Chapter 18
Beth
“I think this is our first real date,” I mused, peering at Adam over my menu.
“I think you’re right,” he said looking up.
“Funny, since we’ve been hitched for about five months.”
“We tend to do things backward,” he grinned.
As usual, my heart did a little flip at the sight of that smile. If I weren’t sitting down, I was sure my panties would have dropped too. I studied him through my lashes when he went back to reading his menu.
I really wished Adam would stop being so nice and attentive. He’d been that way since apologizing about that media hiccup two weeks ago. I’d gotten over my humiliation. I was forced to get over it by more pressing concerns―you know, like the one about his baby growing inside of me and him still having no idea. Surely, the guilt would kill me before I really began to show.
At three months, it looked like I’d put on a few pounds but by next month, I was sure everyone would figure it out. I had to find the perfect time to tell Adam before then. Smothering another sigh, I put my menu down.
“I’m ready to order when you are.”
I threw myself into our date, admiring the atmosphere of the restaurant. We were in a secluded part under dim lighting. The entire scene was romantic. If I wasn’t stewing in guilt, I would have enjoyed myself more.
The food was great, we chatted, we laughed, we indulged in good-natured teasing. That was what I liked about us. We knew each well enough and long enough to have material to tease each other for days. I was at ease when I wasn’t thinking about my secret. As it turned out, we were a good match. If only we hadn’t gotten together for non -romantic reasons. It was killing me that in a matter of months there would be nothing holding us together. Well, there would be a child but I had no idea if he’d want anything to do with that.
“You’re doing it again.” Adam’s eyes were fixed on me and he drummed his fingers on the table.
“What's that?”
“You zoned out. You do it a lot. Care to tell me what you’re thinking?”
How I wish I could just spit it out.
“Nothing important. I’m just a little tired.”
“I should get you home then.”
Home . His place had started to feel like home. I’d gotten attached to both Adam and his apartment and I’d have to let them go soon. The thought sent my mood into a downward spiral.
“That’s a good idea.”
He wore a slight frown but he nodded and signalled the waiter.
******
I felt like I’d ruined our night. One more thing for me to feel guilty about. It didn’t sit right with me that Adam was obviously concerned. I’d noticed the worried glances but he hadn’t asked what was wrong. He’d been trying hard lately and it was coming off like I wasn’t appreciative. After a long shower and beating myself up about being a coward, I garnered the courage to confront him. I marched up to his room with the intention of apologizing for bringing down the mood earlier and to come clean.
As I lifted a hand to knock, his door opened. Taking a step back, I looked around the hallway suspiciously.
“How did you know I was out here?”
He laughed. “I didn’t. I was actually coming to see you. It seems we’re on the same page.”
I spotted an envelope in his hand and my heart began to pound. Envelopes weren't a great sign for us. I remembered the evening he showed up at my door with one. I gulped. “W-what’s that?”
Had he found some way to legally end our arrangement before time? I knew he’d gone along with it to keep his hold as CEO of Throne Holdings but there was nothing that stated exactly how long we had to remain married. We’d agreed on a time on our own.
“A surprise.”
“After the first time you handed me an envelope, I don’t think I care for such surprises.”
A smile slowly stretched his mouth and I wanted to kiss him so badly. I wondered if I could kiss him one more time before dropping my news. After tonight, maybe we’d never kiss or make love again.
“Me neither. I have this fear of ominous envelopes now.” My nervous giggle mingled with his soft chuckle. “This is a good surprise, I promise.”
He stepped aside. “Get in here. I wasn’t planning on giving you this right now but you seemed down earlier. I thought this might cheer you up.”
I cautiously stepped in and accepted the envelope.
“That’s what I came to apologize for. I’m sorry I was such a downer. You put effort into our date and I hope I didn’t come off ungrateful.”
“You didn’t. Open it,” he nodded to the envelope.
I guess my big pregnancy news could wait another minute or two. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out two pieces of paper and unfolded them.
“What are these?”
“What belongs to you...and your sister. You’re father’s company and his house in your name. Everything else will come after. I figured these two were the most important.”
“B-but we haven’t...our time isn’t up yet.” I didn’t know how to feel just yet. Eyes flying to his, I asked, “Why are you giving me these? Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Of course, not,” he laughed.
Rubbing the nape of his neck, he cleared his throat lightly. I couldn’t believe my eyes when his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me if I told you so I decided to show you. I meant what I said. I care about you, Beth. Your father wanted to ensure you were alright after he passed. I want you to be okay just as much as he did.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet.” I was still confused and it must have shown on my face because Adam explained.
“My status at Thorne Holdings isn’t what’s important anymore. Your happiness is.”
My heart was galloping and skipping beats. “But now that I have what I want…”
“You’re free to walk away from our arrangement. I assume that’s why you’ve been down in the dumps, because you’re tied to me. I’m setting you free if that’s what you want,” he declared.
I stared at him. I had two options: take his gift and flee or woman up and tell him we’d never be free of each other with a child on the way. I didn’t want to be set free.
“I’m not a prisoner.” My lame attempt at a joke only made me grimace.
“You know what I mean.”
“Is that what you want? For me to walk away?” I held my breath. His answer would determine if I went through with telling him I was carrying his child or not. If he wanted to be set free, I’d walk away. He’d find out about the baby later, but at least I’d walk away with a shred of dignity...tonight.
“After my actions the past couple of weeks, do you really think that’s what I want?”
“I thought you were being nice out of guilt,” I shrugged.
There wasn't one trace of humor in his laugh.
“Come on, Beth, have you ever known me to be nice to anyone out of guilt?”
I shook my head, no.
“Then, clearly, everything I’ve done is to genuinely try to win you over.”
“Oh.”
He lifted a brow. “ Oh? That’s all you have to say?”
I glanced down at the envelope. “I’m wondering why you’d want to win me over.”
He crossed his arms across his chest and averted his gaze. “We work well together.”
I swallowed my disappointment and kept my expression schooled. A declaration of love sure would have made my night―it would have made my entire life. I would have professed my love and we’d march off into the sunset with our baby. Clearly, that wasn’t going to happen so I’d work with what I got.
“I see. So I’m free to walk but you’d still want to see our deal through?”
He rocked back on his heels.
“Yes.”
My eyes never left his face, hoping I’d see something on his expression that indicated he wanted to say more. There was something he wasn’t telling me, I could feel it. In true Adam fashion, he gave nothing away.
“We can do that then” I agreed. “I did say one year. Let’s work with that.” I waited, hoping he’d disagree with such a short time, but he just nodded.
It was better than nothing. After my anger about that tabloid picture wore off, I realized that I’d jumped the gun suggesting taking one year off of our deal. Now, my time with him was severely limited. I’d make the most of it, create memories I could keep for a lifetime.