Page 22 of Skylar

“It shouldn’t,” Lynda said. “But if it does, it’s better that they come up now rather than later.”

Skylar supposed that was true, so she didn’t protest it. But if this didn’t go the way she hoped, she had no idea what would happen. Worst case would be if his fancy-dancy lawyer filed for a custody agreement so that Aiden had a permanent role in Shiloh’s life. Or worst case, he’d fight the adoption because he’d never terminated his rights to Shiloh.

Oh, how she hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

Her parents chatted with Lynda while they waited, but Skylar kept her thoughts to herself. It felt like forever before Dennis appeared to tell them they were ready. In reality, it had probably been less than twenty minutes.

They gathered back around the table, and Dennis slid the file that Lynda had given him before they’d left the room, back across the table to her. The file that would make sure that Aiden could never challenge the rights of Charli and Blake to raise their daughter.

“Any questions, comments, or concerns?” Lynda asked as she took the folder and flipped it open. Her gaze skimmed the page before looking back up at Dennis.

“I had a few, but Aiden assured me that this was what he wanted to do. That it was the right thing.”

Relief rushed through Skylar. She’d thought he might refuse to sign it until they allowed him to meet Shiloh. That he hadn’t done that gave Skylar another glimpse of the man he’d become.

Unless there was an angle she wasn’t seeing.

However, even if that was the case, Skylar trusted that Lynda or her parents would have figured it out.

Usually, she didn’t rely on other people to pick up the slack for her. However, this whole situation with Shiloh had been stressful and confusing for her from day one. She didn’t trust herown judgment when it came to anything pertaining to the child she’d given birth to, then placed in her sister’s arms.

For a moment, she was back in time, listening as the doctor announced that she’d had a healthy baby girl.

If Aiden had been there with her, they would have had a daughter. Now, they only had memories of a horrible time of heartache and betrayal, and she’d had to watch their daughter grow up from a distance. And now she’d have to watch her fight for her life from a distance.

As her gaze held Aiden’s, she saw regret in his eyes. It should have made her feel better, but it didn’t. His regret did nothing to change the circumstances they found themselves in. There was no going back.

She’d accepted that a long time ago. And with the stroke of a pen, Aiden had now accepted it.

Skylar was glad of that, but there was something within her that wished with all her heart that he had been the man she’d thought he was back when they’d been dating. At least at the start of that teenage romance.

When the meeting came to a close, Aiden turned and said, “Can I speak to you for a couple of minutes, Skylar?”

She glanced at her parents, who were both looking at her with raised eyebrows. They didn’t say anything though, clearly leaving it up to her. She didn’t want to speak with him. Not really. But she couldn’t deny she was curious about what he wanted.

“Sure.”

“Is it okay if we use the room for a few more minutes?” Aiden asked Lynda.

“Definitely,” the woman said with a nod.

“We’ll be in the waiting room,” her dad said before they all filed out of the room, leaving her alone with the man who’d broken her heart so spectacularly.

And he was slowly drawing her back in, whether she wanted that or not.

CHAPTER SIX

Aiden didn't quite know what had compelled him to request a conversation with Skylar, but he was glad she’d agreed. The rollercoaster of emotions over the past hour or so had been crazy.

The first time he’d laid eyes on her in his office, he’d been so stunned by her sudden return to his life that he couldn't truly take her in. Now, he had the chance to observe her more attentively. He looked for traces of the woman he had once loved, but it was difficult to spot any.

She held herself with a sophistication and elegance that she hadn't shown as a teenager. Her dark hair was styled in a sleek twist away from her face, and her makeup was understated.

As a teenager, she’d preferred jeans or leggings paired with a sweatshirt or T-shirt. Her hair had usually been pulled back in a ponytail, and she’d rarely worn much makeup.

That day, however, she stood before him in black slacks, heels, and a red blouse, giving off a professional vibe. It made him curious about her occupation.

“Thanks for agreeing to speak with me,” Aiden said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “You’d be well within your rights to refuse.”

---