Page 21 of Exposed

His feet eat the distance between us until his toes touch mine. “You don’t want to share with me why you’re hiding, but don’t lie to me again. Dinner’s on me.”

I look down in embarrassment. “I don’t need to burden you.”

With one finger crooked under my chin, he lifts my face to look at him. “You’re not a burden.”

I look at him silently, not believing his words. I heard the opposite too much growing up. My childhood wasn’t filled with love or affection, but I still believe in fairytales. I’m a romantic at heart, and I’ve got faith that I’ll find love someday. Love, family, kids. I want it all.

I’ve given my heart and body to several boyfriends along the way, believing they’d love me back. Just because it hasn’t worked out yet doesn’t mean it won’t someday. The alternative mindset would be to give up on love and the good in the world, and I don’t want to do that.

“Say it, Pepper. Tell me you’re not a burden,” he says as he cradles his infant with one arm.

“I’m…” I nervously lick my lips, not believing the sentence I’m about to say. I want to believe it though, and I guess that’s half the battle.

“That’s it. Go on.” He nods in encouragement.

“I’m not a burden.”

“Good girl.” He grins and lets go of my chin. “Now. What do you want to eat?”

“Anything sounds good.” Anything other than a dollar fast food hamburger would be divine.

“Thai it is,” he grabs his cell phone with one hand while he holds his son. “I’ll see if they deliver.”

“Sounds good. Never had it.”

“Oh, you’re about to be blessed. I’ll order extra noodles. They’re the best,” he grins.

After he ends the call, his son stirs in his arms.

“Ready to wake up, Simon?” He asks him.

“You named him?” I ask.

“Yep. Simon is my grandpa’s name.” Matt rubs his finger on Simon’s palm, and Simon grips onto it with his tiny fingers.

“Have you told your grandpa yet?” I ask.

“No,” he sighs. “I need to call my family. Wanted to give Simon a chance to get used to his new digs before my parents and grandparents descend on him. He’ll be the first grandkid and the first great grandkid.”

His family must be close.

“I’ll show you his crib.” He waves me towards the hallway.

“You’ve got a crib put together already?” I ask.

“Come on,” he says with a grin and a tilt of his head for me to follow. He flips on the light in his master bedroom.

His black king bed frame is pushed against the wall, and a black wooden crib rests against the opposite wall.

“You’ve been busy today,” I comment.

“True story. Black feels masculine for the little guy.” He walks over and lays his sleepy son on the mattress. “Splurged on the mattress. It’s supposed to be good for babies’ spines.”

His self-satisfied grin is brimming with pride.

“You’ve totally embraced fatherhood,” I remark as his son fusses on the bed.

Matt picks up Simon. “Yeah. This isn’t how I imagined becoming a father, but it’s kind of magical. He’s sweet. And he looks like me.”

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