Page 65 of Broken Daddy

Indecision swirls in my belly as I think of how the last week and a half has changed things. Something shifted after we found out I was pregnant. Things became more serious, more tenuous.

I’ve been walking a tightrope with Nathan Sharpe since the moment we ran into each other at the gallery and I realized that he was my brother’s best friend. Not once did I expect the one-night stand to turn into anything more, but all of a sudden, I can’t help wondering…

What if it did?

What if I wasn’t just passing through, planning for a future in another country? What if I told him about leaving and he asked me to stay? What if I had the baby and we raised it together and I got to watch Eva be a big sister?

What if—

Nate shifts, ribcage expanding in a relaxed breath.

This isn’t yours,the voice reminds me insistently.It could all be gone in an instant.

Chapter26

Nathan

The sweet, melodic sound of Cyndi Lauper’s “All Through the Night” is what I wake to early Monday morning. It’s playing low, so low I almost don’t catch it as I groggily turn over and blink awake.

All through the night

I’ll be awake and I’ll be with you

Slipping out of bed, I pad to the hallway and poke my head out.

Oh, all through the night today

Knowin’ that we feel the same without sayin’

I’m down the stairs, sleep still dogging me, head fuzzy with dreams. I can almost grasp them…someone laughing. Then I hear her singing and turn the corner into the kitchen.

Gen stands at the stove in a cutoff T-shirt and high-waisted pants. The relaxed fit shouldn’t be flattering, but it is, somehow. As is the messy ponytail swaying along with the song as she sings quietly.

I lean against the wall, soaking it in. It can’t be much later than dawn. The light coming through the French doors and windows is gray, the room’s edges blurred. It’s almost like a dream.

And then I realize—I’ve been dreaming of her.

Gen turns, a hand spoon in her hand, and lets out a startled yelp. I chuckle at her reaction, sliding a hand over my mouth to hide it.

“Nate! Oh man, you scared me. Oh—I’m sorry, did I wake you up?” She’s whispering loudly, scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese in the pan behind her. I can smell toast and fresh orange juice. When was the last time I had fresh orange juice?

“No, don’t worry about that. I woke myself.”

Stepping into the room, it hits me. This is the life we could have.

I could wake up every morning to this—Gen cooking all of us breakfast, singing mediocre rock songs, annoyingly awake at 6 a.m.

“Eva has her art lessons today, right? I thought I’d just get breakfast started and pack her a lunch.”

My heart is pounding as I try to make sense of what’s real, what could be, and what I want.

What do I want?

I want her.

The smile falls from my face. I step back, clearing my throat.

“The ultrasound appointment is today, right?”

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