Page 29 of Sweet on You
“Honestly, they didn’t really give me any indication one way or another. I can tell you… they seemed genuinely happy that you were coming forward. Whatever that’s worth.” Brady put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight. But just know that it may all happen quickly. We could also be in negotiations for months. It totally depends. But if Sarah’s parentsdon’twant full custody, you might get Olivia sooner than you’re expecting. My understanding is that they’re older and are raising Olivia because they have no other choice. They obviously love her, but here’s what I know: if my parents were in their shoes? They would much rather be grandparents than parents at their age.”
My knee was moving independently of the rest of my body, bouncing up and down. I hopped to my feet and resumed pacing my living room floor. “How soon do these things tend to happen?”
Brady shrugged. “I hate to make a guess because they vary wildly depending on how congenial the guardians are. I’ve seen custody battles dragged out for months—even years. And I’ve seen cases wrapped up in one hour once paternity is established.”
“I-I don’t even have a room for her here,” I said, gesturing around. “I don’t have furniture—a bed for her to sleep in. I don’t have toys for her to play with. I don’t even have any kid-friendly movies to put on.” I paced to the window where Lana shushed me.
“Easy, Lex. Tony and I can help. We can set up a crib for Olivia in your bedroom. And what about the attic space? Could you finish that and turn it into a second bedroom?”
I took a deep breath. “Maybe.” Not that I had the money for a renovation right now.
“And I’m sure her grandparents will send her to you with her own toys,” Lana added.
“And as for movies,” Tony said, “Hell, that’s what Netflix is for.”
“I’m sure we’re getting ahead of ourselves here,” Brady said.
I took a deep breath. They were right. They were all right. Including Brady. Step one was simply going to the arraignment and getting a feel for what sort of relationship I’m in for with Sarah’s parents. They might hate me. They might make this hell for me.
“Will Olivia be there tomorrow?” I asked.
“They weren’t going to bring her,” Brady said. I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment and fell back, leaning against the same table as Lana was.
Then, Brady smiled. “But when they learned you were coming, they agreed to some sort of meeting. Just not inside the courthouse. They don’t want her to see her mom inside the courtroom. But they said they want you to meet her yourself.”
“I-I’m g-going to meet my baby girl? Tomorrow?” Brady’s grin widened. Beside me, I heard Lana squeal. She grabbed me and hugged me hard.
“Lex, I am so happy for you!”
For two years, I had managed to keep myself calm through most of this ordeal. But the release I felt in this moment made it impossible to hold the tears back and they spilled from my eyes, distorting my vision.
Tony stood up from the chair as Frost jumped down. “Sorry, Frost,” he said. “But I’ve got to get up for this one.”
I crossed the space between us and Tony grabbed me, hugging me hard with a few masculine slaps to the back. “Congrats, man,” he said. And hell if his voice didn’t crack as he said that.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket and I tugged it out to look at the text from Seth. My heart sunk as I read that he couldn’t come in until noon.
“What?” Lana asked. “What’s the matter?”
“I only have one employee and he… he can’t fill in for me tomorrow morning.” I scrubbed my palms over my face. “I guess I could just close for the day. One day isn’t going to kill my business.”
Though, it certainly wouldn’t help matters, either.
“Lana and I can open the café for you,” Tony said. “Do you have enough baked goods to get us through most of the day?’
I nodded. “I always pre-bake a few batches of the popular items.” I sniffled and swiped the backs of my hands over my damp cheeks. “Thank you so much. For everything. Why don’t you both sleep here? Take my bedroom and I can sleep on the couch. That way, you don’t have to drive back into Maple Grove at the asscrack of dawn.”
Tony groaned. “How early we talking here? When does that café open?”
“Six.” I winced as his groan got louder.
Lana waved him off. “Don’t listen to him, Lex. We’ve got this. The bakery should be the last thing you’re worrying about. Go get some sleep. You have an early morning tomorrow.”
“She’s right, Lex,” Brady said, standing. I took his glass and set it in the sink along with Tony’s. Lana was still sipping what was left of her wine. “Get some rest.”
“I will,” I said, walking Brady to the door. “I’ll just need to pick up my car from a friend’s house first.”
It was only eight o’clock, definitely early enough to run back down to Ronnie’s house and get it. Brady and I shook hands and I closed the door behind him, opening the Uber app on my phone.
