Page 11 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

“I haven’t told her who you are yet.”

“Why not?” The question came out harsher and more accusatory than he’d intended. But he also admitted to being suspicious. “Sorry.” He raked his hand over his jaw. “Why ask me to come if you aren’t ready to tell her?” He couldn’t imagine anything worse than forcing this type of news on a child.

“I’ve told her some things, but I thought you’d want to be here when I told her who you are.”

CHAPTER THREE

Dimitri

“You are really hungry,” Dimitri said. He was impressed. The child had eaten a serving of roast beef, two slices of ham, and more vegetables than he’d consumed at five years old.

“Mom makes glazed ham just for me on special occasions.”

“But you can have some too.”

“Thank you.” His first thought was they didn’t have enough food, but the spread on the table was generous. “Special occasions?”

“Uh-huh,” Maddie said, swallowing her broccoli. “You know… my birthday, holidays, Sundays, and when I’ve been very good at school.”

He cut a sidelong glance toward May who kept her gaze trained on her quinoa salad. “You’ve covered all the days of the week,” he said.

“No silly. A week has seven days. Sunday is only one day. On other days, I’m a pescaty like mom.”

“Pescatarian,” May corrected, fighting a smile, before mouthing to Dimitri. “She’s not.”

“Yeah, that.” Maddie nodded.

“I see,” Dimitri murmured, although he was beginning to think Maddie enjoyed baffling him. Having a conversation with a child was akin to solving a riddle. “Did you say you’re good at school?”

“Mrs. Bell says I’m very good, but she wishes I would sit still.”

“I see,” he repeated. He recalled Maddie’s enthusiasm when she’d opened the door and wondered how much energy the child had.

“She’s smart,” May said, in reassurance. “And she's as energetic as any child her age.”

“I’m sure.” He didn’t mind Maddie’s curious or rambunctious nature and didn’t mean for his short answers to be taken as criticism. “I was the same at your age,” he offered. “I gave Alexei more than one near-death experience when he babysat.”

“Who’s Alexei?”

“He’s your— he’s my brother.”

“You aren’t a very nice brother for making him worry,” Maddie whispered the last word with a glance toward her mother who seemed content letting them run the dinner conversation.

“He might agree with you,” he whispered back.

Maddie’s eyes widened. “It isn’t nice to hurt your brother.” She sipped from her cup, then wiped her mouth along her arm. “I’ve always wanted a brother or sister but Mom says she’s glad she has me all to herself.”

May cleared her throat. She didn’t meet Dimitri’s gaze. “Speaking of family, if you’re finished with dinner, I can tell you why Dimitri is here over dessert.”

“Ice cream?”

“Chocolate chip.” May nodded. “We can even eat it in the living room.”

May’s bravado didn’t fool Dimitri. As the evening wore on, he’d seen the quiver return to her fingers and exhaustion darken her eyes. “Let me.” He took the tub from her hand.

“You’ll get ice cream on your suit.”

“I can purchase a new one.” He added three scoops to each bowl before replacing the lid on the tub. He had no idea how much sugar was too much for an energetic child before bed but he had the good sense to know he needed all the good favors he could muster. “Are you sure about this, May?”

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