Then the door finally opens.
“Hello.”
I stare at the woman who’s answered, then glance up and down the hallway, and back at the door, checking the number. But I’m definitely at the correct door.
“Um… Hi,” I reply, bringing my attention back to her.
But it’s not her face that catches my attention. It’s her long, bare legs, and the shirt she’s wearing.
The one I bought for Denver in London.
“Are you here to see Denver?” she asks.
She’s not wearing any makeup, and her hair is tousled like she’s just gotten out of bed. Her cheeks have a glow to them.
She’s beautiful.
And familiar.
“Uh… you’re Dixie’s mom, right?” I ask, still taking her in. She looks exactly like she does in all of the photographs at Denver’s cabin. Only better. And less dressed.
“Yeah, I am. I’m Lizzie.” She smiles at me, and I force myself to return it out of politeness, when in reality I just barfed a little in my mouth.
“Mommy?”
My eyes move to the little girl who’s appeared beside her. Lizzie wraps an arm around her as the little girl looks up at me with big green eyes.Dixie.
“I’ll go and fetch Denver and tell him you’re here…?”
“Sinclair,” I offer as Lizzie looks at me.
There’s no recognition in her expression. Zero. She has no idea who I am because Denver’s obviously never mentioned me.
The realization twists at my stomach, sharp and unexpected.
My grip tightens on the coffee mugs as Lizzie leans back, keeping her hand curled around the door as she calls out Denver’s name into the apartment.
“We’re here to visit my daddy,” Dixie says, smiling at Monty as his butt wiggles at the prospect of more attention. He loves Molly and kids in general.
I loosen my grip a little on Denver’s mug, the same hand I’m holding his leash in, so he can move closer to her.
“He’s really friendly. You can pet him if that’s okay with your mommy,” I offer, my attention fixed on her, looking for more similarities to go with the green eyes.
Lizzie nods, and Dixie bends, giggling in delight as Monty licks and fusses around her.
I’m still staring at them both when Lizzie calls for Denver again.
“I’ll go and get him,” she says when he doesn’t appear.
I lift my eyes upward, but I only get as far as her bare thighs in Denver’s shirt before Dixie is ushered back inside and the door is closed in my face.
“Oh my god!” I scoff.
She really has no idea who I am. She’s probably thinking I’m some weird woman with a crush, or a jilted one-night stand who’s turned up uninvited. She’s not even comfortable enough leaving the door open as she goes to get him.
I stand like an idiot with Monty, hovering on the doorstep.
A few seconds pass before the door flies open.
