not yet, anyway.
Arriving at Adam’s Lincoln Park mansion always brings a smile to my face—it’s gorgeous. My PIN code is still active. It’s such a fucking joke for me to say that I’m single.
Inside, I find Allison and the party planner discussing details in the entryway. “Hey! Need anything?”
“Dani, you look stunning!”
The party planner reaches out a hand, and I give her my coat.
“Thank you.” I smile.
“Could you check in on Adam?” Allison asks. “We haven’t seen him in a while.” I nod and make my way up to his suite.
After a light knock, I step in to see tuxedos laid out on the bed where we spent countless nights together. I have not been in this room since before we broke up.
Adam, shirtless in joggers, is on the phone. I didn’t know he spoke another language, nonetheless Mandarin. I let out a soft laugh—he never ceases to surprise me. But then another thought hits me. There’s still so much I don’t know about him.
I can’t help but eye fuck him, though. Adam will always be one sexy-ass man. By the glistening on his lean body, he probably just worked out and still needs to shower.
He looks approving at my ensemble and bites his lower lip.
I walk over to the options on his bed, tapping at my favorite tuxedo.
He nods, stalking over to me. Placing a welcoming kiss on my lips, he holds my face as he continues speaking into the phone.
It’s moments like this that make me think that I could do it. I could be his wife.
“Pea—” He pauses, then smiles. “Dani,” he amends, hanging up the phone. “Best birthday present ever,” he says, slowly, twirling me around. “You look incredible.”
My heart warms, and I pull his face down for another kiss. “You need to shower,” I whisper in his ear, noting his post-workout smell.
“Too bad you won’t join me.”
I roll my eyes and tap my finger on an imaginary wristwatch. Adam shuts the bathroom door, and I pace around his room, being nosy. I find a Cartier gift box in his drawer and immediately feel guilty, assuming it’s another present for me.