Page 53 of Fumble Into the End Zone

We buzzed the guy into the lobby and watched as he stood by the half-moon shaped desk. Jinx, our receptionist, left early on Fridays, but she always set the automatic locks on the doors. I stood beside the black cloth sofas, leaving a space between us.

“Mia Robinson?” he questioned, and I confirmed my identity with a head nod.

“You’ve been served.”

He handed me a manila envelope and left before I could ask any questions.

“I’ll give you a few minutes. Let me know if you need me,” Scott said and left me alone.

I flipped over the envelope to see the Houston Family Court division. Opening the prongs, I pulled out the paperwork. The first page was a notarized letter.

“Marcus Allen gives Mia Robinson power of attorney over Harley Mae Robinson to make medical and educational decisions. Mia Robinson has been added to the Perry Elementary pick-up and check-out lists…”

It acknowledged a review for guardianship in six months and pending adoption at marriage.

My hands trembled as I continued to read the documents. I covered my mouth as I sauntered in a happy unbelievable daze to my office. After shutting the door, I leaned against it and readthe paperwork again. I bit back the tears as they welled in my eyes. Marcus did something for me Nathan refused. I accepted his break baby and raised her for two and a half years. He wouldn’t list me on anything, while Marcus had known me for all of two weeks and trusted me with his daughter.

What the fuck was I doing with Nathan?The vibration of my phone caused me to jump. Marcus’s name flashed as I removed it from my back pocket.

Marcus

I’ll give you two hours to pack

I scrambled as I swallowed hard.

Me

Marcus, you can’t give me this kind of power

Marcus

You made me a promise, Mia.

I tilted my head back on the heavy wooden door and laughed at his statement. By the pool, I told him I would move in. Shit, he continues to one-up me. I blew out hard and relaxed my shoulders.

Me

Mrs. Allen is not going to go for us shacking up.

He wasted no time texting me back.

Marcus

Nice try. You’re stalling. Cleared it already with Granny.

A knock on the door stole my attention. I stepped away and turned the knob to find Scott.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s damn near perfect,” I said and tucked the document behind my back.

He gave me a suspicious expression by tightening his face.

“I’ll beat Nathan’s ass,” he offered, and I waved him down.

“No. It’s not Nate. This is a good thing.”

Leaving the studio, I tried to think of something to get me out of this predicament. The gesture alone pulled at my heartstrings, but he couldn’t give me this level of control. We’re talking about a seven-year-old with big butterfly dreams. I could see if we had been dating, but it’s been a few days. I don’t care what he says, no southern, Bible-carrying woman was okay with premarital living.

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