Page 27 of One Little Mistake

For a while, I just sit in my car, watching the lights flicker in their windows. And then I realize I’ve been staring at Cynthia’s apartment for several minutes.

That pisses me off.

I hadn’t thought about her in forever. But tonight… it’s like something snapped loose, and the damn floodgates opened.

I fire up the engine and take off, wishing more than anything that my ex would move to another continent and stop popping up in my life.

By the time I get home, I’m in a foul mood—drained and running on fumes. I collapse on the bed, shut my eyes for maybe ten seconds, when the doorbell rings through the apartment like a fire alarm.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I mutter, dragging myself off the mattress.

When I open the door, I’m surprised to see Logan and Vivienne standing there with grim faces.

“Something happen?” I ask, eyeing them both suspiciously.

“Can we come in? We need to talk,” Logan says. He looks uneasy, hands buried deep in his pockets, shooting nervous glances at Vivienne, who’s clearly upset. And I have zero clue what kind of conversation needs to happen at eleven p.m.

“Sure,” I step aside, letting them in and closing the door behind them. “So… what’s going on?”

They hesitate for a moment, then Logan starts talking.

“We went to see Erin,” he says, and my whole body tenses. My lungs feel tight, like all the air has suddenly disappeared. Weird reaction for someone who’s supposed to be a stranger.

“She’s still unconscious. I talked to the doctors. No one’s giving any real answers. But if no family comes forward soon—or if she doesn’t wake up— Child Protective Services willget involved. The baby might end up in temporary care until something’s figured out.”

“Well… damn,” I exhale, running a hand down my face.

“Max,” Vivienne jumps in, her tone firm and final. “Logan and I decided to take the baby in. Just until Erin’s out of the hospital.”

My eyebrows shoot up. That was not what I was expecting to hear.

“Erin only had her grandmother, and she lives hours from here. Her mom’s abroad. Someone needs to step in now.”

“Yeah, I know,” I nod. “I went out there—found the address in her documents. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth. No point stressing an elderly woman. Maybe Erin wakes up in a day or two and this all blows over. Why upset her for nothing?” I look away.

“I just know if it were my kid in there, I’d want someone to take care of them. I really think Erin would want this,” Vivienne says.

“That’s a good idea,” I nod, letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. At least the kid’s not my problem anymore.

But Logan and Vivienne don’t move. They’re still standing there, looking at me with something in their eyes I can’t quite place. Expectation? Hope?

“Something else?” I ask.

Logan shifts his weight. “Thing is... we can’t take the baby legally. Not without parental permission. But the hospital and everyone at the maternity ward already think you’re the dad. So we were hoping... you’d help us get him released.”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen,” I cut him off before he can even finish.

“Max, we wouldn’t be asking if we could handle this ourselves,” Logan starts to lose his cool, and now I fully recognize the stubborn neighbor I know so well.

We lock eyes, both equally hardheaded. For him, it’s all simple: take the kid, sign some papers, and they’ll look after him. But no one’s thinking about the fact that if something goes wrong, I’m the one legally responsible. And who’s to say Vivienne won’t show up at my door tomorrow telling me to take the baby back?

“I’ve got her mother’s number. I was planning to call her in the morning. Let her come sort all this out,” I say, my tone sharper than I intended, but I’m getting the sinking feeling that if I don’t act fast, I might accidentally become someone’s dad.

“Seriously?” Vivienne’s eyes light up with hope.

“Yeah. Anything else? If not, good night.” I pull the door open and motion for them to leave. Why is everyone so determined to hand me this baby? It’s like this whole situation will never end. I might as well pack up and leave town, just to get away from people who are convinced Erin’s my girlfriend and I’m supposed to play daddy now.

“Keep us posted if anything changes,” Logan says as they walk out. “And if you need help—anything at all—just say the word.”

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