Page 73 of Secret Baby for Dr. Billionaire

“That’s all you want to say after what I just told you?”

“I’m still trying to digest it all.” She scrunched her nose. “But you’re whipped, brother.”

“Whipped?”

“Pussy-whipped,” she corrected. “Chloe has you wrapped around her little finger.”

“It’s not like that. She’s diff—”

“I mean that in a nice way. You like her, and I call bullshit on your no-strings-attached setup.”

“I don’t think she feels that way.”

“You think she got pissed at Gwen because she ruined her birthday? C’mon. You can’t be that daft. As women, we’re complicated.”

“Understatement.”

“She likes you, Ben. And she’s frustrated and jealous because of this Gwen thing. You need to talk to her.”

“We’re not really on speaking terms right now.”

“What did you do?”

“Why do you always assume it’s my fault?”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

“I know that Tonette ruined things for you,” she started, her tone now sincere. “But you can’t let her dictate how you’re going to handle your future relationships. So tell me, what did you do to piss off the poor woman this time?”

“I–I kind of threatened her with a custody battle after what happened with Franklin.”

The smile on my sister’s face fell, and she scowled so deeply I thought the fire was going to come out of her ears.

“You’re an asshole, you know?” She shook her head. “Did you mean it?”

“Of course not, Mags. She’s wonderful with Sofi. I couldn’t possibly do that to her. I just don’t know how to talk to her about it.”

“She won’t care how you’re going to start the conversation as long as you do it. Tell her you’re sorry and that you don’t mean it. Assure her. God, if I were her, I’d take my child and leave.”

“Geez. Thank you, Maggie.” I grabbed my bag and switched off my desk lamp. “I need to go.”

“You gonna talk to her?”

“I will.” She retreated to the couch, where she grabbed her things so we could leave together. “Did you bring your car?”

“Ralph’s picking me up.” I let her out the door first. “And Ben?”

“Yeah?”

“Tell her how you really feel before she thinks she’s stupid for liking you.”

***

Chloe’s house was dark, and the only light was coming from the TV screen, where a man and a long-haired blonde were singing on a boat.

The first thing that hit my nose was the faint scent of cinnamon, indicating that they had baked earlier.

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