I walked slowly, my arms wrapped securely around Leila, her chubby fingers grasping the strap of my top like it grounded her. My boots clicked against the pale wooden floors as I wandered through the beach house—sunlight flooding every corner, painting golden streaks along the walls.
It was beautiful.
Gray-blue walls, floor-to-ceiling windows. A wraparound deck overlooked the sea, with a pool off to the side along with a hot tub. Everything covered in pale grays, blues, and a hint of lilac. It was the kind of place that felt untouched. It was almost too perfect. Which is exactly why it made my skin crawl a little.
Leila made a soft sound, a yawn stretching her mouth as she curled against me. I pressed a kiss to her curls, dreading the days when she would be too big to be carried by me and grow out of wanting her mom with her.
Stepping deeper into the house, my brows furrowed when I reached the living room.
Dan sat on the edge of a gray linen couch, elbows on his knees, wringing his hands together. He looked smaller than usual, out of place in his crisp white dress shirt and black slacks, like guilt had stolen his usual cocky self and the broadness from his shoulders.
I cleared my throat.
His head snapped up, surprise flashing in his eyes before he stood, slowly, like any sudden movement might scare me off. And good for him because he wasn't wrong. I was about two seconds away from bolting.
"I got your message," I said, keeping my tone even despite my stomach fluttering with unease the second I saw him. "No one knows I'm here. But for the record..." I shifted Leila in my arms and raised a brow. "If you're planning on killing me, I will scream. Loudly."
Dan exhaled, almost like a laugh, but it didn't quite make it there. "I guess I deserve that." He took a step toward me cautiously. "What do you think of the place?"
I blinked. "What?"
Leila squirmed in my arms, trying to slide down. I crouched, placing her gently on the floor. She immediately crawled toward the wide open space, curious and unafraid.
