Along with bonding and spending time with each other, we’ve done some school shopping, and with the help of Baz, through Dan, I’ve picked out an elementary school for Ava. Though, I can tell Baz was pushing the idea of a private school for her, there was just no way I’d be able to afford that. And even though I know he’d throw his money around and pay for it, if I truly want to cut myself off from him, this is what I need to do. I can’t depend on him for everything.
Since signing the publishing contract, I’ve been sent the money from my advance with minimal instructions. At my earliest convenience, I am to write my story, finish it, perfect it, then send it over to someone on their team, so they can judge it. I’m not sure how much I like that idea, but for whatever reason, Baz thought it was a good idea, so I am trusting him.
Blind faith and all.
“Where are we going again?” Ava asks, cutting through my thoughts. I grab my purse and keys off the end table. My hands tremble as I work to control my nerves. During the first week here, Dan dropped off a car, saying it was a gift from Baz. It was a sleek Tesla that felt much too fancy for a person like me to be driving around.
I refused to take it, at first, which turned into an argument of sorts, with poor Dan and Matthew as the buffers. Even though my pride was demanding I turn it down, I knew, deep down, I couldn’t realistically survive and raise a child without a car.
So, I went out with Ava in tow and bought the cheapest car I could find. Sure, it was junky and stuck out like a sore thumb in this neighborhood. It was also removed from my driveway the very next morning, courtesy of Baz. There was a part of me that was so thrilled he was paying that much attention to us, but another part was annoyed that he was still inserting himself into my life, even when he cut me off.
Which leads us to now. We are heading to Baz’s penthouse in that brand-new Tesla, where he is going to officially pass off the ownership over to me, again. That isn’t why I am nervous. It is the mere idea of seeing him again that makes me feel like I’ve just stuck my finger into the socket of an electrical system. I know I won’t have to deal with him personally—it will either be Matthew or Dan—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible I won’t see him in passing while at the resort.
“We’re heading to my friend’s house to sign some paperwork.”
“Is it your boyfriend?” she asks innocently, prompting me to pause midstride. I glance down at her, completely caught off guard by the question. When did nine-year-olds learn about boyfriends?
“He was my boyfriend, yes, but not anymore. He’s…he’s a friend now.”
She shrugs, content with that answer, and heads toward the garage like she didn’t just trip me up. I shake my head. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the commentary of this girl. She’s an absolute joy to sit around with. I’ve learned a lot from her within the past week. About patience, about love, and about life. All the things you think I would’ve figured out by now, but instead, a nine-year-old child is the one teaching it to me.
When I pull the Tesla up to the valet section of the resort, Ava lets out a gasp. I glance back at her in the rearview mirror, only to find her eyes are glued to the looming structure of the resort.
“And I thought our house was nice,” she whispers, truly awed that someone would get to live here. It looks like a luxurious compound from the outside, so I get it.
I laugh. “Well, this is actually his business. He owns this place, and he lives on the top floor.”
“That’s so cool.”
I smirk as I get out of the car, heading around to her side to let her out. Just as I take her hand, I hear Dan call out to us from the entrance. His eyes soften as he takes in Ava and me. I’ve come to recognize that look as a fondness. Being the buffer between Baz and me, he’s around more often now than he was while I was staying here at the penthouse. Hell, he even stays for dinner sometimes. It helps, having someone tell me that I’m doing a good job, even when it feels like I’m in over my head.
“How are my favorite girls?”
I smile, glancing down at Ava who’s wearing a huge grin. “We’re good. Are we signing papers inside?”
He pauses, wariness flitting across his face. “Actually, there’s been a change of plans. Mr. King’s business meeting was moved, so he’ll be going over the paperwork with you today.”
My heart seizes in my chest, and my breath leaves me in a whoosh of air. Like a blow to the gut, the air is completely knocked out of me. He must see the panic on my face because he sighs.
“He’s waiting for you in the penthouse. If you need me to go up there with you, I will,” Dan reassures.
I shake my head, clearing the nervousness from my throat. “No. No, I think we’re okay. Thank you, Dan.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Wright.”
I smile, softening at his remorse. “Don’t be. And please, stop calling me that.”
The entire ride up the elevator to the penthouse level, I’m shifting on my feet, and Ava notices. “Are you nervous?”
I jerk, my gaze shooting down. “What? No, what makes you say that?”
She lifts a brow in a comical gesture. “You keep moving, and your hand is sweating a lot.”
My face reddens. “Okay, yes. I’m a little nervous. But this is fine. We’re going to be fine. Just signing some papers, then we’ll be out of there.”
She’s still eyeing me like I’m insane, and hell, maybe I am.
My anxiety shoots through the roof when the elevator dings, announcing we’re on the top floor. Squeezing Ava’s hand for strength, I guide the way through the hall that I’ve walked through countless times before. It feels strange being here, but at the same time, it feels right. And that’s precisely the problem. It shouldn’t feel right anymore.
I raise my fist, knocking on the penthouse door. My heart is thundering in my chest, and my breathing is so irregular that I have to internally coach myself on how to inhale and exhale like a normal person. When the door opens, my mouth goes dry. I press my tongue into the roof of my mouth, at a complete loss for words.
There stands Baz, in all his handsome glory. He looks just as big and as formidable as ever, dark, unruly hair hanging in his face, and bright eyes, that feel like they can see into my soul, pin me to my spot. Dressed in an impeccable three-piece suit that does nothing to disguise his incredibly built body beneath, he looks like a million bucks.
My heart twinges when our eyes lock. I feel some internal part of me latch onto him with fists of forever, determined to never let go. I feel like our souls are shaking hands and kissing hello, reacquainting themselves, while we don’t utter a single word. His gaze searches my eyes, scanning my face and taking every part of me in. I want to hide under the weight of his scrutiny, but I stand strong.
“Hi.”
His brows jump at the sound of the voice, and he glances down, just now realizing who’s with me. The corner of his mouth quirks.
“Hey, Ava.”
“Do you really live here?” she asks, stretching on her tiptoes to see behind him.
He chuckles. The sound is warm and deep, and it settles in my chest. “I do.” He opens the door wider and takes a step back, allowing us to step inside. I avoid looking at him at all costs, instead, following Ava’s awed gaze as she takes everything in.