Page 36 of New Year, New Guy
‘Is Hunter around?’
‘Uh, no.’
‘Mind if I come in and wait for him?’
When Johnny discovered the truth it would mean Polly would too, and then she’d be treated to a ‘I-warned-you-not-to-mess-up’ lecture. ‘He’s gone and he won’t be back.’
‘You mean tonight or . . .?’
‘Not ever as far as I know.’ Laura forced on a smile. ‘We had a . . . disagreement. He’s still coming to the wedding though.’
‘Pity.’ Johnny looked uncomfortable. ‘About the disagreement I mean, not the wedding.’
‘Did you want him for something in particular?’
He studied her for a moment. ‘Do you fancy a drink?’
A prickle of unease stirred inside her. ‘Please tell me nothing’s wrong with you and Polly?’
‘No. We’re good.’
The sense that he needed to talk to someone lingered. ‘You can still come in. I could do with a break.’
‘What the bloody hell have you been doing?’ He halted in the doorway.
‘Painting. What does it look like?’
‘You seriously want to know?’
‘The colour wasn’t quite what I had in mind, but it’s growing on me.’ Laura folded her arms over her chest, curiously defensive about her new colour scheme if four walls could be described as an actual plan.
‘It’s . . . a change.’
‘Yes, well, that’s what I need.’
‘Sit down and I’ll pour us both a stiff drink.’
With no energy to object she lay back on the sofa and closed her eyes while he fumbled around in the kitchen.
‘Get that down you.’ Johnny shoved a glass in her hand. ‘Do you want to tell me what’s up with you and Hunter?’
‘It can wait. You go first.’
He exhaled a long, weary sigh. ‘It’s about Danny Pearce.’
* * *
‘Tell me if I’ve got this right.’ Hunter had received a few filthy looks from the locals when Kiki burst into tears and wouldn’t stop sobbing. ‘You agreed to Mike’s request for a DNA test but when it came back positive he accused you of tricking him and took you to a fellow doctor who performed a different, invasive paternity test which could have resulted in you losing the baby?’
‘Yes, well that’s what he wanted, isn’t it?’ Kiki’s soft blue eyes swam with tears. ‘But that test came out positive too.’ She plucked at the frayed sleeve of her baggy grey cardigan. ‘He claims he’ll make me regret it if I put his name on the birth certificate. My dad says to keep my mouth shut because Mike offered me a ton of money and I need it for the baby.’
The sheer arrogance of the man stunned him. ‘Ultimately it’s your call, but what if he does this to another woman?’ Kiki opened her mouth to protest but slammed it shut again. ‘Shouldhe be allowed to continue practising medicine?’ Hunter wasn’t certain how hard to press. ‘Would you consider talking to a lawyer?’
Her eyes flared. ‘I couldn’t do that. I . . . love him.’
‘Still?’
‘He’s my baby’s father.’
