Chapter 35
A few days later, Chloe came back from her trip. Julian had an evening function, but he didn't need me there. Amy was still at daycare. I left work early and met Chloe at Newbury Street.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the brick sidewalks. Tourists and students crowded the storefronts, weaving in and out of boutiques. Chloe stood outside a coffee shop, wearing oversized sunglasses and a loose linen dress that made her look like she'd just stepped off a yacht.
She looked radiant. Her skin glowed, her eyes sparkled, and there was this relaxed energy about her I hadn't seen in months.
"Girl," I said, linking my arm through hers. "That trip did you good."
Chloe covered her mouth with one hand, grinning like she had a secret. "It really did. I slept with a guy."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? How was it?"
"Young," she said with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Like, twenty-four. Amazing stamina. Very attentive. One beautiful fucking night."
I laughed as we started walking. We passed a shoe store displaying strappy heels in the window. Chloe slowed down, eyeing a pair of red stilettos.
"Sounds like you had fun," I said. "You planning to see him again?"
She waved a hand dismissively and kept walking. "Nah. It was just sex. I'm not looking for anything serious."
"Fair enough." We stopped in front of a high-end handbag store. The bags in the window were sleek and minimalist. "So what's next? Job hunting?"
"Starting tomorrow," Chloe said, pulling me inside. The air conditioning hit us immediately. "Time to get back to the real world."
"You'll be fine," I said. "With your resume? You'll have offers by next week."
Chloe picked up a small crossbody bag, testing the weight in her hand. She nudged me with her elbow. "Speaking of next week... what's going on with you and Adam?"
I blinked. "What do you mean? Nothing's going on. We broke up five years ago."
Chloe set the bag down and looped her arm through mine. "If there's really nothing, then come with me. Let's go find some hot guys."
I picked up a purse from the display table, examining the stitching. "I have Amy to take care of. I don't have time for that. Plus, once they find out I have a kid, they run."
"Oh please." Chloe rolled her eyes. "You're not trying to marry them. Men aren't as responsible as you think. They only care about having fun. Trust me. Just smile at them, and they'll come running."
I set the purse down. "And what am I supposed to do with Amy?"
"Leave her with Adam," Chloe said casually. "Amy loves him, right?"
I frowned. "No way. If Adam found out I dumped my kid on him so I could go hook up with random guys, he'd lose his shit."
Chloe shrugged. "So don't tell him the truth. Just say you have to work late or something. Men lie all the time. Makes their lives easier."
I squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Looks like you learned a lot from your ex."
She laughed. "I learned how to stop giving a fuck. But you..." She gave me a pointed look. "You're still stuck on him, aren't you?"
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
Julian.
His voice was slurred when I answered. "Maya. Come pick me up. I'm at The Harvard Club."
---
I drove over to The Harvard Club, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. I'd heard about this place before—members only, exclusive as hell. I couldn't afford the membership fee even if I wanted to.
Julian had arranged for a server to wait for me at the entrance. The guy led me inside without a word.
As I climbed the stairs to the third floor, I spotted Adam.
He was with two other men, both just as good-looking. One had warm brown curls and a sweet face. The other had darker hair and a cocky grin.
Adam stopped mid-step when he saw me. His grey-green eyes locked onto mine. "What are you doing here?"
"Picking someone up," I said evenly.
"Who?"
Before I could answer, Julian appeared, stumbling slightly. He was drunk, but not completely wasted. When he saw Adam, he straightened up and nodded. "Sterling."
I moved quickly to his side, steadying him with one hand.
Adam's gaze dropped to where Julian's arm rested against mine. His jaw tightened.
I wanted to leave. Fast.
But before I could move, the guy with the brown curls spoke up. His tone was mocking, almost cruel. "So this is the girl who dumped you back in Cleveland because you didn't have enough money." He looked me up and down. "Julian Garrison, huh? He's got cash, I'll give you that. But compared to Adam? Not even close. And honestly, sweetheart, Julian's never gonna marry you. You're wasting your time."
I didn't respond. I just tightened my grip on Julian's arm and tried to move past them.
But this guy wasn't done. He turned to Julian, rubbing his shin. "Julian, man, seriously. This girl's bad news. She's got ulterior motives. You should watch yourself."
I felt my face heat up with anger, but I kept my mouth shut.
Suddenly, Adam's foot shot out and kicked him hard in the shin. "Ethan. Shut the fuck up."
Ethan yelped, hopping on one foot. The other guy snickered. "Dude, you deserved that. Clueless idiot."
"Fuck you, Parker," Ethan shot back, still rubbing his shin.
Julian glanced at the scene, his expression amused despite the alcohol. "We should go."
"Yeah," I muttered.
But before we could take another step, Adam grabbed Julian's arm—the one I'd been holding—and yanked him away from me.
Julian stumbled. Adam shoved him toward Ethan and Parker. "You two. Take him home."
"Wait, what—" Ethan started.
"Now."
Parker grinned and caught Julian before he fell. "Come on, man. Let's get you out of here."
I tried to follow them, but Adam grabbed my wrist.
He pulled me toward a private room at the end of the hall. I resisted, but his grip was firm.
The door shut behind us with a soft click.
The lighting was dim—amber and moody. A leather couch sat against one wall. A small bar cart gleamed in the corner.
Adam pushed me back against the door.
And then he kissed me.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't tentative.
It was fierce and desperate and angry all at once.