“Bring me my ring”
“Done.”
He ends the call.
I pocket my phone, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. Everything is falling into place. The garland, the ring, the proposal...
I step out of the office just in time to hear the soft click of Vasilisa’s heels in the hallway.
She peers around the corner, suspicion and love all wrapped up in that gorgeous face of hers. “You weren’t…plottinganything, were you?”
I feign innocence. “Just checking a few work things.”
She narrows her eyes. “Workthings that involve you muttering‘garland’under your breath?”
I close the distance between us and cup her face. “You’re imagining things.”
“I’m not. I heard you.”
I kiss her, slow and sweet. “You should rest.”
“I’m pregnant, not fragile.”
“I know. But you’re still mine. And I take care of what’s mine.”
Her cheeks flush at that, pride and affection warring in her eyes. She doesn’t argue. Just leans in and whispers, “It better be the good garland. I paidextrafor the velvet ribbon.”
I nod solemnly. “I know, I saw it on my credit card statement.”
She chuckles as she heads to the kitchen and my heart drops when I remember what I’ve done.
I go to follow her when I hear her frustrated little growl.
“Santo Dante Amato!”
I sigh as she fights with the refrigerator and it’s newly installed child lock.
“Dea,”I say, moving towards her. “It’s for safety.”
“The baby isn’t even born yet!” She yanks at the refrigerator door again. “I’m hungry now, and I can’t even access my own food!”
I reach around her, my chest pressing against her back as I easily disengage the lock with a simple twist. “It takes practice,” I murmur into her hair.
She huffs, spinning to face me. “You installed child locks everywhere, didn’t you?”
“Not everywhere.” I try to keep my expression neutral.
“Where else?” Her eyes narrow dangerously.
“Just... a few strategic locations.” I shrug, attempting casual. “The cleaning cabinet. Medicine cabinet. Pantry with the step stool—”
“That’s where I keep my snacks!”
”—and the windows.”
She throws her hands up. “Thewindows?!Santo, I’m barely six weeks pregnant! The baby won’t be mobile for atleasta year!”
I take her hands in mine, kissing each of her knuckles. “Better to be prepared early. Get used to the systems.”
