Page 12 of Roman

“I know you’re mad. And you have every right to be. I should have told you but you were so clear back then. You didn’t want to be a dad. You basically told me you were happy I miscarried.” My teeth grind together at her words. She isn’t wrong. I know what I said all them years ago. Know how big of a piece of shit I was toward her. Maybe this is my punishment. Not knowing my daughter. “I really did lose the baby. Only it wasn’t just one baby it was two.” I turn her way now. Her eyes are glassy from unshed tears. “It’s called vanishing twin. I didn’t find out until I went to see a doctor, and by then you had already let me know how you felt about it all.” I can’t find words. Not a one and if I did, they wouldn’t be something she would want to hear. I can’t give this woman what she deserves. I knew that back then and I still know it now. If I gave in and loved her the way a woman is supposed to be loved, it would only end up hurting her in the end. I would break her even more than I have already. She doesn’t need more of my worthless affections.

“Get some sleep Pria.” I walk away from her and the house, wondering if she will go back inside or follow me. When the sound of the door slamming shut echoes in the night, I have my answer.

* * *

The sun is just startingto peek up over the horizon behind me when soft footfalls hit the dock. I couldn’t sleep for one second last night and I know I will be regretting it today. “My mom keeps a picture of you in a drawer next to her bed.”

“Does she?” I turn to face Rhylee. Now all cleaned up I can see her clearly. Her face is similar to the one in the picture I have of her, but with her right in front of me, she seems smaller. More delicate. Much like her mom when I first met her.

“I was looking for something one day and came across it. When I asked her about it, she only said that you were an old friend. I never saw that picture again.” Her hands are at her sides and as she walks closer she makes fists with them, then they smack together. “So, are you… like… my dad or something?”

“Dad would imply that I raised you kiddo and I didn’t do that.” I stand from the small bench I spent the night on and attempt to stretch my stiff muscles. “Does your mom know you came out here? She will freak the fu… hell out if she wakes up and you aren’t around.”

“You can swear in front of me. I’m not a baby.”

“But you are.” I level her with a stare then start walking past her.

“So, are you my dad or not? I look exactly like you. Same skin color same hair color. Same eyes,” she says following behind me.

“Look kid. I don’t know what it is you want from me but whatever it is you are going to be sadly disappointed. Do we have the same DNA? Sure, that makes me your dad. Other than that?” my head drops down in my hands. “I’m just the guy who got you away from the bad guys.”

“I can settle for that.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she comes up closer to me. Then she does something I wasn’t expecting. She loops her arm through mine and walks with me the rest of the way back to Stan’s house.

13

Pria

“Take this right.” I point to the street for Roman to turn down. “This one. You can park there.” The fact that my car is in Rhino doesn’t bother me one bit as I step out of the rental Roman got this morning. All I’m thinking about is being home again with my little girl.

“Nice place,” Roman offers as he follows behind us. It isn’t much. Just a small apartment near the beach but to Rhylee and me it is everything.

“I’m going to need to call Mike he is probably ready to fire me.”

“He can’t fire you mom. You are the best he has. And besides what kind of jerk fires their girlfriend?” I pause at her words and glance back to see if Roman heard them. Then I mentally kick myself because it really isn’t any of his business. There is no reason for him to have an opinion.

“One of the prospects will be bringing down your car. It should be here in a couple of days. I’m going to go and return the rental. Then catch a flight home,” Roman says as he tosses the small duffle bag I got from Steven yesterday onto the kitchen table.

“You can’t leave already,” Rhylee complains stepping closer to him.

“Rhylee. Roman is a busy man. He doesn’t have time to stay.”

“At least stay for dinner. Mom can we get chicken at that place I like?” my little girl pleads, giving me her best puppy eyes. After everything she has just gone through, I don’t have the heart to tell her no. My gaze darts over to Roman who is looking her over as if amazed then his attention comes my way.

“I do like chicken.”

“Fine.” I plaster a smile on my face. “I will call in an order.” I suppose the least I can do is feed the man. He did however just rescue my daughter. Or… our daughter.

* * *

“You are very right.This chicken is the best in the world.” Roman finishes off the chicken leg he was just munching on and tosses it on his plate full of chicken bones.

“Told you,” Rhylee beams at him. I want so much to tell her not to get her hopes up when it comes to Roman but I force myself to stay quiet. I know how much she has been craving a father in her life. Even going as far as to actually like Mike. I’m not even sureIlike Mike. As if the man himself knew I was thinking about him a knock comes from the door, then it opens up wide, not even bothering for an answer to the knock. Mike walks in holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Pria, I have been worried sick. And you little girl.” Mike narrows his gaze on my daughter. “It’s good to see you home. Your mother has been worried sick.” The scraping of a chair fills the space of the house as Roman stands up from the table.

“You must be the boyfriend.” Roman steps over toward Mike, extending his hand.

“I’m Mike. And who might you be?” The question is for Roman but Mike looks right at me as he asks.

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