Page 77 of Forbidden Bond

“What? No!” he states. “Why would I be mad? Come on, baby.”

“But I don’t know how you’re feeling right now. Screw this, I should have told you in person.” My heart starts to race. I think I might be panicking.

“Katie, breathe,” he says, his voice warm and comforting in my ear. “It’s just a lot to think about. A baby. Damn. I wonder if she’d have your eyes,” he muses.

I let out a huge breath of relief at that and smile. “She?”

“Yeah. I want a girl. Daniel needs a little cousin to play with, anyway.”

Tears well up in my eyes because he’s taking this so perfectly. “So you wouldn’t mind? If I was really pregnant?”

“No I don’t mind. It is what it is at this point princess. But our kid’s grandfather will probably take me out.”

I love him.

The words are on the tip of my tongue. But I can’t say them to him over the phone.

“I’m coming over now,” I tell him. “I can take the test with you and we can wait for the results together.”

“Alright,” Topher rumbles. “Drive safe, baby.”

He hangs up and I smile to myself like an idiot. A few minutes ago, I was terrified out of my mind. One conversation with Topher and every doubt I’ve ever had is gone. He makes me feel like I can do anything, as long as he’s right beside me.

I buy the pregnancy test and walk out of the store much happier than I came in. But the smile on my face vanishes when my dad’s name flashes across the screen of my phone.

Shit.

“Hi, Dad,” I greet, picking up.

I lean against my car, hoping the conversation will be brief.

“Katherine,” he says. “How are you, honey?”

“I’m good.”

“Hmm. I haven’t seen you in a bit. Still staying at Jameson’s place?”

“Yes,” I answer, my voice tight. I still haven’t forgiven him for cutting off my credit cards.

I’m just glad my best friend is rich. Initially, I felt bad about spending Jamie’s money. But he has lots of it and he doesn’t seem to care. Plus, I’ve spent almost twenty-three years taking care of him. I’ll take this as my compensation.

“Really, Katherine?” my dad asks, his voice low and icy.

“Yep,” I say.

“Alright. It’s a good thing you’ve had Jamie to take care of you all this while.”

More like the other way around. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Do you plan on staying there long-term or are you coming back home. I’ll return all your credit cards. Your punishment’s over.”

My eyebrows go up. My dad never backs down. Ever. I’m immediately suspicious.

“Why?”

“Because I realized I’ve been pushing my daughter away. And I don’t want to do that anymore.”

“Okay. Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it. And for what it’s worth, I’ve been looking into some serious job opportunities.”

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