Page 22 of Baby Daddy

Dee narrowed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “He assaulted me when he found out I was pregnant. Social services made me press charges.” She paused for another breath. “I had to be hospitalized. I almost lost Tyson.”

“Jesus. Does Tyson know this?”

“Tyson doesn’t even know she has a father. I told her he died in a car accident just before she was born. I didn’t want her to know what kind of man he is. For all intents and purposes, he is dead to me.”

Rage filled her every word. I wasn’t sure if I should pursue the subject, but I persevered. “For how long will he be serving time?”

“Ten years. Maybe less if he gets paroled, but I doubt the badass will.”

I reflected on the fact that she hadn’t once referred to him as her ex. A question burned on my tongue. “Are you divorced?”

“We’re separated,” she answered bluntly.

“Have you thought about divorcing him?”

“Plenty. But the asshole won’t grant me one.”

“Why?”

“I think he just wants to make my life difficult and punish me for getting him sentenced. Revenge.”

“Isn’t there a law that would allow you to?”

“Wishful thinking. A felony used to be grounds for divorce in California, but it no longer is. He’s got a very shrewd lawyer named Luis Ramirez and is contesting my plea for irreconcilable differences. I can’t afford to keep paying an attorney to fight him.”

“That sucks.”

“Tell me.”

“Is it unlawful for you to see other guys?”

“The court said I can, but truthfully, I haven’t wanted to. I’ve needed to be protective of Tyson. I just don’t need another bastard to fuck up our lives. Or hurt us.”

I processed her words. Dee came with a lot of baggage. Ugly baggage. Plus, I was her boss. Temporarily, but still. A warning sign should have flashed in my mind, but it didn’t. Instead, that kiss, that incredible kiss from last night, was all I could think about. I was intrigued and attracted to her though most guys would be running the other way. I wanted to spend more time with her…get to know her better and her cute kid too.

Relationships weren’t part of my DNA. And getting involved with someone who worked for me, let alone was still married and had a kid, were hard limits for me. I finished my cheeseburger, unsure of what I was starting.

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