Page 44 of Broken Boss Daddy

Grant nodded and looked away. “When you told me, I thought you were lying. I couldn’t wrap my head around why you would lie about such a thing. Then when I figured you were telling the truth, I couldn’t believe the woman I had become so attached to would lie straight to my face.”

I dropped my gaze in shame.

“It hurt me, Jess, beyond anything comprehensible. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Firstly, it was because I didn’t know if you were going to stay. Then the more time we spent together, the harder it was for me to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you. It was selfish, I know, but I knew the moment I told you that, anything that came before that would cease to exist.”

Neither one of us spoke for a while. There was nothing for him to say to that or for me to defend myself. We both knew everything I did was to protect our daughter, even if there was a bit of selfishness involved.

“I want to be a part of Abby’s life,” Grant said. “I want the chance to get to know my daughter.”

“I’m scared,” I confessed.

“Of what?”

“Of letting someone into Abby’s life if they won’t stay for good.”

“Jess, I’m going to prove myself worthy of being in her life. You’re going to wish you could get rid of me.”

I laughed at his joke, though he wasn’t actually joking. Settling down, I admitted, “Grant, I’m not ready to introduce a strange man to Abby and say he’s her father. For the longest time, it’s just been the two of us so it’s hard for me to let someone into our lives. But I want you to get to know each other because every little girl deserves the chance to have a wonderful father.”

“Okay. I’d be okay with that for now.”

I smiled and rubbed his arm. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re going to be wonderful with her.”

“Thank you, Jess. For giving me the chance, and for talking this out with me. I’m willing to go at any pace you want and will follow your lead. I just want the chance to be a part of your lives.”

Grant and I agreed we would give it a go at him and Abby getting to know each other before telling her he is her father. It was the best compromise all around, and what would end up being the best thing for us as well.

However, we also spoke about where our personal relationship would go from there. As much as I wanted to pick up where we left off, Abby needed to be our main focus. So knowing our daughter was the most important thing, we put our relationship on hold.

Whatever might happen after that, would happen for the best.

Chapter 20: Grant

One, two, three.

I counted the number of steps I took in one direction before switching and counting them again.

The sidewalk outside the same park I met Jess in a couple of days ago had never looked more interesting to me. The repetitiveness of it helped calm my racing nerves and took my mind off what was about to happen.

My palms were sweating, and I was pretty sure I chose the wrong shirt.

Shaking that idiotic thought out of my head, I inhaled deeply and told myself to calm down. Besides, what child would care about a shirt?

Yet, I couldn’t help worrying about every little detail because my life was about to change again in the next few minutes.

For the first time, I’d be meeting her.My daughter.

It all still seemed so surreal to me. The fact that I actually had a daughter, and with Jessica, blew my mind. I’d had a couple of weeks to get used to the idea. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it.

Dammit!I should not have thought about Jessica.

My focus was on Abby, but whenever I thought about her mother, I got all worked up. In a perfect world, I’d have both of them. But for now, I had to be happy with just getting this time with my daughter.

I understood, and agreed with, Jess’s hesitation about continuing our relationship while I got to know Abby. Honestly, pausing our relationship was the right call before we went and messed everything up by having all of it too soon.

There would be no argument from me about how I’d always been an impulsive person. Just look at how I felt about a one-night stand as an example. So knowing that about myself, I would want us to be family before anyone was truly ready for it.

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