Page 201 of Accidental Theirs
“And she’s going to chooseyou? An aging playboy?”
“Jesus, Richard, tell me how you really feel.” I know he’s just angry, but it stings. I get up, standing my ground. “And the thing is, Richard, I love her. We all do.”
“All?”
“I know the other two potential fathers. We all want her, Richard. We all want to make her happy.”
He looks at me incredulously. “You said there’d never be another after Sophie.”
Thatstings most of all, and I take in a hitched breath.
“Well, yeah, I thought so. But then I met Olivia and... I don’t know, Richard. I just want her.”
“And fuck the consequences? Our friendship?”
“That's not what I want. I want us to stay friends, Richard.”
He puts a hand to his face, still not having stood up. “This is crazy. You slept with my daughter, for God’s sake.”
“But I love her. Remember that. It’s important.”
“Why is it important?”
“Because I want to be hers. And you’re going to have to accept that, because you love her, too. She’s the apple of your eye, don’t try to deny it.”
“I never could. She’s so much like Yvonne,” he says quietly. “And I guess I should be happy that you’ve found someone. Gives me hope.”
“Okay, then. We’re friends?” My face aches where he hit me.
He stands up, shaking my hand. “Friends.”
I stay for a while longer, making small talk, and then I immediately head to Olivia’s, hoping she’ll be there.
When she opens the door barefaced in a pair of basketball shorts and a camisole, I smile down at her fondly.
“Sebastian?” She gasps. “I wasn’t expecting you.” She touches her hair, embarrassed.
“You look beautiful.” I kiss her forehead and walk further inside, letting the door shut behind me.
“I look like hot garbage.” She chuckles. ”But I'm glad you’re here.”
“Me too. Needed to talk to you.”
“Sebastian—”
“No, I really need to get this out. I talked to your father this morning and told him my intentions.”
“Your intentions? Is this the nineteenth century?” she drawls.
I chuckle. “No, nothing like that. I just wanted him to know that I’ll be here. No matter what happens.”
“Even if the baby isn’t yours? Even if?—”
“No matter what. If the sky falls down, I’ll be right next to you and the baby to protect you.”
“Oh, Bash... what about... Sophie...” She looks away.
“Sophie was the love of my life. No one will ever replace her. But what we have, Olivia, it’s real and it’s strong and I want it. Forever.”
