The cab pulled up to his building, and I took a deep breath. I could feel sweat forming on the palms of my hands as I hit the elevator button, but there was no turning back.
I rode the elevator to his floor, walked to his door, and waited for a few moments. I could hear Richard and Addison laughing together, probably playing with a toy or watching cartoons. It instantly warmed my heart, and I realized that regardless of what he said, I had made the right decision about going to his home.
I knocked on the door and waited. Richard finally opened, and our eyes met.
He looked sexier than ever, his grey streaks running through his hair and ripped chest showing in a tight t-shirt. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and I wanted nothing more than to hug him. To tell him that I couldn’t go through life without Addison and him.
When neither of us spoke for a few minutes, he smiled and said, "Annie? What, I mean, what are you doing here in New York City?”
24
Richard
Inever expected to see Annie standing at my door, but there she was, looking more beautiful than I’d ever seen. She was wearing a pale pink tweed business skirt and jacket, with pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Her delicate feet were inside of pearl-white heels, and her lengthy, black hair was pulled back in a bun. Seeing her again was like bringing the pictures on my phone to life. Between her surprise visit and having full custody of Addison, I couldn't have been happier.
It was impossible to ignore the awkward tension between us, though. I had no idea what Annie had been up to, or if she had even been thinking about me. I had a million things that I wanted to say to her at that moment, but I couldn’t find the words.
As though she were answering my unanswered questions, Annie took it upon herself to speak first.
“I had a meeting with an investor,” she said.
“Julianna gave me your address, and I hope that’s alright. Anyway, I couldn’t leave without seeing you first.”
I wanted to tell her that it was more than alright and that she could never upset me.
“Annie?”
I stepped to the side upon hearing Addison say her name, and that gave her plenty of room to run to the door with her arms stretched out. Annie bent down and scooped her up, hugging her as I watched both of them with a big smile on my face. The best part was that it wasn’t just Addison who was excited to see Annie, either.
Annie’s face lit up when their eyes met.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Annie said.
“Where have you been, Annie?”
Annie eyed me but kept on smiling, careful not to reveal too much to Addison. “Well, I’ve been working like crazy, but I’m here now.”
Addison gave her another big hug before Annie put her down. “I live with Daddy now. Mommy didn't want me anymore, but that's alright because I have a big room with lots of toys to play with!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun," Annie said, careful not to say anything negative about Heather.
"Daddy, can Annie stay for dinner?”Annie didn’t look me in the eyes when Addison asked that question. Instead, she pretended to search for something in her purse. “Please, Daddy? Please?”
I laughed a little bit and nodded. “Of course, Annie can.”
Addison screamed 'yay' and then ran to her bedroom to get some toys.
“Are you sure, Richard?”
I put my hands up and nodded at Annie. “Please don’t apologize. I’m glad you’re here, too. How did you know I was in New York City, though?”
“Well, Crystal told me that you flew out here for work. I’m not sure how she found out, although people in River Valley do like to gossip.”
That was an understatement. Despite my best attempts at sneaking away without too many people finding out, Heather knew before Danielle had told her lawyer.
“To say the least,” I replied, admiring every inch of her.
“Annie, do you like to paint?”