ADRIAN

I waited outside my office for what felt like forever, pacing back and forth. My nerves were on edge—I couldn’t bring myself to go inside until my mom gave the all-clear. Eventually, she finally emerged, her expression warm but slightly amused.

“Hey, son. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?” she asked, though the glint in her eye told me she knew she’d had me standing here for nearly an hour.

“You did keep me waiting, Mom. And in my office. My own office,” I grumbled, sounding like a kid but not really caring. After all, it was my office, and she’d practically hijacked it.

“Sorry about that, darling,” she said, reaching over to tug playfully at my cheek like I was still her squishy little boy.

“Mom, c’mon!” I whined, pulling away. “I’m not a baby anymore. Stop doing that.”

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby,” she said with a mischievous look. I rolled my eyes and ignored her.

“So, what could you have possibly been discussing with Brianna for nearly an hour?” I raised a brow, genuinely curious now. “You guys had me standing out here like a lost puppy.”

She shrugged, her smile sly. “Oh, just something Brianna will tell you about when she’s ready.”

“Oh, really?” I pressed, narrowing my eyes. “Why can’t you just tell me now? You’re really going to leave me hanging?”

“You’ll find out soon enough—from Brianna, of course,” she replied, patting me on the shoulder.

“Fine, keep your secrets,” I huffed, crossing my arms.

“Oh, and I left lunch for you on your desk,” she added casually, as though she hadn’t just been plotting something with Brianna for an hour. “I didn’t realize you’d have company, or I’d have packed more. But you two can share—it’s more than enough.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I sighed. “But you don’t have to keep doing this. I’ve been out of the house for years now. I can grab something from the cafeteria or order takeout.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please. Cafeteria food? Takeout? Who knows what goes into those meals? Homemade food is healthier, and you know it.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Alright, alright. Thanks for the lunch, Mom. And thanks for dropping by.”

I turned toward my office, but her voice rang out, teasing. “Get back to work, huh? Or back to making out with Brianna?”

“Mom!” I groaned, my cheeks heating. I didn’t even bother turning around to face her embarrassment. I heard her laugh and her footsteps finally fading away.

Once I opened the door, I found Brianna sitting on the couch, looking lost in thought. She was staring into space, her fingers fidgeting—something I’d noticed she did whenever she felt nervous.

“Brianna,” I called softly. She didn’t seem to hear me.

“Brianna!” I said a bit louder, and her gaze snapped to mine.

“Oh, hey,” she said, blinking as if she’d been jolted from a dream. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Yeah, I noticed. You seemed like you were miles away.” I walked over and sat beside her on the couch. “What’s up?”

“Nothing much,” she answered, trying to brush it off.

“Come on, Brianna. Is this about whatever my mom talked to you about?”

She hesitated, her fingers twisting together again. “Yeah… something like that.”

“Is it something bad?” I asked, lowering my voice. “Did she say anything that upset you?”

She shook her head. “No, no. She didn’t insult me or anything. Actually, it would almost be easier if she had. She… she asked me to do something, but it’s a tough task, and I’m not sure I can pull it off.”

Now I was even more curious. I’d never seen Brianna so flustered. The confident, unshakable Brianna I knew wasn’t one to get nervous over just anything.

“What could she have possibly asked you to do?” I teased, trying to ease her nerves. “Did she ask you to, I don’t know, bring me her son’s head on a silver platter?”

She burst into laughter, and it was a beautiful sound that filled the room, loosening the tension. “Oh, please, Adrian. Why would your mom ever want to do that?”

I shrugged, grinning. “Who knows? I’m a handful sometimes.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she giggled.

“Yep, I know,” I replied smugly, leaning back with a self-satisfied grin.

She rolled her eyes, giving me a playful shove. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“Yeah, I know that too.”

“Ugh, you’re insufferable!” she huffed, crossing her arms.

I raised my hands in mock surrender, chuckling. “Alright, alright. I won’t argue.”

“Good.” She gave me a mock glare before relaxing again.

“So, seriously,” I said, lowering my voice as the laughter died down. “What did my mom tell you?”

Brianna shifted uncomfortably. “She… she wanted to talk to me about…” she began, but a knock on the door interrupted her.

I groaned, glancing toward the door. “Who is it?” I called out.

The door opened, and a man stepped in, holding a clipboard. “Mr. Adrian, we’re here to deliver the desk and chair you requested.”

“Oh, perfect. Just set it up over there,” I directed, gesturing toward a corner of the room. The man nodded, and his crew filed in, getting to work on the setup.

I moved to stand beside Brianna as she watched the men work, still lost in thought.

“So, you were saying?” I prompted gently, not wanting to lose the moment.

She looked up, seeming almost as if she’d forgotten what she was about to say. “Oh… right.” She gave a nervous laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“So?” I raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly to encourage her.

“Alright… Well, your mom told me that she’s been trying to get you to come over for dinner,” she began, her words spilling out in a rush. “She said you keep turning her down, and she asked me to… well, to convince you to come. She seems to think that since we’re close, I might be able to get through to you.”

I blinked, her words sinking in. My expression shifted, the lighthearted banter from earlier fading as I thought about what she’d just said.