Chapter 94
Maya's POV:
I'd just left the office when my phone rang.
Mrs. Sterling.
"Maya, dear, we've already picked up Amy from daycare. We're at the restaurant now, almost finished with dinner."
I blinked. "Oh. Thank you, Mrs.—"
"Grandma," she corrected. "Call me Grandma."
My throat tightened. "Thank you, Grandma."
"We'll bring her home soon. Would you like us to bring you anything? Some food perhaps?"
"No, no, I'm fine. Thank you."
"Alright then. We should be back in about an hour."
---
I got home, kicked off my heels, and grabbed a piece of bread. Didn't even bother toasting it. Just ate it standing in the kitchen, then dropped onto the couch with my laptop.
Desperate Housewives.
I stretched out, propped my feet on the armrest, and hit play.
Knock knock knock.
I groaned. Amy must've forgotten her key.
I pulled the door open without checking.
Adam stood there. Holding a box.
He looked at me carefully. Like he was afraid I'd slam the door in his face.
"Can I come in?" he asked quietly.
When has he ever asked permission?
I didn't answer. Just turned and walked back to the couch.
Behind me, I heard the door close. The lock click. The rustle of him taking off his shoes.
I sat down and hit play again.
Adam set the box on the floor and started opening it.
A robot vacuum.
He pulled it out, set it on the floor, then tossed the empty box toward the door.
Clatter.
I kept my eyes on the TV.
The couch dipped beside me.
I glanced over. Adam had sat down. Close. Our sleeves were touching.
I shifted to the right.
Adam shifted right too.
I moved again. He followed.
I ended up wedged against the armrest, Adam still pressed against me.
"Stop it," I said without looking at him.
"Stop what?"
"Sitting so close."
He didn't move.
I turned to glare at him. He was staring at the TV, face blank.
"Do you actually like this show?"
"What?" He turned to look at me. His eyes were unfocused.
I rolled my eyes. He wasn't even paying attention.
I stood up.
A hand wrapped around my wrist.
I gasped as Adam pulled, and suddenly I was sitting on his lap.
I twisted to look at him.
His eyes were dark. Intense. And there was something else.
"Let go," I said quietly.
Adam grabbed my hand and raised it to his own face.
Slap.
"Hit me," he said roughly. "Maya, hit me. I deserve it."
I stared at him. "Are you insane?"
He moved my hand again. I yanked it away. "Stop it!"
He dropped his head onto my shoulder.
I went still.
His forehead pressed against my collarbone. His breath was warm against my neck.
"I know," he said quietly. "I know everything now. I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry I misunderstood you."
My hands hovered in the air.
My eyes stung. My nose burned. I bit down hard on my lower lip, trying to hold it back.
Click.
The door lock turned.
I grabbed Adam's head and shoved him.
He fell backward onto the couch with a grunt.
Amy walked in. She stopped. Stared.
Adam was sprawled on the couch, his legs half-off the cushions, his hair sticking up.
I was standing by the TV, my face burning.
Behind Amy, Mrs. Sterling appeared. Her gaze flicked from me to Adam. Then she smiled.
"Well," she said brightly. "Your father's waiting for me downstairs. I should get going."
"Wait—"
She waved a hand. "You two have fun."
The door clicked shut.
Amy's eyes darted between us. Then she walked deliberately into her room.
A moment later, the bathroom door closed.
Adam sat up slowly and gave me a wounded look.
I turned and fled to the balcony.
---
I grabbed the laundry basket and started hanging up clothes.
Footsteps behind me.
Adam reached over my shoulder and took a wet shirt from my hands. He hung it on the line without saying anything.
We worked in silence.
When we were done, I turned to leave.
He caught my wrist.
"Amy's here," I hissed. "Back off."
Adam's mouth twitched. "Got it. I'll pick better timing next time."
I yanked my hand free.
"Phone."
I frowned. "Why?"
"I need to connect the robot vacuum to your phone."
I crossed my arms. "Take it back. Use it at your own place."
"If you don't want it," Adam said calmly, "I'll just come over every day to vacuum for you instead."
I stared at him.
He's serious.
I groaned and pulled out my phone. Slapped it into his hand.
He smiled and started tapping at the screen.
Amy appeared, freshly showered. She crouched down next to Adam.
"Daddy, can you teach me how to use it?"
Adam handed her my phone. "It's all set up. Just press here."
Amy's face lit up. She started tapping buttons.
I yawned. Exhaustion hit me all at once.
"Okay," I said. "Bedtime. For both of us."
I walked over and plucked my phone out of Amy's hands. Looked at Adam. "Lock the door on your way out."
Then I walked into my room and shut the door.
---
Adam's POV:
I stood in the living room. Alone.
Maya's door was closed. Amy's door was closed.
I looked at the couch. Then at Maya's door.
I stretched out on the couch, legs hanging over the armrest, and turned onto my side facing Maya's door.
---
I sneezed myself awake.
Maya stood in front of me, holding a blanket.
I rubbed my face. My head felt heavy. Fuck. I'm getting sick.
Maya draped the blanket over my shoulders without saying anything.
A minute later, she came back with water and two pills.
"Take these," she said.
I looked up at her and smiled. "Feed me."
She rolled her eyes. Turned to leave.
"Wait." I grabbed her hand. "I'll take them."
She pulled away and walked off.
I swallowed the pills and lay back down.
The blanket smelled like her.
---
"Daddy. Daddy, wake up."
Amy's face hovered above mine. She poked my cheek.
"Breakfast," she announced.
I reached up and pinched her cheek gently. She squealed and ran off.
I sat up.
Maya was walking out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl.
She glanced at me.
Our eyes met.
Then she looked away first.
I stood, walked to the door, and grabbed the shopping bag James had left. Headed to the bathroom.
---
When I came out, I was wearing a fresh suit. Hair combed.
Maya was sitting at the table, eating congee.
She looked up. Her eyes widened slightly.
I walked over and leaned down, bringing my face close to hers.
"Like what you see?" I asked.
She coughed. Looked down. "No."
I sat down next to her. "Don't be shy. I'm all yours. Stare all you want."
"Can you just eat and shut up?"
"You know what I've noticed?" I said. "You're always saying the opposite of what you mean these days."
"You know what I've noticed?" Maya shot back. "You've become full of yourself."
Amy sighed loudly. "You guys, stop! Just eat."