Page 19 of A Secret Baby for Christmas
The hurt in her voice tears at my heart.
“You left Chloe alone for a year to go through this on her own?”
“I only found out about Hugo yesterday, when Chloe came back.”
Mr. Porter takes another step toward his daughter, and Hans steps between them. Mr. Porter looks like he wants to murder his daughter’s new boyfriend, but he doesn’t come any closer.
“But I’m not going to let her go through this alone. I don’t run away from my responsibilities, Allie. I’ll do what’s right by Chloe.”
His words are supposed to comfort Allie, but they cut like a knife through my heart. Is that what he’s doing with me? Is he doing what’sright?
I thought we had something, but he’s only with me because that’s the right thing to do. If you knock up the teenage best friend of your daughter, the right thing to do is to step up and be the father. He doesn’t love me; he’s just doing the honorable thing.
But I don’t have time to process my new reality, because Allie is in pain and it’s all my fault.
“It’s not all him,” I try to tell her, but she turns on her father.
“Just get out, Dad. I don’t want you here tonight.”
“Allie…”
“Get out. Go stay with your buddy at the lodge. I need to process this, and I don’t want to see you.”
The hurt in Mr. Porter’s face cuts me. He reaches out a hand for his daughter, but she ducks out the way.
“Just go.”
He gives her a nod, and his gaze meets mine. His expression is hurt, unreadable.
It was a mistake to come back here. I’ve broken up their family and broken my own heart again.
I want Mr. Porter to say it isn’t true. That he’s not just giving it a go with me because it’s the right thing to do. But he doesn’t say a word.
Instead, he grabs his coat and heads off into the night.
8
DAVID
Snow whips at my cheeks as I take the path that leads to The Lodge. Christmas lights twinkle to light my way, and the sound of live music thumps through the ground.
When I pull open the door to The Lodge, the music gets louder. It’s late on Christmas Eve, and the bar is humming. I nod to the receptionist who’s wearing a Santa hat. It’s fallen lopsided across her forehead, and her rosy cheeks and lipstick-stained champagne glass tell me even the staff are partying tonight.
There are two bars at the resort. But the quiet lounge bar where I usually go for a drink is already closed. If I want to drown my sorrows, I’ll have to face the club with the younger crowd.
I head through the door into the bar where groups of revelers are scattered about the place. A live DJ spins records from a booth, and groups of young people dance energetically to the music.
I give the dance floor a wide berth and head to the bar at the far end of the room. Taking a seat on a bar stool that’s as tucked into the corner as I can be, I order a bourbon.
My head’s swimming with what just happened, and I knock the drink back before ordering another.
I didn’t think Allie would be that angry, but it’s a lot to take in for her. It was clear she wasn’t going to listen tonight, and the best thing I could do was give her some space. I only hope Chloe understands.
I go to text Chloe and realize I’ve left my phone at the cabin. It must have slipped out when my clothes were discarded earlier.
The thought of the mind-blowing sex with Chloe puts a smile on my face. It’s never been like that with any woman before. She’s sexy and confident and responsive. It’s the best sex I’ve ever had in my life.
I want Chloe, and I want a second chance with a family with her. But does that mean giving up the daughter I already have?
