With something closer to awe.
This was really happening.
Aderrawas about to become official.
And she was…okay. No, more than okay. She was glowing. She could feel it even if she hadn’t dared look at herself in the mirror since this morning.
The door opened.
Sabine turned, and Harlan walked in, blazer slung over one shoulder like he’d just finished charming a room full of donors. His smile, relaxed and wide, spread the moment their eyes met.
“Well damn, boss lady,” he said, stepping closer. “You setting the whole stage like Beyoncé herself about to walk in?”
She grinned despite herself. “This is my Beyoncé moment.”
“It should be. You did this.” He gestured around the room. “This is you.”
“It’s a team effort.” Sabine shrugged, but her smile didn’t dim.
“Sure,” Harlan said, moving to the seat across from her and sitting casually. “Save all that humble bullshit for the team, butIknow who the captain is.”
She gave him a look—half amusement, half warning—but he just chuckled, eyes warm as he studied her face.
“You’re glowing,” he said after a pause. “Like, seriously. You look happy as hell. Did y’all finally get that investor off your back or did lil man actually eat a full vegetable last night?”
Sabine let out a real laugh. “He ate half a carrot stick and demanded a popsicle as reward. So, close…but…I’m…I’m pregnant.”
Harlan’s gaze softened the moment the words left her mouth. It took half a second. Maybe less. That trademark smirk fell into something more reverent. The air in the room shifted, not with tension but tenderness. He stood slowly, eyes never leaving hers as he stepped around the table and pulled her into a gentle embrace.
“Congratulations. Damn…” Then he leaned back just slightly and kissed her forehead like he’d done a hundred times before—after big wins, long nights, and impossible calls but this time it felt…different. Bigger. Like even he knew it was a moment he wouldn’t get back. He pulled away just enough to glance down, doing the thing most people did after finding out a woman was with child, staring at her stomach like it might grow before his eyes.
“There’s nothing to see…” Sabine laughed.
“Yet,” he grinned, eyes twinkling with something protective. “I’m happy for you, big Bine.”
“Thank you,” she rolled her eyes at the nickname, cheeks flushing. And for a moment, they just stood there, two people who had built something together, even if it wasn’tthis. Even if it never would be. It was a moment of peace and light.
Harlan could’ve been something more. Maybe in another life. Maybe if her heart hadn’t been so tangled in someone else’s timeline but she knew now, it wasn’t regret she felt. Just gratitude.
For the way he showed up. For the softness he offered when she needed it most and for the fact that he let her go with grace. She was still a little scared. Still a little uncertain. Still bracing for grief.
But she was also…full.
Not just with new life.
But with possibility.
Hope.
Harlan looked at her a beat longer, his eyes trailing over her like he was committing her to memory. Tracing her image in his mind because he felt after this, their friendship would be done.
Then, with that classic lazy grin that always gave him away, he added, “That nigga lucky he got his shit together or that would've beenmeandyougrowing in there.”
“Harlan!” Sabine’s head dropped instantly as a laugh burst from her mouth, equal parts shock and bashfulness.
“I’m just saying,” he shrugged with both hands raised in mock surrender. “Don’t act like we didn’t have chemistry. You was just emotionally unavailable and your heart too loyal.”
“You’re ridiculous.”