Chapter 026

Bethany leaned in closer with a sigh, looking at me warmly. “Well, don’t keep me waiting too long. I’ll be expecting good news soon!” she teased, before a man in a suit approached her and whispered something in her ear.

She gave us both a quick smile. “Duty calls, it seems. You two enjoy yourselves. But not too much fun, all right?” With a wink, she left.

Adrian looked over at me, still red in the face. “I’m so sorry about that. My mother’s… she gets like this when she’s had a bit too much to drink.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry. I actually like her.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, she’s only being nice to you because she wants a grandchild. Trust me, she can be… intense. She usually doesn’t warm up this fast.”

I smirked. “Well, at least she’s a little better than my stepmom, Vivian.”

That made him laugh, and the tension melted from his face. “You know, my parents were both strong-willed. When my father was alive, they’d argue constantly. He was strict, always about business.” Adrian paused, a