Page 15 of Who We Were

Paul's lips twist and if I weren't mistaken, he looks a little embarrassed. Or maybe worried, I can't tell; he's got an exquisite mask. I suppose to be one of Baltimore’s best lawyers, he would have to.

"I uh... I haven't told her I'm buying her a house."

My eyes widen as he rubs the back of his neck. I laugh, unable to help myself. "Well, that will be a grand surprise!"

"We'll see. Talk soon. Thanks again." Then he's walking down the porch steps and getting into his fancy car.

I have to say, it's really unsettling seeing such a powerful alpha act so nervous. I don't know anything about his daughter, but I really fucking hope we aren't about to get a spoiled brat for a neighbor.

With the door open, the wind sweeps away the scent of spring and lavender. I miss it almost immediately, and debate grabbing one of the vases to bring home; but Samuel might go feral if he smells anything at all similar to Amaya.

Locking the door behind me, I take the short walk home to clear my sinuses and mind. Well, not really. I just focus on the promise of Emmett's delicious punishment.

I can already feel the heat of his handprint on my ass.

11

AMAYA

There's a high possibility I am more like my father than I thought.

I'm starting to think I was predisposed to having anxiety and a bad attitude. The anxiety for sure comes from Paul and the bad attitude is all my mother. It's no wonder I can't settle into living with him. My PTSD is through the roof, and I'm pretty sure my lack of normalcy is freaking him out.

We set each other off in all honesty.

Like right now; neither of us knows how to help the other.

I'm shaking like a leaf, and he won’t stop running his hands through his hair. Like the other times we've interacted this past week, it's only because he's asked me to come out of my room.

Not that I haven't left my makeshift nestat all. I just wait for Paul to go to bed so I can grab a snack. His chef has taken to making extra food and leaving me a plate to heat up. Eating in the dim light of the kitchen after midnight has become my only other safe space. Unfortunately, my nest and bedroom don't feel as secure with the amount of times he's come knocking.

Normally, we've just sat at the kitchen table and avoided eye contact. Thankfully, he hasn't mentioned my food consumption since that first disaster of a meal we had together.

This time, there's no food filling our mouths. Separated by his mahogany desk in his office, I wait for him to tell me what I'm doing here.

I'm starting to zone out when he finally clears his throat. "Amaya, I have a few things I would like to discuss with you. Some of which I should have mentioned sooner."

I raise a brow, feigning nonchalance while my heart is actually pounding.Who starts off a conversation like that?!

"Your mother and I..."

"Oh god, please no," I protest, readying to leave his office if he spouts one more word abouthim and my mom.

"Just listen," he says, voice becoming tense and rooting me to the spot. "I doubt you'll believe what I'm about to tell you, but I need you to try to keep an open mind."

All the directions my mind starts running in make me fucking dizzy.

Paul's nose crinkles. "The only thing I knew about your mother was her name. Nothing else really matters when it comes to a… one-night stand."

Barf. Barfing.

"Hold on," he scolds, narrowing his gaze at me.

If he's using some of his alpha dominance on me, this must be serious. Obviously more serious than a one-night stand.

"Amaya." All traces of the powerful alpha I've seen a few times completely evaporate. In his place is a man with eyes drowning in anguish. "I never spoke to Stephanie after she left the club bathroom."

Gross. A bathroom?

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