His Ring Her Rules

"What are you now?"

Lexi, my best friend, dropped her burrito as if it had just offended her.

"I'm pregnant," I muttered as I prodded my own food. "With a whoops of capital."

We were at one of our favorite hidden Mexican restaurants, the kind that didn't judge you for crying into your tacos and served guacamole in plastic tubs. Excellent vibe for a crisis, to be honest.

Over the oily table, Lexi leaned. "Are you certain it belongs to Ethan Blackwood?"

I gave her a blink. "Lex, when was the last time I was enigmatic or even remotely cool enough to have more than one lover?"

Her lips were pursed. It's true. You essentially function as a human sticky note.

I sighed and put a tortilla chip in my mouth, saying, "Rude but accurate." "Look, since the Gala, I haven't seen him. It wasn't until the following day that I even knew his full name. And now I am expecting a man who believes my name is either "Champagne Disaster" or "Gala Girl."

Lexi didn't chuckle.

Instead, her eyes narrowed as if she were going to impart some Serious Wisdom, and she tilted her head.

"Grace."

Oh no. tone of seriousness. It's always risky.

"You must locate him."

I choked."Find him? What, like… hire a PI? Google Hot CEO One-Night Stand Who May or May Not Have a Secret Baby?"

Her voice was firm but gentle as she pointed out, "You know who he is." "You informed me. Blackwood, Ethan. billionaire. CEO. As if he were walking on oxygen.

I let out a groan. "Exactly. Guys like that don't use surprise visits to announce babies. They make restraining orders and prenuptial agreements.

Lexi took my hand as she reached across the table. Lexi never cried unless a dog died in a movie or I ran out of coffee filters, but now her eyes were serious and slightly misty.

"It is not necessary for you to inform him today. or tomorrow. But, Grace, that child will eventually want to know who their father is. Additionally, you must be prepared."

I chewed the inside of my cheek and turned away. It always appeared when you least expected it to. Guilt was a cunning little thing.

I muttered, "I don't even know how to contact him."

Bless her crazy spirit, Lexi grinned. "I'm glad you have me."

I blinked. "Hold on, what are you—"

Her fingers flying, she pulled out her phone. "Ethan Blackwood can be found anywhere. Oh my God, he was on a podcast about power-lunch etiquette, he has a verified Instagram account, and he is on the cover of Forbes.

My face was buried in my hands. "This timeline is the worst."

"You must speak with him," Lexi urged. "He deserves to know, at the very least."

What happens if he loses it? What if he has no interest in it?

Lexi gave a shrug. Then you leave knowing that you made an effort. However, you must at least give him a chance to behave honorably.

My heart pounded against my ribs as I reclined.

Look for Ethan Blackwood.

What might go wrong?

…

The fifth rule is to cancel all plans and brace yourself for chaos when your best friend asks you "what could go wrong."

because there was going to be chaos.

With a jawline that destroyed lives, and wore a six-foot-two fitted suit.