Edward stood across the room from her and admired long, lean legs, a round butt and perfectly exhibited breasts. Her hair was short and sassy, not long and flowing as when they were together. She smiled at the gentleman in front of her and then pushed her bangs out of her face. Edward was in awe of her for a moment. This wasn’t the woman he remembered. No, this lady was self-assured and sexy—not the timid young woman that he once knew.
She finally looked his way and gave a nod of acknowledgment. It was her idea that they meet at her downtown office instead of her West Palm Beach home. He noticed that she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with him visiting her space, even if it was for a good reason. The last few times, she’d suggested that they meet at a park or a restaurant to facilitate the exchange. Things had become much more impersonal, against his wishes.
She gave him a smile and headed his way. The smile, he remembered. It was genuine and wholesome—not to mention gorgeous. She led the way, and he followed her to a beautiful office with art that adorned the walls. The walls were painted in warm hues of orange—Savannah’s favorite color. He immediately recognized the portrait of the colorful Eiffel Tower, an urban piece that they’d picked up when they honeymooned in Paris. He sat in the leather wingback chair and stared at the woman who sat across from him. He picked up the framed photograph from her desk—the one of their daughter, Chloe. His girls, as he used to call them.
“I talked to my mother the other day.”
“Really?” He leaned back in the chair and glanced at Savannah’s face. Tried to read her expression at the mention of her mother.
“Yes.” Her face was blank.
It seemed that she was trying to shield her emotions from him, but he knew her all too well. He knew that her relationship with her mother had been strained and was the reason for many years of inner turmoil for Savannah.
“What was that conversation like?” he asked.
“It was long and—” a subtle little smile appeared in the corner of her mouth “—and genuine, actually.”
“Really?” He was surprised.
“I’d like to go to London and spend some time with her.”
“Okay, that’s nice. A week or so?”
“Maybe longer.”
“What about your job?”
Savannah exhaled and leaned her head against the back of the leather chair. “They’re downsizing. Letting some people go. This is actually my last few weeks here.”
“Savannah, I’m sorry.” Edward crossed his leg over the other one. “What will you do? Have you been putting your résumé out there?”
“I’d like to look for a job while I’m in London.”
“You’re thinking of relocating there?”
She nodded a yes.
“What about Chloe?”
“She would go, too,” she stated matter-of-factly. Like it was the most normal thing in the world to take a man’s child clear across the world.
He took in a deep breath, gathering himself before he spoke again. But he could feel his anger boiling. His daughter meant the world to him, and he couldn’t imagine her living in another state, let alone another country. He couldn’t fathom the thought. Wouldn’t. No. It was out of the question.
“You’re not moving to London with Chloe.” He was calm, but emphatic.
“Not right away, I know.”
“Not at all!”
“You’re being unreasonable, Edward.”
He sat up in the chair. “How do you propose I see my daughter if you take her to England, Savannah? Are you going to fly her here for my weekend visits? And what about Christmas and summer breaks?”
He’d already found it difficult to manage a week without seeing Chloe’s little face. He couldn’t even imagine not seeing her for longer than that.
“We’ll figure something out.”
“We’ll figure something out?” he asked. “She’s just as much my daughter as she is yours, and I won’t allow it.”
“You’re telling me what you won’t allow? What gives you the right?”
“I have rights when it comes to my daughter. And I will exercise them if I need to.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He stood. Headed toward the door. “It’s not a threat, Savannah. It’s a promise.”
Their marriage had ended in divorce after a short eighteen months. It was the one thing that Edward had failed at. He’d excelled in college and breezed through law school. He’d run for mayor, and lost—but had landed a position on the West Palm Beach City Commission. A place where he could actually make a difference for the people in his community. However, the mayoral campaign had robbed him of his marriage. A newlywed with a pregnant wife at home, he’d gotten too caught up in his career. Not to mention he’d spent too much time with his beautiful campaign manager. Although he’d never cheated on Savannah with Quinn, the closeness of their relationship had caused more of a disturbance than his new marriage could take.
One of the best things about Edward’s marriage to Savannah, though, had been their daughter, Chloe. He needed his daughter like the air he breathed. He needed to see her every single day. They’d become the best of friends. In her five years of life, he was astounded at the things that she knew. He didn’t want to miss one single moment of her life. But now Savannah threatened to take it all away. He wouldn’t allow her to do it. Couldn’t.
“What do you want from me, Edward? Do you want me to put my life...my career on hold again?”
“This is not about your career, or mine for that matter. This is about our daughter. If you want to go to London to make amends with your mother and build a new career, that’s fine. But don’t take Chloe away from me. She’s all I have.”
“I