Page 40 of Solid Ground

“I didn’t know you were dating,” Mum says.

I bite my bottom lip. “Well, the thing is, that I’m not.”

They exchange a glance, and I roll my eyes.

“Are you okay with this?” Dad says. “Do you need to come home?”

I fight a smile. He asks me this every time we talk no matter how good or mundane the news is I have for them. Deep down, he just wants me back under his roof.

“No, I’m fine. I’ve still got to the end of my contract to work through. Besides, this year the workload is winding down, so I’ll be working from home all the time.”

He nods slowly.

“What about the father?” Mum asks. “Is he … in the picture?”

Breathing out a long, slow breath, I choose my next words carefully. “He is. Actually, he just moved in with me yesterday because he wants to be there for us.”

“Oh.” Mum frowns. “So you are seeing him?”

I shake my head. “No, we’re not together. But he wants to do right by the baby. I told him he didn’t need to, but?—”

“The man clearly has his head screwed on straight. Are we going to meet him?” Dad asks.

I shrug. “Maybe? I’m not sure when.”

“This all sounds very weird.” Mum and Dad exchange another glance, and I fist my hands.

“I had a one-night stand with him. That was all it was supposed to be. And I told him he didn’t have to be there for us, and I could do it alone.”

Mum gasps.

“There’s something else I should tell you,” I continue. “Eventually something will come out about it because of who he is. He’s an actor—Declan O’Leary.”

Dad’s brows rise and Mum’s eyes widen.

“He’s a movie star?” she asks.

I nod. “He is.”

“I’m sure I’ve read stories about him in the magazines. Is he really who you want as your baby’s father?”

I roll my eyes again. “It’s not like I chose this. It just … happened. And Declan’s a good guy. Like I said, I gave him an out, but he didn’t take it.”

Dad sets his jaw. God only knows what he’s thinking. Declan’s just ten years younger than my father—Declan’s 45 to Dad’s 55. They’re closer in age than Declan and I am, and I’m sure the second we’re off this call, he’ll be searching for anything he can find on him.

“I usually trust your judgement, but are you sure?”

I nod. Even if I have doubts, I’m not about to admit them to my parents. Will Declan stay the course? I have no idea. Maybe if I knew him better I might be more confident, but I’m not and I’m not sure how a man who’s led such a big life would be content playing house with me.

“We have to work this out for ourselves. I love you guys, and I wanted you to know that you’re going to be grandparents, so please trust me to do what’s right?”

Dad frowns and Mum nods. I’m not sure I can win this battle.

“So, uhh, other than that, work has been really good. My workload was going to be a lot lighter these next few monthsanyway, and at the end of the year I’ll decide what I’m doing next. Although I’ll have the baby by then and I’m sure I’ll be busy with other things.” I laugh, trying to lift the mood.

“I’m happy for you,” Mum says. Dad stands and walks away, and I let out a sigh. “Give him some time, Zoe. He’ll come around. Whatever happens, you know we’re here for you.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I just wish he’d treat me like an adult.”

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