Page 55 of Snowed In with My Best Friend's Dad

"Right."

As we reached the door, Peter stepped in, rushing over to his daughter's bedside. "Miranda, you're going to be okay. Dad's here. And so are your friends."

Lindsay moved in, going to stand next to Peter. "You gave us quite a scare there."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the doorway. Miranda's tired and glassy eyes slowly moved, tracking me in the doorway. For a moment, her face was expressionless, but a second later, she tensed, everything about her moving as if she were in distress.

She lifted her palm out to me in a stay away gesture, her head shaking. "No. I don't want him here. He can't have my baby."

Lindsay and Peter’s heads swiveled toward me, probably expecting to see somebody else standing in the doorway. They both frowned and turned back to Lindsay.

"It's okay, Mira. It’s just my dad. You remember my dad, don’t you?"

But Miranda’s distress continued.

"I'll just leave." I wanted to tell Miranda I was sorry. I wanted to get on my knees and grovel for her forgiveness. But I understood that the best thing I could do for her at this moment was to leave her alone.

I left the doorway, heading back up the hall, trying to decide whether I would sit and wait for Lindsay to finish her visit or just go home. I'd only made it about ten steps up the hall when Lindsay called after me.

I stopped, gathering my wits about me before turning to look at her.

"I don't know what that was about,” she said as she reached me. “She’s just scared. Please don’t read anything into it and stop help—"

“It’s okay, Linds.” I hated that Lindsay thought I would withdraw financial support simply because Miranda couldn’t stand the sight of me. Miranda’s words came back to me.

He can't have my baby.

I realized now that no matter what, the secret would be revealed. I suspected that Miranda didn't want me involved in the baby's life and would possibly ask me to continue our agreement, to keep her secret and with that, the paternity of her baby. If I were truly an angel, I’d honor that. I’d give her everything she needed to raise the child in a stable, healthy, happy home and stay away. But as I'd already admitted, I was no angel.

There were only two things in this world that I was any good at. One of them was building a successful business, and the other was being a father. Lindsay was proof of that. There was no doubt that if I had to choose between Lindsay and anything else in this world, including my businesses, it would be her. From the moment I first held her, she had become the center.

And now, I had another child growing in Miranda's womb, and the only thing I could think about wanting was to be a father. I wanted to be there on the doctor’s visits, listening to the heartbeat, and watching the child grow as Miranda's belly swelled. I wanted to be there for the birth, seeing my child open their eyes and cry for the first time. And that unexplainable pull toward Miranda had me wanting to be by her side through it all. Through late-night feedings and diaper changes. From the first day of kindergarten through graduation.

I ran my fingers through my hair as clarity came. I knew what I wanted, and that was Miranda and the baby. I had no right to either of them. And at this point, Miranda would likely keep me as far away from her and the baby as possible. But I finally recognized that my heart wanted what my heart wanted, and I was an idiot and an asshole to continue to fight against it.

But in order to have it, I needed to come clean to Lindsay.

"How about we go to the cafeteria and get some coffee? I need to talk to you."

"Now?" She checked her watch. "I'm not late for class. But surely, you're not going to give me a lecture for not going to school when my best friend is in the hospital."

"It's not about that. It's important. It's about Miranda."

Her brow furrowed, but she nodded, and we went to the elevator, riding up silently to the floor with the cafeteria. I got us both coffee and we sat at a table.

"So, what about Miranda?" Lindsay asked when I remained silent.

From the time I told Lindsay that I needed to talk to her, I found it impossible to make eye contact with her. But now, it was time to face the truth. What was that saying? The truth will set you free.

I turned my attention to Lindsay. "I'm the father of Miranda's baby."

20

Miranda

Iawoke completely disoriented. Opening my eyes and looking around, I saw Lindsay sitting in a chair reading a magazine. Where was I?

Then it all came flooding back. The blood, the fear. Not just the fear of losing the baby to a health crisis, but to Brett as well. What had he been doing here? He had to know or at least suspect the truth.

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