Page 101 of Broken Daddy

“And the pregnancy, yeah, he was upset at first. Not because of the baby,“ he rushes to insist. “Because…well, obviously because it’s us. But I talked to him, Gen. That’s what I’m trying to explain. We had it out, and Russ isn’t mad at you, he’s not even mad at me.”

“Hmm. Really. So you two are going to stay best buddies?” I ask sarcastically, crossing my arms and facing him.

Nate takes a deep breath.

This is different from the last time I saw him.

He’s looking right at me, with something unrecognizable in his eyes. Fierce, passionate—like he’s never going to look away.

“Our friendship is going to be rocky for a bit, probably, but we’ll recover. He got over being pissed off, because I told him I’m in love with you. And that I’d do anything for you and the baby.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks.

I’m so in shock, my emotions going haywire, I almost miss what he says next.

“Even if you’re going to Germany. I think youshouldgo to Germany. I know you want your career back, and I know it’s a top restaurant, so I’d never tell you not to go. I just…I’d like you to stay in touch. Let me pay child support, at least, so you don’t have to worry about money, and maybe when you’re settled in, Eva and I…”

He trails off. He’s totally self-conscious, his face crimson and his eyes darting nervously around the room.

“I was thinking maybe we could visit. I know you probably won’t want me there for the birth, I understand that, and I’m not asking to be involved more than you want me to, but I’d…like to. Be involved.” Another clearing of his throat. “If you’ll let me.”

That hot-slash-cold sensation that’s been running over my body like a wave settles into a steady warmth.

“You’re in love with me?”

It’s not the question he thought I’d ask. His face screws up for a second, then goes slack in affirmation.

“Yes.”

“You’rereallyin love with me. You’re not just saying this because I’m—”

I gesture at my belly. Nate doesn’t even break eye contact. He nods.

“I’m in love with you. Withyou,Gen. I have been this whole time. I’ve also been an idiot.”

I can’t fight back the grin that takes over my face.

“Youarean idiot.”

He opens his mouth, probably to ask again that I just consider his proposalof neutral parental rights, but instead, I interrupt him and say, “I’m in love with you, too, Nathan Sharpe.”

There’s only a second of hesitation before he launches himself at me, arms wrapping around my waist and tugging me in close as I laugh, completely unbalanced.

“Say it again,” he growls, nose brushing my ear.

“I’m in love with you.” It comes out like a murmur. Nate buries his face in my neck. I press myself against him. I missed this. I missed feeling safe, feeling likehis.

When he pulls back, it’s inevitable that our mouths find each other. His lips ghost over mine before diving in to capture them, a fervent kiss that leaves my knees shaking and something deep in my core swelling.

“I am an idiot,” he murmurs against my lips. “I shouldn’t have told you to leave.”

I just can’t find it in me to argue right now. All I want is for him to keep touching me, his hands roaming my back and sides as we breathe each other in before going back for more.

“You should have told me you were tellingmy brother.”

“Maybe. But like I said—he’s not upset. And once he gets over the shock, I think he’ll actually be excited.”

His hand settles between us, on my belly.

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