Chapter 48
Adam's POV:
I sat at the small dining table.
Watched Maya cut Amy's chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Then pour water into her cup.
Then wipe sauce from the corner of her mouth.
I want that attention.
Half of it.
A quarter, even.
I picked up my fork.
Stabbed a piece of broccoli.
"Uncle Adam." Amy pointed at my plate. "You don't like vegetables?"
"I like them fine."
"Then why aren't you eating?"
Because I'm watching your mom.
"I'm eating." I shoved the broccoli in my mouth.
Amy giggled.
My phone buzzed.
Grandma.
Video call.
"Excuse me." I stood. Walked to the window.
Accepted the call.
"Adam Sterling, where have you been?"
"Grandma—"
"I've been calling all afternoon!"
"I was busy."
"Busy?" Her voice rose. "Doing what?"
"Having dinner."
"Dinner?" She squinted at the screen. "Where?"
"At your future daughter-in-law's place."
Maya's head snapped up.
Her eyes locked on mine.
Glaring.
I smiled.
Turned back to the phone.
"Maya?" Grandma's face filled the screen. "Why didn't you invite me?" She looked genuinely hurt.
"Next time."
"Next time?" She huffed. "Put her on the phone!"
I walked back to the table.
Held the phone toward Maya.
She stared at it.
Then at me.
Finally, she leaned forward.
"Hello, Mrs. Sterling."
"Maya!" Grandma's face brightened. "How wonderful! You must come visit again soon. We'll have tea. And those Boston cream pies you loved!"
"That's very kind—"
"You two have fun! I won't disturb you anymore."
"Mrs. Sterling, we're not—"
"Don't be shy, dear!" Grandma waved her hand dismissively.
I pulled the phone back.
"I'll call you later, Grandma."
"Adam—"
I hung up.
Set the phone face-down.
Maya was still glaring.
"What?" I sat back down.
"'Future daughter-in-law'?" Her voice was tight.
"Yep."
"I am NOT—"
"Aunt Maya." Amy tugged her sleeve. "What's a grandson-wife?"
Granddaughter-in-law.
Close enough.
Maya's face flushed.
"It's, um... just a way of saying... a person who—"
"It's a title." I cut in. "Like 'princess' or 'boss lady.'"
Amy's eyes went wide.
"Cool!"
Maya kicked my shin under the table.
I didn't flinch.
Just smiled.
Worth it.
---
Dinner ended.
Maya started clearing plates.
"I should go." I stood.
"Yes. You should."
"Let me help."
"No."
"Maya—"
"Go home, Adam."
I picked up my plate anyway.
Carried it to the kitchen.
She followed.
Hands on hips.
"You have thick skin."
"I do." I set the plate in the sink. "Comes with the territory."
"What territory?"
"Chasing after women who keep running away."
Her jaw tightened.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes."
"Who's joking?" I turned on the faucet. "I'm dead serious."
She grabbed the sponge.
"Adam—"
"Why don't you believe me?" I turned to face her. "What do I have to do?"
She paused.
Sponge dripping in her hand.
"Believe you?" Her voice was cold. "You lied to me for half a year. You disappeared for five years. And now you show up acting like—like we can just pick up where we left off?"
"We can't?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because—" She threw the sponge into the sink. "Because I don't trust you! Because you've given me no reason to trust you!"
Ouch.
Fair.
I leaned against the counter.
"I know I fucked up."
"Damn right you did."
"But I'm trying." I stepped closer. "I'm here, aren't I?"
"Tell me what to do." I reached for her hand. "Tell me how to prove it."
She pulled back.
"You can't."
"Maya—"
"Just leave." Her voice cracked. "Please."
Fuck.
I ran a hand through my hair.
"Fine."
Grabbed the trash bag.
"I'll take this out on my way."
She didn't respond.
Just turned back to the sink.
Ice queen.
My ice queen.
---
I stepped into the hallway.
Closed the door behind me.
Walked toward the elevator.
Stubborn woman.
How the hell do I—
"Adam?"
I stopped.
Turned.
Claire.
She stood by my front door.
Shivering.
"Hey." I kept walking.
"Adam, wait!"
I stopped at my door.
"It's late. You should head home."
"I've been waiting for hours." Her voice trembled. "It's freezing out here."
It's October.
Not that cold.
"Sorry." I pulled out my keys. "I was busy."
"With your girlfriend?"
"Yeah."
"Is that... real?" She stepped closer. "Or were you just saying that to me?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"You tell me!" Her voice rose. "Last time we talked, you were single. And now suddenly you have a girlfriend?"
"Not officially." I pushed the door open. "But she will be."
She stared at me.
"You're serious."
"Dead serious."
"But..." Her eyes glistened. "What about—what about us?"
"We're friends. That's it."
"Friends?" Her voice cracked. "I've been waiting for you for years, Adam. I went abroad for you! I came back for you!"
"I'm sorry." My voice softened. "But I can't give you what you want."
"Why not?" She wiped her eyes.
"Because I'm in love with someone else."
Her face crumpled.
"Who is she?" Her voice was small. "This girlfriend of yours."
"Someone I knew a long time ago."
"Is she..." She hesitated. "Is she rich? Connected?"
"No."
"Then why—"
"Because she's...I don't think I need to explain it to you."
Claire looked down.
"She must be special."
"She is."
A long silence.
"Can I—" Her voice wavered. "Can I at least come in? Just for a few minutes. To warm up."
I glanced back at my open door.
No.
Not happening.
"It's late." I kept my voice firm. "Not appropriate."
"We're friends." She stepped closer. "What's inappropriate about friends having coffee?"
"We're friends, sure." I met her eyes. "But she's the woman I'm trying to make my girlfriend. And I won't do anything—anything—that might make her doubt me."
"But she's not even your girlfriend yet!" Claire's voice turned desperate. "You said so yourself!"
"She will be." I stepped backward into my apartment. "And until then, I'm giving her girlfriend privileges anyway."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means no other women in my apartment after dark." I gripped the doorframe. "It means I don't do anything that might hurt her or make her think I'm playing games."
"Adam—"
"You should go home, Claire."
Her face twisted. Anger. Hurt. Humiliation.
"Fine." She turned on her heel. "I get it."
"I'm sorry—" I stepped inside. Shut the door.