Page 126 of Emergence and Ascendance

"So you did talk to her?"

Scotlyn frowned and nodded. "Kind of. She pretty much told me your ex-wife was trash, which meant the bar wasn't high for me. She also said that she didn't really care what you did in your personal life because if she stayed out of yours you would return the favor."

I grunted at that thought. "I don't know what the fuck is going on with her."

"She seemed okay."

"I don't mean like that. She's good as far as I can tell but she's just… shit, I don't know…" I brushed a hand over my head. "It's hard to explain. Cress keeps saying give her space to figure her shit out."

"You don't agree?"

"I don't know how I feel, but she's grown, so there's not really much I can say. I just make sure she knows we've got her no matter what and make sure she checks in. She say how long she was here for?"

Scotlyn shook her head. "No, sorry."

"She's only here because I threatened to cut her off if she didn't show her face."

"Well it worked."

"She'll be gone by the time we wake up in the morning. Come take a ride with me."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"Do I need to change?"

I could tell she'd showered. I smelled the body wash and her hair was in a curly ponytail on top of her head. She was in jeans and a loose V-neck tee which was fine with me but I knew she would probably want to do more. I just didn't feel like waiting while she did it.

"Nah, you're good."

Scotlyn studied my face for a moment then nodded. "Okay. Let me grab my shoes."

Forty minutes later I pulled into the driveway of a three-level townhome in Chandler Heights. This section was new and had two rows of townhomes that were nice as hell but overpriced because of the area.

Scotlyn followed me to the front door without asking questions which I appreciated. I keyed in the access code and stepped aside to let her enter first.

"It's empty."

"Go look around."

I knew she was confused as hell but we would get to the reason I'd brought her here. On the way back to the house, my mind was heavy with so many damn thoughts, but the most relevant was that I liked the idea of coming home to Scotlyn. Unfortunately what I liked and wanted didn't mean a damn thing if she wasn't in the same space and mindset. I watched her move through the place, smiling and exploring while she tested the light switches, ran her fingers over the walls, doors, and black hardware like she was trying to make a connection. I watched as Scotlyn did her thing, and when she made it back to the kitchen where I was waiting, I asked her opinion.

"You like it?"

"It's beautiful but why are we here?" She leaned against the opposite counter.

I studied her face, taking time to choose my words carefully. "Development will start soon. You'll need a more permanent residence. First stages can take six months to a year minimum."

She looked confused, which likely had to do with her assumption that she was staying with me. That was exactly what I wanted but I needed her to understand she had choices.

"You have two options. Stay with me, which is my preference and where I want you, or you can stay here."

"You're giving me the option?"

I kept my eyes on her and nodded.

"It has to be your choice but I'm being clear about what I want."

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