Page 90 of Broken Daddy

Downstairs, Nate is already up and reading a paper at the dining room table.

“Good morning,” he greets distractedly. He’s wearing reading glasses, which I haven’t seen before. If this was any other day, I’d make a joke, but I only smile and nod.

At the sound of Eva tumbling around upstairs with Brutus, I realize I need to come up with something quick. An inventory of the fridge and freezer seals the deal—breakfast sandwiches it is.

Fifteen minutes later, I slide a plate in front of Nathan. He glances at the sandwich and murmurs a thanks. Eva is a little more enthusiastic about her breakfast, but I see her throwing furtive glances at her dad.

Nathan isn’t dressed in black or openly mourning. I think back to the day he told me about Julia’s death. How devastating that must’ve been for him. The circumstances were heartbreaking, and Eva was so young…

“Is there anything specific you’d like for dinner?” I ask tentatively. “I was going to go shopping today.”

What are you expecting him to say?that little sarcastic voice in my head sounds.Think he has a whole dinner menu planned for something like this?

He takes off his glasses and puts the paper down, face serious but not sorrowful.

“Any ideas?” he asks Eva.

She stops chewing for a second, little blond brows furrowed. “Tacos.”

My eyebrows raise.

“Tacos?” Nathan chuckles. When Eva nods firmly, I slip out a Post-it note and jot down the makings for carnitas tacos. As I’m doing so, I don’t notice Nathan turn his attention to me.

“Think you can wait an hour or two to head out? Brutus needs another bath, and I wanted to throw a load of laundry in.”

The domesticity of the statement throws me off, and I stare at him.

“I—you don’t have to drive me, Nate, I can—”

He shakes his head. “I know it’s been quiet for a few weeks, Gen, but I still don’t trust that—” he glances at Eva, who’s been protected from the existence of the psycho stalking me “—person. I’d feel better if we all go in to the city together. Just have to make a stop at the cemetery.”

He says it so casually. My stomach knots.

“Oh, Nathan, you really don’t have to. I know it’s—” I swallow, face flushing from the awkwardness. “I know what day it is, and I don’t want to intrude on your privacy.”

Nate gives me a soft smile. His eyes move over my face. Then he plucks the shopping list from my hand and tucks it away in a pocket.

“You won’t be intruding. If you’re uncomfortable, you can stay in the car; it’ll just be a quick stop. Promise.”

He stands and inexplicably, a part of me expects him to bend down and place a kiss on my lips.

Why?Whywould I think that on a day like today?

My mind is a messy jumble as he walks away, calling for Brutus, who has no idea what he’s in for as they head for the bathroom.

* * *

The car ridefeels awkward to me, but Eva is humming along to a song on the radio, and Nate’s eyes are glued to the city streets.

Now that I’m back in the mess of it, I realize I kind of miss the hustle and bustle. But there’s an edge of anxiety to being here, too. Even in the safety of Nate’s car, my eyes dart here and there, looking for a threat.

“You okay?”

His rumble of a question makes me jump, and I realize I’ve been rubbing the little swell of my belly.

“Yeah—sorry. Just…distracted.” Trying for a friendly smile, I’m pretty sure I just look constipated instead.

His eyes track the motion of my hand.

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