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“Everyone’s good. It’s just that—Gabby hasn’t been feeling too great lately.”
“Gabby, you’re sick?” I asked.
“Something like that,” she said with a smile in her tone.
“You sound way too happy about this…” Then the dots connected. “Dude! Gabby, are you like?—”
“It’s too early to tell,” she said, her voice exultant. “But I’m guessing the baby will be coming in July.”
I sank back in my chair and spun. “Honeymoon baby. Congrats, you two.”
This was a far cry from the lifelong bachelorhood Adrian and I had pledged ourselves to, but I couldn’t say that was a bad thing.
I never thought I’d think that.
Growing up amidst my parents’ emotional detachment, I witnessed their relationship unravel firsthand. Their fractured marriage was etched into my psyche, a stark reminder that marriage didn’t guarantee happiness or authentic connection.
I’d sworn to avoid it. I’d sworn to never marry, to never have kids so I didn’t put them through the same tragedy. But Adrian’s bliss—his love for Gabby—that was something I’d witnessed only once before.
With my sister and her husband.
I’d told Gemma she was crazy for getting married. She’d insisted her husband was a good guy, thathe’d never be like Dad. They’d been married for over ten years now and were still going strong.
I hadn’t wanted to let that fact hold any sway over me. Just because it worked for them didn’t mean it was the right thing for me.
Back in the day, Adrian had sworn off women, too. He wouldn’t have turned his back on his bachelorhood for a relationship that was doomed to fail.
Seeing his happiness made my longtime opinions shift the slightest bit. Having babies. Moving on. That was cool.
Gemma had tried convincing me of that fact before, too, but I’d never been able to believe her. Now, though? Now, my thoughts were turning in a different direction, one I wasn’t entirely sure how to handle.
Part of me wanted to let this whole pursuit of Ella alone, to hold to my bachelor ways. But there was something about her I hadn’t been able to ignore from the start. I wouldn’t be able to now.
“Thanks, man,” Adrian said. “Good luck with Ella.”
“Thanks for helping a brother out,” I said.
“Don’t you dare tell her I told you,” Gabby added.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I ended the call and glimpsed my computer screen. Deanna had followed through and sent the list of recipients after all.
I skimmed it over and then, sure enough, saw Ella’s name and email under the branch of Malus Custodial Management.
So she did work in my building. Just not for me. Thatexplained why she’d potentially be working on Christmas Day.
I was tempted to broach Stina about that as well, but her business wasn’t any of mine.
My thumbs flew across my phone’s screen. But just as quickly as I tapped out the questions for Ella, I erased them.
This was no time for truth or dare. I wasn’t playing a game, not anymore.
New thoughts crammed into my mind. Now that I knew more about Ella, I definitely couldn’t let it go. I tapped out a text to my assistant instead.
Me: What time does the custodial staff usually arrive to start their jobs?
Clary: At four a.m. Why do you ask?
