Page 16 of Verdict

I scoffed, planting my hands on my hips. “Are you implying something, CoJo?”

“Never,” he said innocently, grabbing the remote and flipping on SportsCenter.

Once in the bathroom, I studied my reflection.

Dark circles from late-night feedings. Hair piled messily on my head. A milk-stained t-shirt. My body was softer now—fuller breasts, stretch marks, a stomach that hadn’t quite found its way back.

But that little girl sleeping in the next room made every change worth it. I'd never envisioned myself as a mother, never thought I would have children, if I were being honest. After having Ellie though… now I couldn't imagine not being a mother. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. I felt like my life finally had purpose. It was a feeling I’d tried to chase by becoming a lawyer, but it had never quite felt like this.

I stepped into the shower and let the hot water pour over me, tension melting away. I wasn’t rushing. For once, I didn’t have to.

Maybe Cohen has a point.

Living closer would mean help—real help. Not all the time, but enough. Moments like this. Time to breathe. To reset.

My family came to Austin whenever they could, but they all had their own lives in Primrose Hill. Out here, it was mostly just me.

And Cohen.

Dammit.

I hated when he was right.

I brushed my fingertips across the quartz countertop, my gaze drifting out toward Lady Bird Lake. The view alone made this place feel unreal—plus it was easily three times the size of my apartment.

Still, I wasn’t about to make this easy for Cohen.

We were touring the apartment he wanted Ellie and me to move into—at his expense. I hated that part, even if the pros were starting to outweigh the cons.

Since he lived in the penthouse, we wouldn’t be on the same floor. This unit sat directly beneath his. The apartment had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There was a large living area that flowed straight into the kitchen. Pale quartz countertops stretched across a huge island, the cabinets a soft matte white. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the back wall, flooding the entire apartment with light.

Cohen had insisted a guest room would be helpful for when my family came to visit, and a separate room for Ellie when she was ready to move out of mine. This place felt like something out of a magazine; it was modern but warm, flooded with natural light, and—of course—faced the lake.

I drifted toward the glass, staring out at the water below. Paddleboarders moved slowly across the lake while the Austin skyline rose in the distance.

Did I mention that night how much I love the view from his place?

I turned to him. He stood near the window, rocking Ellie in his arms, his eyes fixed on me like he was waiting for a verdict.

Put a baby in a man’s arms—his arms—and I was a goner. I’d probably say yes to anything.

But I could see us here so clearly. Slow mornings on the balcony, rocking Ellie while I sipped my coffee, the lake sparkling like diamonds in the sunrise. Decorating her room in soft pastels and woodland creatures. Movie nights, snuggled up on the couch while the fire roared beneath the TV.

I sighed. “I hate to admit it, CoJo… but this place is incredible.”

He pumped his free arm in victory. “Ha! Told you,” he whisper-yelled, pressing a kiss to the top of Ellie’s sleeping head.

I rolled my eyes. “You win. How soon can we move in?”

“I may have already scheduled movers for next month,” he said nonchalantly, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Of course you did,” I rolled my eyes. “Cocky son of a bitch.”

I crossed the room and reached for Ellie. Cohen placed her into my arms, careful and gentle. I kissed her cheek, then looked up at him.

“How long is the lease for?” I asked.

“A year, but we can reassess then.”