Chapter 73
Adam's POV:
I wiped down the counter with the dishrag, watching Maya out of the corner of my eye. She hovered near the kitchen doorway, arms crossed.
I turned and leaned against the counter, crossing my arms to mirror her stance. Then I moved closer—close enough to catch the faint scent of her shampoo.
"Your hand's injured," I murmured, letting my voice drop low. "I should help you shower."
Her eyes went wide. Pink flooded her cheeks.
"Fuck off!" She shoved my chest hard. "Get out!"
I grinned. Worth it just to see that blush.
"Amy!" Maya called, her voice sharp. "Can you walk Mr. Sterling to the door?"
I sighed dramatically. "All right, all right."
I grabbed the trash bag I'd tied up earlier and followed Amy to the door.
---
The next morning, James knocked on my office door and stepped inside without waiting for permission.
"Sir, Ms. Ashford was here again just now. Wanted to see you. I sent her away."
"Good." I set down my pen and leaned back in my chair. "Call HR. I want Claire Ashford transferred to our Rochester office. Effective immediately."
James nodded. "I'll take care of it."
---
By the time I left the office, it was nearly 6 PM. I drove to the Beacon Hill Estate.
Grandmother was sitting in the courtyard when I arrived, wrapped in a cashmere shawl despite the space heaters. She looked... dejected.
I walked over. "What's wrong, Grandma? Boy troubles?"
She turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing.
"What did you just say?"
I grinned. "I said, are you feeling lonely? Missing Grandpa? Or maybe looking for a new gentleman friend?"
She snatched the broom from the housekeeper's hands.
"You little shit!" She swung the broom at my back. "How dare you speak to me like that!"
I ducked and started backing away, laughing. "Grandma, I was joking—"
She dropped the broom and glared at me. Then her expression shifted.
"Adam." Her voice was quieter now. "I heard Maya has a child with her?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Her niece. She's raising her brother's daughter."
"Her brother's?" Grandmother's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't you think the child looks like Maya?"
"Sure. That's normal. Nieces can look like their aunts."
Grandmother studied my face. "Don't you think she looks a little like you?"
I laughed. "Grandma, I get it. You want a great-grandchild. But you'll have to wait until I marry Maya and we have one of our own."
She smacked my arm. "You're an idiot. How do you even run Sterling Global with a brain like that? I should tell your father to replace you."
I shrugged. "He doesn't have anyone else. I'm his only son."
---
I didn't stay long. By 7:00 PM, I was standing outside Maya's apartment door, knocking.
No answer.
I knocked again. Still nothing.
I pulled out my phone and called her.
"Hello?" Her voice sounded distracted.
"Where are you?"
"Amy and I are at the grocery store. Why?"
"I was thinking I could make dinner again tonight."
"We're eating at Chloe's. You should go home."
"I bought you a new hot water heater. It's being delivered tomorrow. Can I get a key to your apartment so I don't have to wait outside in the cold?"
There was a pause. Then she hung up.
I called back.
"What?" Her voice was sharp.
"Send me your Venmo. Or your payment link on Instagram."
A pause. "Why?"
"I'm transferring you the compensation for your car. $120,000."
"Adam, I bought that car for twelve thousand. You think I'm stupid? No one pays a hundred and twenty grand in damages for a twelve-thousand-dollar car."
"Your car was a lemon. Broke down in less than two months. You deserve compensation." I paused. "Send me your payment info."
Silence.
"Maya?"
"I don't believe you. That's your money, not his."
"It's from the dealer. My lawyers are very persuasive." I leaned against her door. "The dealer's lucky I didn't sue him into the ground."
"Send me your payment link, and in exchange, give me a spare key as a thank-you. I'm freezing out here."
She hung up.
Of course she did.
I looked at the closed door, then at my watch. 7:35 PM.
I'll wait.
---
By 9:00 PM, I was freezing.
I'd been standing in the hallway for over an hour, shifting from foot to foot to keep warm. The building's heating was a joke.
Finally, I heard footsteps on the stairs.
Maya appeared, carrying a sleeping Amy in her arms. When she saw me, she stopped.
"Are you serious?" She walked past me and unlocked the door. "You've been standing out here all night?"
I rubbed my arms and grinned. "I missed you. Couldn't sleep without seeing you first."
She pushed the door open with her hip. "Well, you've seen me. Now go home."
I slipped inside before she could stop me. "Let me warm up first. You're a cruel woman, making me freeze out here."
"I didn't make you do anything."
I followed her to Amy's room and watched as she gently laid the little girl on the bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Amy didn't stir.
When Maya turned around, I was leaning against the doorframe.
"You should go," she whispered.
I didn't move.
She walked past me into her own bedroom. I followed.
By the time she turned around, I'd already kicked off my shoes and stretched out on her bed, pulling the comforter over me.
"God, this smells good," I muttered, burying my face in her pillow.
"Get up." She yanked the comforter off me. "Get out of my bed."
I rolled onto my stomach and closed my eyes. "No. I'm sleeping here tonight."
"This is my house. Move."
She climbed onto the bed and kicked my leg. I grabbed her ankle.
One quick pull, and she tumbled onto the mattress beside me.
Before she could scramble away, I pulled her down flat and wrapped my arms around her waist.
"We're sleeping together," I murmured against her hair.
She shoved at my chest. "Let go!"
I released her.
She got up, grabbed a spare blanket from the closet, and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
I sat up. "Maya? Where are you going?"
Her voice came from the living room. "You can have the bed. I'm sleeping on the couch."
I got up and opened the door. She was already curled up on the couch, wrapped in the blanket like a burrito.
"Maya, the couch is uncomfortable."
She turned her face toward the cushions and didn't answer.
I sighed and walked over. "Come on. Don't be stubborn."
No response.
I bent down, scooped her up—blanket and all—and carried her back to the bedroom.
"Adam, stop it! Put me down!"
I set her on the bed and pulled the comforter over her. "You sleep here. I'll take the couch."