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.
Baz clears his throat, drawing my attention to him. A crease forms between his brows, as he looks back and forth between us. Ava doesn’t stand still for long. She walks straight toward the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the incredible view we don’t have back home.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head, wiping the look off. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he shrugs noncommittally. “I haven’t seen you two together, and I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to look so similar. Both with blond hair now, you really do look like you could be her mother.”
My gaze trails back to Ava. I’ve thought the same thing a few times, while looking back at pictures of us, but I just thought it was the hair and the fact that she was calling me Mom that led me to think that way. I just sort of brushed it under the rug, but knowing others will think I’m her real mother makes me feel better. Maybe growing up with an adoptive mother won’t be so hard. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but I do want her to fit in.
When I glance back at Baz, my heart skips a beat when I realize he’s been watching me this whole time. My cheeks turn a bright shade of pink, and I clear my throat, glancing away as I gather my thoughts. I can feel his stare burning through me, as though he’s taking note of everything going on inside me.
I risk a glance back at him and find him still looking at me, but this time, he’s wearing a little smirk on