Page 45 of The Sweetest Taboo

"Flora, why don't you brush your teeth so when Uncle Mick gets here, you can say hello and goodnight quickly?"

She thought about it for a long moment. "How quickly?" she asked.

"Five minutes quickly."

"Deal." She ran into her bedroom.

I looked at Rowan and sat across from him on a matching armchair. I bought the sofa set on sale when I first moved in, a few days after Flora was born. The coffee table was a hand-me-down from Flora's grandparents.

"I like your place," Rowan said, his eyes scanning his surroundings.

What did he see, I wondered? It was a modest condo in Rego Park in Queens. It had two bedrooms and one bath. It was on the third floor and was bright, which I loved. It was the nicest house I'd ever lived in, except for my three weeks in Montana.

Flora and I had made it our own. The prints on the walls were bright and lively—Monet, Joan Miro, and Kandinsky. The décor was colorful with pillows, throw blankets, and rugs.

"Can I get you something to drink?" I asked politely.

He shook his head.

"How…how did you find out where I lived?"

"I asked a friend in the NYPD to look you up."

I nodded. "Wow, you went to some effort. I thought you'd…I didn't expect to see you."

"What did you expect?"

"A call from Claudio saying I was fired," I told him honestly.

Sadness and regret flashed in his eyes. "I deserve that."

"I didn't say it to offend you," I quickly added.

What happened was a long time ago. I had a little girl to take care of. A small business that took up all my time. I was sleep deprived and exhausted. I didn't have the energy for this new Ledger drama, whatever it was.

"Why are you here, Rowan?" I asked the same question I'd asked when he'd come to that hotel room in Billings six years ago.

I thought he'd give the same answer as then: I don't know.

He shocked me by saying, "I want to apologize."

There was a knock on the door and I was glad for the interruption.

"Hey, cupcake." Mick came in with a grocery bag and kissed me on the cheek.

"Yummy…you smell like…lasagna? You made lasagna?"

I laughed. "Yes, I did."

"I haven't eaten."

"Fine. I'll pack you some to take with you." I walked to the fridge, ignoring Rowan, and pulled out the container I'd already packed for him and his husband.

"Ah, Isha, love, I adore you." Mick pulled me into his arms and gave me a big smack on my lips.

"Uncle Mick, Uncle Mick." Flora came running. Mick picked her up and hugged her.

"How are you, my beautiful flower girl?"

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