Page 177 of Darling Obsession

“You know, it really was an act, in some ways,” I admit. “I think I’ve worked really hard to present this version of myself that seems perfectly in control all the time, to overcompensate for my shortcomings.”

“But your dyslexia is not a shortcoming. In some ways, I bet it’s even become your superpower. You had to find ways to work around it, right? You ran into problems, you learned how to find creative solutions. You figured out how to excel. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t dyslexic. Because it makes you see the world in a different way, and maybe that way is beautiful.”

I take that in, and I can’t refute it. “You have a beautiful way of making sense of things, Quinn Monroe.”

“Thank you.” She blows out a breath. “But believe me, I’m scared, too. Why do you think I work so hard? And I’m so fiercely independent? I’ve always feared being left alone. I don’t have siblings. It’s just me and Mom. And if Mom…”

“You don’t have to think like that,” I tell her. I place my hand gently on her little belly. “We’re all here right now. All four us. Together. Well, five, if you include the cat.”

She smiles at me. “Five of us. I like that.” She kisses me on the cheek.

“Jesus. How did I suddenly get a family of five?” I mutter. “Ten seconds ago, I was a bachelor.”

Quinn narrows her eyes at me. “Please. You haven’t been a bachelor since the moment you laid eyes on me.”

I gaze at her. “That’s weirdly true,” I admit.

“And you should really give yourself credit where it’s due. Because you’re already a great father. You’re doing it by showing up, taking care of me and the baby. And I hope our child is just like you, in so many ways.”

“I’d much rather they be like you.”

“I don’t think we get to pick…”

“It’s okay. It’s going to work out either way.”

“How do you know that?” she asks me softly, and I know she’s looking for reassurance.

So I tug her a little closer, and answer her as honestly as I can. “Because I think this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever felt like I have everything I need. And if that’s true, then no matter how imperfect I am, I know I’ll have a lot to give.”

She smiles thoughtfully.

“What?”

“This is what gives me hope for us, Harlan. Alone, each of us is a bit of a hot mess, in our own way?—”

“A bit?” I tease.

She narrows her pretty eyes at me. “But together, we somehow work, don’t you think?”

“I hope so.”

“Good. Then let’s be perfectly imperfect together. We’re family now, Harlan, no matter what happens. You’ll always be the father of my baby.”

I brush her soft hair from her cheek with my fingers, and cup her jaw. “There are going to be so many more cakes,” I promise her. “So many reasons for celebrating, together. Including Lorraine’s next birthday.”

She sniffles, fighting back tears. “I hope so.”

“And I know you like it here. But I was wondering if you and Lorraine would move into my house with me. You’d really be helping me out. It could really use a woman’s touch. I don’t even have a Christmas tree up. It’s sad.”

She swipes a tear from her eye. “I noticed.”

“Lorraine can have her own suite. She can even have an everything room. And we can make a nice room for the baby.”

“When were you thinking?”

“Yesterday.”

She laughs.

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