CHAPTER SEVENTEEN #2
Two hours later, my penthouse had been transformed into something I'd never experienced before—a home.
Clara sat at my dining table, her laptop open.
She'd tied her hair up in a messy bun, and she was wearing her glasses, which I'd never seen before and found unreasonably sexy.
Every so often she'd pause, chewing on her lip as she thought through whatever green space portfolio problem she was tackling.
Mia was sprawled on the floor near the play area, coloring with an intensity that suggested this was the most important artistic endeavor of her life. She hummed to herself, occasionally narrating her work in a whisper.
And I was supposed to be reviewing the documentation Clara had suggested I compile—other hotel projects with similar environmental profiles that had been approved. Building my case to prove the planning department was treating us inconsistently.
Instead, I kept finding myself watching them.
The way Clara would absently reach out to smooth Mia's hair when the little girl wandered over to show her something. The comfortable silence between them, punctuated by Mia's questions and Clara's patient answers. The ease of it all.
The romance and the sex was fucking incredible.
But this? This domestic rhythm made me feel like my space was filled with life instead of just expensive furniture.
The Botanical Garden plant sale haul didn’t hurt things either.
I’d already reached out to a contractor to build a special indoor greenhouse just for these plants, until each one found their forever home.
"Nash?" Clara's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was looking at me with amusement. "You've been staring at that same document for fifteen minutes."
"Just thinking."
"About the permit?"
"Among other things." I forced myself to think about work things again. And then an idea hit me. “Are you still looking for properties to include in your green space portfolio?”
“I am. I have two so far, but I need three.”
“What if you used something from the Queens neighborhood?” I thought about the buildings we’d purchased, or even the Meridian complex itself.
“Between the buildings Archer and I bought and the other properties there, I’m sure something could work.
I could probably get blueprints of any place you wanted, too. Including the Meridian site itself.”
Her eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea!”
“You can come visit with me and look around personally,” I said. “My next visit to meet with the neighborhood is coming up. You’ll love them, too. Everyone’s so great there. Total mom and pop vibes. Just…feels like home.”
She got a dreamy smile on her face, an expression so warm and adoring that I had trouble holding her gaze. My gut twisted, and I heard that same voice from the morning whispering she won’t stay once she’s allowed to go. Nobody stays for you.
I tried to shove the thoughts out of my head. Luckily, Mia appeared at my elbow, tugging on my sleeve. "Naff, you help me."
I blinked, looking over at Clara. Had I heard that correctly? Judging by the growing smile on Clara’s face, she’d heard it too.
“What’s his name, sweetie?” Clara encouraged.
“Naff,” Mia said.
Hell if that wasn’t the cutest thing I’d ever heard. Warmth radiated through me as a grin overtook my face. "What's the problem, Miss Mia?"
She held up her coloring book, pointing to a castle. "We color the towers?"
"This is a big coloring job," I said seriously. "What color should this tower be?"
"Purple! But you have to color nice."
For the next few minutes, I colored a purple tower while Mia worked on a blue one. She corrected my technique multiple times and told me increasingly elaborate stories about the princess who lived in the castle.
We ordered in for a late lunch—pizza for Mia, Thai food for Clara and me. Mia was in the middle of explaining why dragons were actually very nice if you gave them the right snacks when my phone buzzed with a news alert.
brEAKING: Cross Developments Announces Major Queens Project
I clicked the notification, and a video started playing. Sebastian Cross stood at a podium, looking as smug as I'd ever seen him.
"Clara," I said quietly. "You need to see this."
She must have heard something in my voice because she immediately stood, guiding Mia back to her coloring. "Keep working on the castle, baby."
Clara came to stand beside me, and I turned up the volume just as Sebastian began speaking.
"...thrilled to announce Cross Developments' most ambitious project to date.
The Queens Meridian Complex will transform three full city blocks into a world-class mixed-use development, bringing luxury residential towers, premium retail space, and Class A commercial real estate to a neighborhood that has been, frankly, underutilized for decades. "
So many red flags in his words. Mixed-use. Luxury. Underutilized. All of these were code words for gentrification, giving the current residents a huge middle finger and telling them better luck next time.
"Jesus Christ,” I muttered. “Three city blocks?”
“It might as well be a habitat,” Clara mused.
“I’m sure he’ll try to put a dome on it and keep all the poors out,” I bit out.
On screen, Sebastian Cross gestured to a massive rendering behind him—sleek glass towers rising, covered tunnels connecting buildings, people conducting business and accessing their luxury apartments.
"This is our grand vision," Cross continued, his smile never wavering. "We’re doing everything possible to secure this vision of the future, and we have strong support from key city officials who understand the economic benefits this record-breaking project will bring."
My phone exploded with notifications. And then Archer called. I swiped my phone onto speakerphone.
“Tell me you’re seeing this weird-ass robot press release from Cross,” Archer said in lieu of a greeting.
I sighed, feeling a heavy wall of dread descend onto me. “I saw it.”
“His fucking plan extends three city blocks. That covers shit we’ve already bought. He can’t do that.”
I rubbed at my forehead, trying to think through the possibilities. “How many deeds do we have now around Meridian? Six?”
“Seven. Hopefully ten by the weekend.”
“It’s a PR stunt. He’s doing it for legitimacy and for social clout. There’s no way he could seize anything unless he…” My words evaporated as I thought back to the way he dropped that line about the support of key city officials. The pieces were connecting, and I didn’t like the image it created.
