“Alright, so what would you call it? Or do you prefer something more direct, like—”

Before he could finish, Alicia pressed her hand over his mouth. Caden, however, used the distraction to subtly raise his hand. Alicia clicked her tongue, grabbed his arm, and held it firmly.

“Can you behave for even a moment? You’re hopeless, like a lovesick puppy.”

Caden chuckled. “Only for you.”

She playfully swatted his hand away. “I went to the hospital today because my stomach was hurting.”

Caden’s smile vanished, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay now? Does it still hurt?”

Alicia offered a small smile. “If it did, do you think I’d let you be this close?”

He frowned. “Why did it hurt? Wait—are you pregnant?”

Alicia’s eyes widened. “Pregnant? No way.” “We’ve been careful, remember?” But a memory surfaced, making her heart skip a beat—the day they bought their rings, the unplanned moment. They'd agreed she'd take medication afterward, but Caden’s unexpected trip abroad meant she hadn't. Could it be? From just that one time?

She took a deep breath. “It’s nothing serious. I get cramps before my period, so I went to get some painkillers.”

Caden visibly relaxed. “Did you take the medicine?”

“Not yet,” Alicia admitted. “There were last-minute issues at the gallery, so I left without picking them up.” She chuckled, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh, by the way, I have something for you,” Alicia said, producing a small box from her bag. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”