Page 49 of Baby for my Daddy's Best Friend

I sigh. “I thought over that later, and I realize how it must have come across to you.”

“Pray tell. I’d love to know your take on it.”

She’s being aloof, and I hate it. I just want her to go back to being the same Quinn she was a week ago, but maybe I’ve lost that now.

“I get that you might have felt a little slighted with how I chose to handle that situation…”

“Might?” she challenges, her tone finally betraying the slightest hint of emotion. “Well, I’m glad that you were able to get that self-awareness, at least.”

I run my hands through my hair. “It doesn’t have to be like this. We can talk this out.”

“Oh, my bad. You can act like you’re this amazing, understanding, great guy when we’re here, away from everyone else. But the moment we step out of this, it’s business as usual, again.”

“What did you expect me to do, Quinn?” Anger flares inside of me. “Tell my kids, ‘hey, by the way, this is the woman I’m sleeping with’? I’m sure that would have been a hoot.”

“It’s better than acting like I’m nobody,”

“I never did that. Not for a second.” I take a few steps closer to her. “You know this affects you just as much as it does me. Did you really want them knowing you’re hooking up with a guy who’s old enough to be your father? Thinking what you might be trying to gain out of this?”

I can tell she’s hurt by that, and guilt immediately follows.

“I didn’t mean it like that…” I try and reach out to her.

“No. That’s exactly what you meant.” Her voice is low. “This is what you’ve been thinking of me this entire time. You just didn’t want to admit it to me.”

“That’s not true, Quinn. You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“I didn’t have to. You did that all by yourself. And now, you’re just trying to save face. But I’ll make this easy for you, you don’t have to pretend anymore. This is over.”

Her words hang in the air between us, and we’re both too stunned to speak.

I use this opportunity to move closer to her.

“You don’t mean that.” My voice drops to a whisper.

She doesn’t answer immediately.

“Do you?”

“No, I don’t.”

Somehow, we’ve found our way back to each other. Like two magnets being pulled together.

Even when you try to break them apart.

“It’s just… It’s a lot for me.”

“I know.” I pull her closer to my chest, the feel of her in my arms better than it has the right to be. “You’re not the only one.”

“I just wish that…” She sighs. “Why does it have to be so complicated?”

Our eyes lock together, and there’re no words I can use to convey what I want right now.

Her gaze drops to my lips, her breathing ragged, and I kiss her on the lips.

All the pent-up rage, all the frustration, the emotions begin to pour out of us both as we

practically devour each other’s mouth.

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