Page 29 of Falling for You
“I’m sorry.” Dad narrows his eyes. “I don’t believe I heard you correctly.”
“Why don’t we just go get Mom so I only have to do this once,” I sigh, getting out of my chair, knowing I need to face the music.
“I’ll get her.” Eve hands Olivia back to me over the table.
I hold her in my arms, running my finger over her chubby cheeks before kissing each one. She is so happy I can see how Mimi K and Ems were obsessed with her after just a few hours. As scared as I am, I might be crushed if this test comes back saying I’m not the father.
“Evelyn, what is so important?” I can hear my mother walking down the hallway protesting her work day being interrupted. The heels she insists on wearing click-clacking all the way.
Evelyn is practically pushing our mother into the conference room. “Mom, will you just listen? Roman is here.”
She takes the seat that Eve occupied just a few moments earlier. Only this time I’m about to shit myself at the thought of spilling this story.
Even though I left the family business to pursue myhobbyof brewing full time, and to escape the control they held over me, it still feels like getting pulled into the principal’s office whenever they’re around.
“Mom, Dad. This is your granddaughter, Olivia Rose Thomas.” I pause, turning Olivia in my arms to face the firing squad. “I am sure you have a lot of questions but I don’t have a lot of answers. Olivia’s mother was a tourist and I didn’t know much about her. But her parents came by the brewery and said that she has passed away so Olivia needs her father, at least that’s what Blair wanted.”
“Oh, thank God. So there is still a possibility this isn’t true.” Mom breathes a sigh of relief.
“Uh… They’re twins. Do you really think she isn’t his?” Evelyn raises her eyebrows as if to question my mother’s hope.
“Babies change all the time. You never can tell when they’re only…” She looks at me to fill in the blank.
“Four months old,” I provide the answer she’s looking for.
“Oh gosh, yes, much too soon to tell. So let’s not rush around spreading this news until we know for sure.” Mom smiles, her shoulders dropping what would be considered a relaxed inch for her.
“Even if the test results aren’t as we hope, we should keep this close until we can figure out what to do about the situation. Adoption is always an option, Roman. No need to mess up your life any more than you already have.” My father rests his hand on Mom’s shoulder. Both of them are smiling like they’ve solved the world’s largest problem.
My father has been getting involved in local politics lately and I’m sure thisscandaldoesn’t need to be added to his list of infidelities that could become unearthed.
“I should know tomorrow. So how about we hold off on any more judgements until then, yeah?”
“You’ll let us know as soon as the results are in?” Mom stands to join Dad at the door, ready to leave as soon as they feel they can.
They aren’t asking from a place of caring, a place of wanting to support me and Olivia. No. They’re asking from a defensive place. Ready to take on and hide whatever needs hidden.
Without waiting for my answer they leave the conference room and Evelyn and I both wait to hear the click of Dad’s office door.
No doubt I’ll have a list of lawyers and adoption agencies in my email before I’m even out of Portland. Hell, probably before I even make it back to my truck.
“I can move home, Rome. Live with you to help you. Not like I couldn’t do my work remotely.” She closes the conference room door. “Besides getting to spend time with my niece would be anice change of pace.” Sadness crosses my baby sister’s face and the tic in my jaw automatically starts. I know it’s Neil.
“Eve, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She looks up to me with a big fake smile on her face. “Everything is great. I’m just tired from all the social events.”
I narrow my eyes at her, not believing the bullshit she just gave me. “Are you sure? There’s nothing?”
“Not a thing. But seriously, how are you going to take care of this princess if you work nights?”
“About that. Emma Keaton is moving in, right about now. She’s going to be my nanny. Since Livvy can just go to the inn with her and the cabin she was living in is under heavy demolition, it just makes sense.” I place Olivia back in her car seat. Her little lip quivers but I give her the pacifier I learned is a lifesaver and she quiets down, eyelids fluttering after her busy morning.
Eve raises a brow, pinning me with her knowing stare. “Emma, huh?”
“It’s not like that and you know it. Hunt would kill me after he rips off my balls.” I grimace at the thought. After all, I only have a month to figure out my shit.
“He’s a fucking asshole. He doesn’t get a say in anyone’s happiness.” Her cheeks flush red with anger.
