Page 28 of The First Deal

Keeping my focus on Hannah’s eyes, I waited until they snapped back to meet mine, indicating that the girl was out of sight, and hopefully out of earshot too.

“Well?” Hannah asked, planting her hands on her hips.

She sighed, a torn look crossing her perfectly made-up features. She didn’t want to think the worst, and she shouldn’t, not in this scenario, but I could understand why she might. She knew who I was, and she knew that I had more notches in my bedpost than most. Her brows were pinching together, and she finally repeated herself, softer this time. “Well?”

“I didn’t want to do this, not yet.” I closed my eyes, drawing in a new strength, readying myself to face a bigger truth than I had been about to a minute ago.

“Do what? Whoisshe?” Hannah’s voice wobbled.

I reached for her when I opened my eyes, but she stepped away with a trembling lower lip. She was thinking the worst.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“She’s my—”

“Dad, can I eat this bread? I’m starving,” the girl called out, and just like that the one thing that could tear Hannah from me was out in the open.

With that one name spilling from my daughter’s mouth, I watched everything fall apart.

“Dad?” Hannah gasped, blinking hard.

Hanging my head, I nodded. Then Hannah was pushing past me, storming into the kitchen to where Quinn was standing, shoving buttered bread into her mouth like she’d not eaten in days.

“Who’s this then?” Quinn asked through a mouthful of bread.

“Quinn, don’t speak with your mouth full,” I scolded.

My daughter laughed, shoving more bread in, and Hannah flinched. It took me far too long to realise why Hannah had flinched. I had used my dad voice, a tone reserved for Quinn, and Quinn alone. Hearing it must have made everything feel real, like she hadn’t been dreaming.

“I’m Hannah,” she said, offering a hand to Quinn.

Quinn wiped her hand on a tea towel quickly before taking Hannah’s hand and shaking it, once, firmly, with a wide grin on her face. “I’m Quinn. How do you know my dad? Are you one of his m—”

“Friends. She’s my friend.” I knew what Quinn was about to say, my life was no secret to her. Many women, or some variation, would have been the next words to leave her mouth.

I grabbed the bread, still warm, and tore off a chunk, and without buttering it, shoved it into Quinn’s mouth, then grabbed Hannah’s hand, and guided her back to the bedroom before my delightful daughter could say anything.

“I should go,” Hannah said, pulling away from me when we were in my room and grabbing her bag. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time with your… daughter. I… erm… I’ll call you?”

She was looking at me as though she wasn’t sure if she meant it. Like there was more chance of pigs flying than her actually picking up the phone and dialling my number ever again. She looked worried, scared, and like she couldn’t stand to be in my presence for another second.

“Please”—I reached for her but she was moving already—“please do.”

She half nodded, then flew out of the bedroom, leaving me alone, staring at the space she had just been standing in, wondering if I would ever see her again.

7

Entering the bar I found another gift waiting on one of the tables. It had been a week since I had found out Shane’s big secret, and with each passing day, the gifts had become more and more extravagant.

“Hereallywants to talk to you,” Juno said as I read over the handwritten card attached to the pale-blue gift bag.

Cariño, I should have told you sooner.

Please call me.

Rex.

He had signed off with my nickname for him. The previous gifts had held his name,full name, and were typed, not written. This one, it seemed, he had gone out to purchase himself. This time he had made more effort.

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