Page 69 of Mountain Daddy

But being right doesn't change biology. Doesn't change the fact that the boy carries my DNA, my expressions, my instincts.

Doesn't change the fact that I want to know him. Want to teach him things. Want to be the father he's been asking about.

Want to give Lilly everything she needs so she never has to worry about rent or suppliers or whether the bakery will survive another month.

Which means I can't keep dancing around the truth.

It’s time to force the issue.

Eight-thirty p.m.Sugar and Spice goes dark.

I wait across the street until Lilly flips the sign to "Closed." Until Rosa takes Chleo and disappears around the corner. Until it's just Lilly inside, counting the day's receipts.

Then I cross the street.

Within seconds, I'm inside.

Lilly looks up from the register, and her face goes from surprise to scepticism.

"We're closed.”

"I know."

I lock the door behind me. Flip the deadbolt.

Her breathing quickens. "What do you want, Nikolai?"

Straight to the point. I've always liked that about her.

"The truth."

"About what?"

"You know what."

She finishes counting the bills in her hands. Sets them down slowly. Buying time.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Lie. Obvious lie. Her hands are shaking.

I move closer. Slow steps that eat up the distance between us.

"Chleo," I say simply.

Her face goes pale. "What about him?"

Another step. "He's mine."

"No." Too fast. Too defensive. "He's not. His father?—"

But she stops. Can’t finish her sentence.

"His father what? Where is he?"

She opens her mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

"I..." The word comes out as a whisper. "I can't..."

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