Page 6 of The Best Bad Decision

“I don—”Pull yourself together, Amie.

“Why did you leave?” He suddenly interrupts my attempts to speak. “That night, why did you leave? Why didn’t you stay?”

Uh oh.

“I have a daughter,” I blurt. It comes out of nowhere, a projectile word vomit that hits him square in the face. It has his eyes widening and his eyebrows practically in his hairline. That isnothow I planned to break the news. He doesn’t say a word, so after a moment, I continue.

“She’s yours.”

The aftershock gets him right in the gut. He splutters then, choking on his coffee and quickly wiping at his mouth with a napkin.

“I—but—I—we—we used condoms,” he argues weakly. “Are you—”

My blood cools, frost seeping through my skin and into my veins. I’ve heard it before. I’ve heard the speculation: single woman, one night stand, trapping a man into a relationship by getting pregnant. Or worse, the whispers that Maisy’s dad could be one of any number of previous partners. In my job, I must have a plethora of men in every city around the world.Are you sure she’s mine?With those green eyes? Yeah, I’m pretty sure.

Before he can say the words, I jump in.

“I guess one broke.” I wrap my arms around my torso, suddenly cold despite the warm spring air from the open door nearby. I hear the snap in my tone and I wish I could take it back. I wish I hadn’t said a word. I wish I hadn’t run into him again. I wish, I wish, I wish—

“Is she—I mean—does she—does she know? How is she?”

“No,” I answer. I relax just a little. He doesn’t seem angry. Overwhelmed, certainly, but who wouldn’t be with that kind of bomb? “She doesn’t know… I haven’t told her anything. She’s only three years old.”

His eyes soften.

“I just—fuck,” he swears. I never meant to hurt him like this—I never meant to keep her from him. She’s never been a secret. My heart breaks as he whispers, “I don’t want her to think I don’t care.”

“Her name is Maisy,” I supply after a moment of quiet. It’s an olive branch of sorts, a peace offering. It’s not much, but it’s the best I have. I exhale shakily. “And she’s perfect. I would never let her think you don’t care. She’s the most loved little girl in the world. I just—I didn’t know how to tell you. I had no idea how to find you. I didn’t even knowyour full name…” I’m rambling, eyes cast down at the table. He reaches across the table and takes my hand, squeezing my fingers once.

“We didn’t exactly share much, did we?” he says with a small chuckle. “Besides the physical. Not a lot of talking happened after we left the bar…”

“No, we didn’t,” I agree. “But I never wanted to keep her from you. Please believe that. If I’d known how—I would’ve told you. She deserves that.Youdeserve that.”

“Fuck,” he whispers on a harsh exhale. “A daughter? Fuck.I have a daughter.”

His clover eyes connect with mine and I can see the thousands of emotions swirling deep within them.

“Yeah,” I say quietly, after a moment. “She has your eyes.”

“I think we need to start again,” he laughs. It’s weak, his voice a hoarse whisper and his laugh holding a hint of mania, but it’s encouraging nonetheless. I lift my gaze and return his smile as best as I can.

“Hi, I’m Camden Whitehouse. Everyone calls me Cam.” He introduces himself. He releases my fingers and holds out his hand for a handshake. I take it and hold it a little longer than necessary.

“Amie Caine,” I return his introduction. “Do you wanna see a picture of your daughter?”

five

Cam

Ihave awhat?

My heart simultaneously climbs into my throat and falls out of my ass at the revelation, and my mouth is drier than the Sahara. Adaughter?

I think back to that night. Flashes of memories, like frames from the cutting room floor. Amie beneath me, riding me, pressed up against the shower tiles, on her knees, standing above me whileI’monmyknees—

Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be in the top two percent.

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