---- himself. "We'll check out the best donut spots in Greystone sometime. I'll grab some for them then." Clara asked, "Did you find a real estate agent yet?" Aaron looked at her. "You sure you don't wanna think about it some more?" Clara waved him off. "Nope, decision's made. I don't like hassle. When I was a kid and summer break came around, all my friends were out having fun while my mom dragged me here to clean. Just thinking about it makes my scalp itch. And I don't have a daughter-Leo's just like me. He won't want to deal with any of this. I'm not going to live here, so what's the point? Might as well sell it." A daughter, huh? If she had one, would she have kept this place? That one comment made Aaron's heart stutter-but he kept his expression completely calm. "Realtors aren't great for privacy. I've got a friend who can help. He's well connected. Don't worry-I'll handle everything. Any price range you're thinking?" "Not really. Just go with whatever the market says." Clara glanced over at the two massive suitcases on the floor and sighed. "I didn't think I had that much stuff. Kept packing and now the suitcases are totally full." Aaron stared at her slightly parted, glistening red lips. His voice dropped low and seductive. "Beg me. I'll fix it ---- for you." Clara lowered her voice too, her tone even softer and flirtier. "You want me to beg for this?" Her eyes sparkled like silk threads, playful and teasing. She leaned in, paused just a few inches away, and gave him a smoldering look. "Okay... how do I beg?" Aaron smirked. "Any way you want." Clara inched even closer, stopping just short of touching him. She locked eyes with him-hers shimmering with warmth and mischief. Her voice stretched out like honey. "Then... Counselor, I'm. begging you. Help me out, will you? Like that?" Aaron's breathing hitched. His fists clenched involuntarily, ears burning hot. His heart thudded wildly in his chest as heat flickered behind his eyes. His voice dropped an octave. "Perfect. But if you could say it again... with a different title, it'd be even better." Clara switched gears. "Aaron, please, I'm begging you-help me out! That work?" "There's another title that'd be even better..." he said, eyes filled with hope. "You know-the one printed on a marriage certificate." Clara finally broke. She shoved him playfully. "Go deal with it already! Or I'm not feeding you dinner tonight" ---- Then she turned and disappeared upstairs to change. Aaron couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. It burst out loud and clear-so loud it echoed all the way up the stairs. Once he checked the time, he called the movers. The luggage was picked up in no time. Then they headed to the airport. By the time they touched down in Greystone, it was already past eleven. Clara checked in with Sierra, and Sierra told her Leo was already asleep-so they agreed to meet the next morning. Matt drove Clara and Aaron back to Riverbend Villas. Clara felt guilty. "Sorry for making you come out so late. You've gotta come by for dinner sometime, okay?" Matt caught a glimpse of his stone-faced boss in the rearview mirror and silently sighed. Still, at least the boss's wife was a sweetheart. He put on a professional smile. "No problem at all. Happy to help!" Clara finally flopped down onto her big, soft bed-ready to catch up on some serious beauty sleep. She let out a blissful sigh. God, this feels amazing. She'd only lived there a few months, but it was already ---- starting to feel like home. Matt, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. Aaron made him stay behind to finish some extra work. He didn't clock out until after 2 a.m. The guy practically cried on the way home. The next morning, Clara got up early and brought breakfast to Sierra's place. The moment Leo opened his eyes, he ran straight into her arms, ecstatic beyond words. He hadn't seen his mom in days and was absolutely buzzing with excitement. He kissed her left cheek, then the right, hugged her, clung to her, wouldn't let go-and Clara's heart just about burst from all the sweetness. But barely two minutes into their reunion, Leo piped up, "Mommy, can I stay at Elsie's again tonight?" Clara swore she could hear her own heart shatter... "We've already imposed on Ms. Sierra for so many days," she said gently. "How about next time, okay?" Leo looked a little bummed. "Okay..." But the disappointment didn't last long-soon he was grinning again, holding hands with Elsie as they headed off to kindergarten.