Ava’s first public event as Mrs. Cole was a charity gala.

She wore a borrowed silver gown and stood beside Adrian under hundreds of camera flashes. Every reporter wanted to know how they met, when they fell in love, and whether they planned to have children.

Adrian’s hand rested lightly against her back.

“We met through work,” he answered.

Ava smiled for the cameras. “He was impossible.”

The reporters laughed.

Adrian leaned closer, his voice low. “That part was not in the script.”

“Neither was the question about children.”

His hand tightened slightly.

For the rest of the night, he never let go.