Page 16 of Sven

“Wow,” said Tillie as she came to sit by him. “You’re a dad.”

“Weird, right?” He smirked.

“So weird.”

“Give her these,” he said, handing his sister the puffs container.

“Do you want one of these, Winnie?” she said, holding out a puff in her palm.

Winnie smiled at her, picked up a puff from her hand, and shoved it in her mouth.

“Where’s her mom?”

“Stacie had some errands to run.”

“Does she have a car?”

“No, I let her borrow my Land Rover.”

Tillie pulled back and gave him a look.

“What?”

“You never even letmedrive your cars.”

“Well, you’re my little sister, not the mother of my child.”

“So, are you guys... you know,” she said, wagging her eyebrows.

“Tillie . . .”

That was most definitely not something he would be discussing with his little sister.

“What? I don’t want any details or anything. I was just wondering if you guys were going to have a relationship or whatever,” she said, still evaluating him.

Tillie had always been able to read him.

“No. Well . . . No.” He shook his head.

“Sven, you are not hooking up with her!? Tell me you’re not.”

“No! I’m not. I think she wants to, but I want to get all this figured out.”

Her eyes narrowed, trying to decide if she believed him.

“It’s the truth, Tillie.”

“Okay, that’s good,” she said, turning her attention back to Winnie in his lap. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m still figuring it out. I leave tomorrow for a long road trip. They’re staying here. I’ll figure out what happens when we get back. We’ll be home for a little over a week. I have a meeting with a lawyer.”

“What do you want to happen?”

He blew out a breath and ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I just want to make sure I stay in her life.”

Winnie’s eyes connected with something, and she began wiggling out of his arms and babbling. The little girl reached for something behind him.

“Hi, baby,” said a feminine voice as both turned to see Stacie standing behind them. Winnie fussed and reached for her. “I think she’s ready for a bottle and a nap. I’ll go put her down.”

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