My heart sinks. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that horrible man must’ve rented a space in this building. All the dots line up. That basket case wanted my office, and Lee is his real estate agent. Plus, what else would he be doing here with an ill-parked moving truck?

I eye the middle door suspiciously. Let’s hope he’s at least on another floor.

I’ve just carried the last box out of the elevator when my unspoken wish is crushed, as Mr. Impractical comes up the stairs with a carton box in his hands. Our eyes meet across the landing, and he gives me the stare of death. I glare right back at him, waiting until he drops his gaze.

Men, I’ve found, can be a lot like wolves; you have to show them who the alpha is right away.

Mr. Blue Eyes struggles to get his keys out of his pants pocket while holding the box in his hands, until after a few long seconds, he comes to the obvious conclusion that he should drop the box first, and then open the door. He’s finally turning the key in the lock when Tegan shuffles out of my new office, calling, “Are we done yet, Mom?”

The man’s hand stops mid-motion, and I witness the usual reaction take place on his face as he turns to me. His eyes and mouth widen in surprise at finding out I have a teenage daughter, and then a small frown appears as he no doubt starts making calculations.

She must’ve been barely eighteen when she had her, I can practically hear him thinking.

Nineteen, for your information, I silently snap inside my head.

To his credit, he’s quicker than most to hide the shock and compose his features back to normal.

Indira comes out of my new office next, defusing whatever unspoken tension has passed between me and that man. “You’re on this floor, too!” she says to him with a wide smile. “We’re finally a complete family. Great, we were getting lonely all by ourselves here on third.” She points at her office.

The man finishes unlocking his door and then moves closer to us, offering his hand to Indira.

“Dr. Lucas Keller,” he says.

What a tame name for someone with such a bad temper.

They shake hands, and he does the same with Tegan next. When my turn comes, he pointedly drops the friendly hand to his side.

Both Indira and Tegan stare at us questioningly, so I explain, “We’ve met already.”

Lucas nods, acknowledging our mutual dislike once again with the downturn of his mouth.