Page 51 of Broken Daddy

I open my mouth, but she cuts me off. “I promise I’ll let you know if all of this is too much.”

“Hmm. Okay. I’m going to hold you to that. And I insist on you taking the time to take care of whatever needs doing for you and the—”

I gesture to her belly and she slides a hand across it protectively. Then she frowns.

“You’re not…?”

“Not what?”

Gen shrugs. “I don’t know, upset? Scared? Worried?”

“I’m all of those things,” I answer honestly, leaning back against the island with my arms crossed. “But it’s not exactly new to me.”

Surprise lights her eyes, then understanding…followed by an emotion I can’t name. Her gaze cuts away as she mutters, “Of course.”

Feeling like I need to bridge the cavern between us, I offer more information.

“When Julia—my wife—told me she was pregnant, I think I almost passed out. Would’ve been a mess for her to try and drag me to the couch. I panicked pretty much the whole time she was pregnant with Eva, right up until the birth. And after that, I was scared to leave them. I took a month off work, then two. It was only when my CFO stepped in and insisted I come back that I…”

I trail off, the memories infiltrating.

All that wasted time in the city.

All those days I could’ve been with them before Julia…

I look up, meeting Gen’s eyes. I don’t want her to be scared like I was, and I don’t want her to do this alone. Not if she’ll let me help.

“I know you’ll be fine, Gen. You’re a capable woman. And whatever you need, I’m here.”

The words sink in and hesitation settles on her face. Steeling herself, she says, “Right now, all I need from you, Nate, is to not talk to anyone about this. Definitely not Russell. I don’t want to try to explain…”

She gestures between the two of us.

Howwouldshe explain it, I wonder? We’re both adults, after all, but we act like teenagers around one another. Unable to keep our hands off each other. I can’t count how many nights I’ve gone to bed or taken a shower palming an erection, fighting off the urge to conjure thoughts of her body, her mouth.

“I won’t say anything until you’re ready. He’ll notice eventually, though, you know.”

“Oh, I know. But I have a plan for that.”

It’s a cryptic response, but she doesn’t offer anything more. A comfortable silence settles between us. There will inevitably be more discussions of what the future looks like. I’ll probably keep making an ass of myself, trying to offer help she doesn’t want. Just in case.

But right now, we have an understanding.

Pushing away from the island, I fight the urge to go to her, and instead cross my arms to keep from reaching out.

“I should go get Eva.”

She nods, a hand pushing her hair behind her ear. She looks more relaxed without the ponytail, more comfortable, but still tired.

Walking out of the kitchen, I pause in the entryway and look back, trying to fight the overwhelm at what the world has in store for us when we least expect it.

“Get some rest, Gen. It’s been an exciting day for you.”

Her laugh is like water in the middle of the desert, her smile bringing relief.

“That’s one way to put it. Thanks, Nathan. Tell Eva I said goodnight.”

Chapter21

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