Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Relief washed over him. “That’s good.” It was early in her pregnancy, but he’d feel better knowing everything she was experiencing was normal and that she and the baby were okay. “When is the appointment?”
“Friday at eleven. But don’t worry. I know you’re probably busy after being away. Lauren said she’d go with me and I’ll let you know how it goes.” She spoke quickly, as if, by doing so, he’d just accept what she said.
As if he’d let her go with a friend to their first baby appointment. “What’s the doctor’s address?” he asked. “Or better yet, I’ll come pick you up and we can go together. Will you be at the office or are you going straight from home?”
“I… You want to come?”
“I’m not sure what there is about we’re in this together you didn’t understand.”
Silence greeted him and she let out a sigh. He hoped it was one of relief. “I’ll take the morning off. You can come to my apartment. It’s closer and easier for you.”
He smiled. “Great. I’ll be there at ten.”
“Okay. Umm, Knox?”
“What is it, beautiful?”
“Thank you.”
He closed his eyes and swallowed back any reaction. She didn’t need to thank him, nor should she assume he didn’t want to be there.
But she definitely needed more proof of his feelings than he’d given her in order for her to have faith in him. And ultimately, in them. He considered his options and decided what to do. After making a phone call and setting up an appointment for later this afternoon, he called Asher and asked him to come along. Although Knox knew Holly would have loved to be there, he wanted this to be kept a secret and decided not to tell his exuberant sister ahead of time. Knox loved Holly to death, but she’d been known to let things slip.
A couple of hours later, he and Asher were walking down Fifth Avenue.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Asher said, as they headed into Harry Winston’s, where he had an appointment.
Knox laughed. “Would you rather I left you out of it completely? Let your sister think you still don’t approve?”
Asher grumbled but he was here, and that’s all Knox cared about.
As they sat with a salesman, looking at rings, Knox shook his head. “None of these jump out at me.” They’d already discussed the four C’s, and the man knew what Knox was looking for, but the man didn’t know Jade.
“What do you think?” he asked Asher. “Your sister isn’t flashy but she deserves something special. Something with meaning.”
“Aah,” the salesman said, jumping up. “I have just the thing.” The salesman removed the tray in front of Knox and returned with a single ring on a velvet cushion. “A three-carat heart-shaped halo engagement ring surrounded by a bead setting of diamonds and a diamond platinum band.”
“This is it.” Knox loved it, and more importantly, he thought Jade would, too. “I could go bigger but she’s not someone who’d want to walk around with something huge on her finger.”
“Agreed,” Asher said. “That’s very Jade.”
“I’m glad you approve,” Knox said, unable to withhold a smirk. “I cannot wait until it’s your turn.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Asher muttered.
Knox shook his head. “I’ll take it.”
“Size?” the man asked.
“Six and a half,” he said.
At Asher’s raised eyebrows, Knox answered. “Lauren’s been shopping with her and she told me.” He turned to the salesman. “I’ll wait while you size it.”
“Of course, Mr. Sinclair.” The fact was, money talked, and when he walked out of the store, Knox had the ring in his pocket.
“Do you have a plan?” Asher shoved his hands into his pants pockets.
“Yep.” Grinning, Knox climbed into Asher’s car.
“Going to tell me?” Asher asked as he slid in behind him and his driver shut the door.
“Nope.” Knox laughed. He appreciated his friend’s help, but what happened next was between him and Jade.
Leaning back, he patted the box in his pocket. When he got home, he’d put the ring in his safe until he was ready for the big moment.
* * *
Jade walked out of her apartment at seven thirty Thursday morning. She smiled at the doorman and turned right, deciding to walk for a few blocks before hailing a cab for her eight-thirty a.m. appointment with a therapist in Midtown. Jade had gotten a referral from Aurora’s psychologist because Jade’s doctor only handled medication and light conversation. After her talk with her family, Jade needed more than that.
It would feel good to unburden herself to an unbiased third party. The suppressed anger she held on to about her birth parent and her feelings about becoming a mother weren’t healthy. Serenity had a point. These emotions should have been handled earlier. Even Jade’s therapy for anxiety hadn’t delved that deep.
She glanced up at the blue sky and drew in a breath of morning air, her nerves about the appointment bubbling up. This new psychologist was normally booked, but she’d had a cancellation and been able to fit Jade in this morning. After they met and if they decided they were a good fit, the therapist would work out a more regular schedule.