Page 19 of Accidental Baby Daddy

“She doesn’t like me. She said I have a big head.”

I snorted but managed not to laugh out loud that time.

“You may have to let that one go, then, kid,” I said sympathetically. “What do you say we eat ice cream tonight?”

“With peanuts?”

“Definitely with peanuts. And chocolate syrup.”

Trent perked up after that, and later that night, while we were eating ice cream, he leaned against me.

“I love you, Daddy,” he said quietly, and my heart swelled. I love Trent more than I’ve ever loved anyone.

“I love you, pal,” I told him, kissing the top of his head. He fell asleep before the movie we were watching was over.

Granny called about ten minutes later, presumably to tell me how the conversation with Lexie went. I felt oddly nervous when her name popped up on my phone screen.

“I offered her the cabin. And a job.”

“Did she take both offers?”

“Oh, she was overjoyed,” Granny said quickly. “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her it was your idea. But she did insist on paying rent once she gets on her feet.”

“I’m glad she accepted,” I muttered.

“Why didn’t you marry that girl? You two were like peas and carrots growing up.” She was right, we were. We were practically attached at the hip everywhere we went.

Until... well, until it all went sideways.

“Young love doesn’t always last, Granny.”

“I guess you’re right about that.”

“I should go. Keep me updated on how she’s doing. I’ll stay away from the cabin, so she doesn’t put two and two together and figure out it’s on my property.”

“All right. I love you, Ollie.”

“I love you, too, Granny,” I said warmly, hanging up the phone. I let out a long sigh of relief. I was glad that Lexie had somewhere to call home, even if it was most likely temporary. From the way she talked the other night, it didn’t sound like she was staying in town long. I knew she would be happy to get away from her sister again and get back on her feet. It was only a matter of time before she left.

Would it break my heart? Maybe. I couldn’t say that it’d ever officially mended after she left, to be honest.

I saw him sometimes around town, the guy who helped ruin my life. Tristan Scott. He’d been my best friend until... well.

Until.

But I couldn’t think about that. I needed to focus on helping Lexie Tripp so that she could get the hell out of town and out of my life. For good.

Sleeping with her had been a slip. A big one. But I wasn’t going to let myself fall back in love. If I did that, there was no guarantee that what happened when we were younger wouldn’t happen again.

I glanced out the window, seeing my Granny pull up with Lexie, giving her a tour of the cabin. At one point, Lexie glanced up at my house and I froze, but I didn’t think she could spot me in the window from that far away.

Granny distracted her and quickly led her into the cabin.

Lexie Tripp was going to be living just a few hundred yards away. That should probably worry me more than itdid, but I had to admit that I wanted to see where things went.

Lexie was like a drug to me, and I’d relapsed.

Only time would tell how long it would be before everything went topsy turvy all over again.

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