“Don’t say it,” Archer blurted. “He might be in bed with city officials, but I don’t think even he could suck enough dick to convince them to pull an eminent domain on our properties.”
I wanted to believe Archer. But if Cross convinced the right officials that his development was a necessary economic development for the “public good,” they could force us to sell. And not only that, they could offer us peanuts compared to what we actually paid. A lose-lose for us.
“It’s never happened to us before,” Archer added. “And it sure as hell isn’t going to happen now.”
Clara watched me with worried eyes, nibbling on her lip as I spoke. I reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.
“We need to be ready,” Archer said. “We need capital to fight him. Rustle up some legal challenges. I don’t know. Something. We need that inheritance money now.”
My jaw was so tight it ached. “I know.”
“How soon can you guys get married?”
I met Clara’s bright gaze, which was full of questions.
“I’ll let you know, Arch,” I said. “I gotta go.” I swiped the phone off, burying my face in my hands.
“How soon are you thinking?” Clara asked softly.
“I’m sure tomorrow at City Hall would be fine,” I said, trying to sound like it was a joke when it was anything but.
"Tomorrow?" Her voice climbed higher. "Nash, I can't just—"
"I know this isn't how we planned it." I took her hands in mine. "But I agree with Archer. We need to get it done sooner rather than later."
She was quiet for a long moment, her gaze drifting back to Mia. When she looked at me again, there was resolve in her expression.
"What do we tell Mia?" she asked quietly. “I considered leaving her out of it altogether but that would look so suspicious if my daughter isn’t there. Especially when the committee goes to review things.”
"We tell her…that we're going to sign some important papers." I squeezed her hands. "We don't have to make it into a big thing. Just...a paperwork errand. Or something."
Clara bit her lip, and I could see the wheels turning. Finally, she nodded.
"Okay," she said. " But we keep it simple. Low key. I'll tell Mia we're going to an important appointment."
Relief flooded through me. "Thank you. I'll call the city clerk's office first thing tomorrow. I’ll see how soon we can get an appointment. Maybe we’ll be married by Friday."
"Married by Friday," Clara repeated, like she was testing the concept. “Who all should be there besides you, me, and Mia?"
"Well, Archer, of course." I started sifting through the potential guest list in my mind. “I’d like my mom to be there. Is there anyone from your side that you want there?”
Sadness creased her face for the briefest of moments.
“Just Zoey. My mom passed years ago. She would have been the only one I’d invite.
I’m not close with my stepfather or any of his family.
No grandparents anymore. And my father passed when I was really young.
He was the youngest of his family so most of my aunts and uncles from that side have already passed as well. ”
I squeezed her hand, feeling the sadness radiating from her. I knew it, because I had it inside me too.
“It’ll be intimate. Just the most important people there. That seems best.”
“You don’t have anyone else you’d invite? No other family?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I never knew my father. I don’t have a stepdad. Got a few aunts and uncles but none that I plan on inviting to something like this. I like the idea of it being small.”
Her brows furrowed. “Did your father pass or…?”
"No, he didn't. Well, maybe he did by now.
The truth is, I never met him. According to my mom, he was the type of guy who would come through on business trips, turn her world into magic for a day or two, and then disappear.
He'd only reach out when he came back to the city. But he stopped coming around once he found out she’d had us, and then he disconnected his phone number. "
"So she had no way to find him?" Clara asked.
"None. We tried tracking him down when Archer and I got older. But the name he gave her was fake. The phone number she’d always used was probably a burner he used for his flings. My mom thinks maybe he was married, covering his tracks the whole time. Absolute scum."
Clara's face creased with sadness. "That's awful. I'm so sorry."
"If nothing else, I know something of what Mia is going through." I circled my arms around Clara, kissing the top of her head. God, this felt good. I never wanted to let her go. "And I want to do whatever I can to take away some of that pain."
Clara propped her chin on my chest, smiling up at me. "You are wonderful. You know that? What you went through shaped you into someone who shows up for people. Who protects them." Her eyes shimmered slightly. "Mia's lucky to have you in her corner. Just like the Queens community. And me, too."
I stroked her hair, getting lost in her pretty eyes. Warmth spread through me, but it was edged with something. A skittish feeling, a small voice that warned me of danger. Clara felt so safe. So good. But that scared the fuck out of me, too.
She headed back to the table, gathering her materials with a sigh. "I should get Mia home. It's getting late."
I wanted to protest, to launch another case for them staying the night and waking up with Clara in my arms. But now didn’t seem like the time to go there.
I helped them gather their things, carried Mia's coloring books and the small bag of toys down to the car. Mia chattered the whole way about the castle we'd colored, oblivious to the seismic shifts in the adult world around her.
At the car, Clara finally met my eyes. "Let me know what you hear tomorrow?"
"I'll text you the details once I confirm the appointment."
"Okay." She looked like she wanted to say something else, but Mia was already asking about snacks, so Clara just gave me a small smile and got into the car.
I watched them drive away, the taillights disappearing into Manhattan traffic.
We were getting married soon. Which meant I’d let my soon-to-be wife drive away from me. Something hot and protective pulsed behind my ribs, making my hands curl into fists. As I headed back up to the penthouse, I realized everything felt strange inside without them here.
As I assessed the spacious emptiness, I tried to bring myself back to Earth. We accelerated the timeline. It should have felt like a victory. A necessary step to access the money I needed, to fight the battle that mattered.
Instead, all I could think about was how right it felt with the two of them at my side.
Clara and Mia were the wife and daughter I’d never realized I’d always wanted.
And every day with them made it harder to remember that this had been designed with an end date.