Page 20 of Daddy's Good Girl
Ilook out the window of my home office.It’s been a punishing couple of weeks.Jenna moved back into her dorm, and I haven’t seen her since.One day, the curvy girl was here, and the next, she was gone.
I haven’t gotten over it either.My bed is cold and silent.The house feels haunted almost, with too-big rooms and echoes that didn’t seem to exist before.Plus, I’ve lost all energy.Sure, I go to work each morning and continue producing in the way the hospital expects.But my heart’s not in it because I’ve lost the thing most important to me: Jenna.
My mind drifts randomly, unable to help itself.What is the curvy girl doing right now?Is she okay?Eating healthy, and sleeping well?Is she wearing a loose smock to hide her pregnancy, or did she already terminate?My gut twists on itself and sour bile comes up the back of my throat because it would destroy me if she did.My heart races and a cold sweat breaks out on my brow as I grip the arms of my chair.I can’t lose the opportunity to have another child.I can’t.
She wouldn’t do that, the voice in my mind whispers reassuringly.This is Jenna we’re talking about.A loving, caring young woman who would never throw the gift of a baby away.Or would she?Suddenly, I feel nauseous again and slump in my chair.
But then there’s a knock on the door, and I force myself to shake off the depression by inhaling deeply through my nose and concentrating my thoughts.Emma’s stopping by for lunch today, and I need to get it together.I don’t want to saddle my daughter with my problems because it’s inappropriate.Emma is young and carefree.She’s pre-med and busy as shit, but she’s also twenty years old and should be living life to the max without being burdened with the problems of her dear old dad.
“Come,” I call out, hoping my voice is steady.
The door swings open, but it’s not my daughter that stands there.Instead, it’s the love of my life, Jenna, and she looks full and somehowfertile.Ripe, almost.Her hair streams in golden waves over her shoulders, gleaming in the sunlight from the window.Her skin appears to glow, and her lips are a delectable cherry-color, as if they’ve just been bitten.But most importantly, there’s a rounded swell to her belly, and immediately, I know that she hasn’t terminated our child.Thank fuck.
“Jenna,” I manage in a deep voice, standing immediately.“I didn’t expect you.Please come in.”
The pregnant woman moves gracefully into my office, shutting the door before taking a seat before my desk.
“I know, and I’m sorry about the intrusion.Emma said you were supposed to have lunch together today, but after chatting with her, we decided I would come in her stead.”
I arch one black brow, sitting down slowly behind my desk.My knees are weak and my heart’s beating like a drum.Fuck, there’s even sweat on my forehead, and I know I must look like a glistening, disheveled mess within two minutes of the curvy girl’s entrance.Still, I need to keep it together and nod politely.
“Of course.I’m always happy to see you.Can I order some lunch for us?”I ask.“Emma and I were going to go out, but Mrs.Stenson’s in the kitchen right now.I could ask her to prepare sandwiches, or soup, or...?”
“No, it’s okay,” Jenna says in a melodious voice, her blue gaze direct yet innocent at once.“I don’t want to bother Mrs.Stenson because she already has a million tasks on her list.Actually, I wanted to talk with you, Rick.”
“Of course,” I say immediately.“I’m all ears.”
Jenna nods, her beautiful features thoughtful.Then she looks directly at me.
“So Emma told me about your past.”
I nod because it’s to be expected.My daughter’s friends with my paramour and they do what young girls do: chitchat and gossip.I’m sure it’s harmless because my daughter doesn’t know everything about me.
“What did Emma say?”I ask in a calm tone.
Jenna is thoughtful once again.
“She said that once upon a time, you were desperate to be a father to her.You fought long and hard during the custody battle, and it broke your heart when you lost, and her mother took her to another state.”
“It did break my heart,” I acknowledge in a low, raspy voice.“More than you could know.I lost the opportunity to raise Emma, and it was a devastating blow.We saw each other only infrequently, and I felt I was more of a guest in her life, rather than a parent.”
Jenna nods again, crossing her legs and arranging her pink skirt over her knees.The gesture is so simple, and yet so tantalizing that I catch myself staring at her ivory thighs for a split second.What would it feel like to run my hands up that sweet flesh?To touch Jenna once more in that wet, aching place?My fingers twitch, and yet I know I can’t go there.Not yet.
But Jenna nods again.
“Yes, Emma mentioned that you were disappointed, and that you threw yourself into your work as a doctor as a result.You did the best you could.She also said that you used to date women, but that after a while, it seems like you gave up and turned to Sweet Lies instead?She didn’t know you were using that site, specifically.It was me who told her, but she wasn’t surprised because you hadn’t introduced her to a girlfriend in a long time.She said it was almost as if you’d given up on the dating scene, and decided to keep things casual.”
I nod slowly, steepling my fingers under my chin.
“She’s right.I’m surprised Emma noticed, frankly, because she was just a child at the time.Maybe a pre-teen.”
Jenna smiles a bit, so beautiful that my heart stops in my chest.
“Kids know more than you think.Plus, Emma’s super-smart and I think she’s super-perceptive too.But yes, when I told her that we met through Sweet Lies, she wasn’t that surprised.”
My lips quirk in a lopsided smile.
“Sweetheart, Emma just didn’t let on to you.When I saw her later, she was very surprised, and had a long talk with me about it.Imagine that: your dear old dad hiring young women for dates.Trust me, Emma had some choice words for me.”
