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“Good,” he says, happy enough with my reply. Bill was the one who convinced me to give her a go. He’s a fan of her work. “I ran into her this morning. She mentioned a campaign featuring Adeline that she’s hoping will go ahead.” The way he says this alerts me to the fact he’s aware that I said no to it, and that this has aroused his suspicions.
Paulina and I will be having words about confidentiality.
I nod. “Yes, that was one of her suggestions.”
“You don’t sound convinced of it,” he says. Before I can reply, he glances at Adeline and asks, “What are your thoughts?”
Adeline knows nothing about this; however, she shows me why she was the woman I chose for this marriage when she says, “I think Jameson knows his business best. If he’s not convinced it’s the right idea, I’m not either.”
“It’s perfect for his business,” Bill says. “Paulina knows what she’s doing, Jameson. Don’t waste her skill by refusing to consider this.”
Adeline’s phone sounds with a text, which she checks and ignores.
“The idea is still on the table,” I say even though it’s not.
“Good,” Bill says. He drinks some more whiskey. “I have a new development you might be interested in. Lisa will send the details over tomorrow. You’ll have to move fast if you’re interested.”
Another text comes through for Adeline. This time, she checks the message and gives me an apologetic look. Standing, she says, “I’m sorry, I have to deal with this.”
I nod, but something in her expression catches my attention. Unease maybe. “Is everything okay?” She doesn’t look okay.
“It’s just Sabrina.”
I watch her as she exits the room and find myself wondering what’s going on with her sister to make Adeline look the way she just did.
Bill shares some information with me about the new development he thinks has merit while Adeline is gone. When she returns, I note that she still appears uneasy about something.
She settles in next to me again as Bill moves the conversation to the topic of babies. I’m not surprised about this. I’ve been waiting for it. Bill regrets not having children and has spoken with me about having a family many times.
“Have you two given much thought to having a family?” he asks.
“We’ve discussed it,” I say. We have. Adeline knows exactly what to say here.
“I’d like three children,” she says, going off script with that number. I advised her that he would believe me wanting one child, no more. “But honestly, Bill, I’ve got a lot more I’d like to achieve in my business before we go down that path.”
“You aren’t getting any younger,” he says.
“That is true,” she agrees. “But we still have plenty of time.”
“When are you thinking?” he asks.
“In a few years,” she says.
He frowns. “That may be cutting it close. Especially if you have trouble conceiving.”
“There will be plenty of time,” I say, steering the conversation back to where it should have gone. “Adeline may want three children, but I’d be happy with one.”
She places her hand on my leg as she looks up at me. “Darling, you know I really want three. Two, at least.”
My eyes search hers, trying to figure out where she’s going with this and why she’s not sticking to the plan. Her eyes tell me to go with it. Against my better judgment, I do. “I know, but I’ve always said that may be ambitious.”
She nods. “Yes, and I understand that you’re worried we won’t have the time to be there for three children, but I think we will. I think we’ll make the time because it’s so important to us to be that kind of parent.”
And there it is. Where she was leading me.
Adeline is a smart woman. It makes sense that we would disagree on this topic. Based on our different personalities, that’s far more believable, and Bill will buy it more than he’d buy us being on the same page. Then, bringing up that we both want to be very hands-on parents was perfect. If I did want children, that’s the kind of parent I’d want to be. And Bill would know that.
I pull her close and press a kiss to her lips before eyeing Bill. “We’re still figuring this out, but I want Adeline to have the time in her business that she needs before we even think about getting pregnant.”
