Chapter 12
Adam's POV:
I stood on the penthouse terrace, phone in my hand. The screen showed a number I'd deleted five years ago but never forgot.
I'd tried it on impulse. Just to see if it still existed.
It rang.
And then—her voice.
"Hello?"
I'd frozen. Hung up without saying a word.
She never changed her number.
Five years. Five fucking years, and she'd kept the same phone number.
The same number I'd erased from my contacts the day I left.
"Hey. What are you doing out here, sulking in the dark?"
I didn't turn around. Parker Palmer leaned against the doorframe, drink in hand, grinning like he'd caught me doing something embarrassing.
"Go away."
"Nope." He strolled over, planted himself next to me. "You've been staring at your phone for ten minutes. Let me guess—texting Victoria Garrison?"
I flipped my phone face-down. "No."
"Then who?" He grinned. "Come on. Don't be boring."
I didn't answer.
Parker studied me for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever. Come back inside. Ethan's opening another bottle."
"I'm leaving."
"What? Why?"
I pushed past him toward the door.
"Yo, where's he going?" Ethan called from the couch.
"No idea," Parker said. "He's being weird."
I grabbed my jacket from the chair.
Ethan sat up. "Dude, we just opened a new bottle. Stay for one more drink."
"I'm done."
"What's wrong with you lately?" Ethan frowned. "You've been acting strange for weeks. Moody as hell. Snapping at everyone."
Parker smirked. "I know what it is. He's sexually frustrated. When's the last time you got laid, man?"
"Fuck off."
"I'm serious. You're wound so tight you're gonna explode. Just go to a bar, pick up some girl—"
"I'm not interested."
"See? That's the problem." Parker flopped onto the couch next to Ethan. "Five years of celibacy. That's not healthy."
Ethan laughed. "Wait, five years? Seriously?"
I shot him a look. "Drop it."
"Holy shit." Ethan's eyes widened. "You haven't been with anyone since Cleveland?"
Parker whistled. "Damn. You're still hung up on her, aren't you?"
"I'm leaving." I headed for the door.
"This is pathetic, man," Ethan called after me. "She dumped you five years ago. Get over it."
I stopped. Turned around slowly. "She didn't dump me. I left."
"Because she was a gold digger," Ethan said. "Right? That's what you told us."
My jaw tightened. "She chose money over me."
"Because you lied to her," Parker said. "You hid who you were. You played some stupid game to test if she was materialistic. And when she failed your little test, you bailed."
"I wanted to know if she loved me for me," I said coldly. "Not my family name. Not my money."
"And she didn't," Ethan said quietly.
I didn't answer.
Parker sighed. "Look, I get it. She hurt you. But come on—it's been five years. She's probably moved on."
Ethan nodded. "Yeah. Move on, man. There are plenty of women out there who—"
"I don't want other women."
Ethan and Parker exchanged glances.
"Jesus Christ," Ethan muttered. "You're really still in love with her."
I grabbed my keys and walked out.
---
Maya's POV:
The next morning, Chloe texted me at 9 AM.
> I'm picking you and Amy up in an hour. Wear comfortable shoes. We're gonna be walking a lot.
Chloe arrived at ten sharp, honking twice from the curb. I grabbed my bag and Amy's hand, and we headed downstairs.
Chloe was leaning against her car, wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket. "Morning, sunshine. You ready to negotiate?"
"God, I hope so."
She grinned. "Trust me. I'm excellent at this." She opened the back door for Amy. "Hey, sweetheart. Buckle up."
Amy climbed in, beaming. "Hi, Aunt Chloe!"
"Hi, baby girl." Chloe slid into the driver's seat.
"I know a good place. Biggest used car dealership in the area. They're having a sale this weekend." She pulled into traffic. "We'll find you something reliable. Something safe for Amy."
"I can't wait." I smiled.
---
The dealership was huge. Rows and rows of cars gleaming in the sun. Banners hung everywhere: SUMMER CLEARANCE! FINANCING AVAILABLE! NO CREDIT? NO PROBLEM!
Chloe parked near the entrance. "Alright. Let's do this."
Amy held my hand as we walked through the lot, her eyes wide. "Mama, look at all the cars!"
"I know, baby."
Chloe was already scanning the inventory, hands on her hips. "Okay. What are you thinking? Sedan? SUV?"
"Something practical," I said. "Good mileage. Safe. Nothing flashy."
"Boring," Chloe teased. "But fine."
We wandered deeper into the lot, past Hondas and Toyotas and Subarus. Amy kept tugging on my hand, pointing at every car with a bright color.
"Mama, what about that one?"
"That's too expensive, baby."
"What about that one?"
"Also too expensive."
Chloe laughed. "She's got good taste."
I was about to respond when I froze.
No.
No, no, no.
Adam.
What the hell is he doing here?
I grabbed Amy's hand and tried to steer her in the opposite direction.
Too late.
Adam looked up.
Our eyes met.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then he started walking toward me.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I turned Amy around, trying to hide her behind me. "Baby, stay close to Mama, okay?"
"Why?" Amy peeked around my legs, curious. "Mama, who's that man?"
"No one. Just—stay behind me."
But Amy was already staring at Adam, her little face scrunched in concentration.
And then her eyes went wide.
"Mama," she whispered. "That man looks like—"
I clamped my hand over her mouth. "Shh. Not now, baby."
Adam was ten feet away. Then five.
I forced a smile. "Oh. Hi. What a... coincidence."
Adam stopped in front of me. He was wearing sunglasses, but I could feel his gaze boring into me. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking at cars. Obviously." My voice sounded shrill even to my own ears. "What are you doing here?"
Amy squirmed in my grip, trying to see around me.
Adam's gaze dropped. "Who's that?"
"No one." I said it too quickly.
He tilted his head. "Maya. Who's behind you?"