Page 20 of Secret Baby with My One Timer

She claps her hands, pleased she got what she wanted.

Oliver and I lock eyes in a thoughtful gaze as Holly’s giggles fill the air.

It’s the moment I realize Oliver is no longer only here for her.

I just don’t know how that makes me feel.

Later that day, Oliver drives me and Holly to the hospital during visiting hours. After locking the car doors, he reaches out for Holly’s small hand. She eagerly gives him it.

It’s like she already knows him.

Already trusts him.

I know she really likes him.

I steal a glance at Oliver and notice he is staring at me. “Where did you go that night?”

“Me? I waited for you for one hour.” My voice is high-pitched.

“You really did?” I can’t decide if he doesn’t believe me or surprised that I really did wait for him.

“You told me you were ordering food. I had a shower and waited and waited until I realized you never planned on coming back. It was your easy way out.”

He shakes his head. “That’s not true. You understand now that I went back, but you were gone.”

I smile as I wonder what would’ve happened if that night was different.

“I wanted to see you again. I was going to tell you everything. Who I was. And ask you for a date.”

“You were? I thought... You know. After what happened, you weren’t interested anymore.”

He shakes his head. “I knew it was you.”

“What was me?” I ask.

“The girl I was going to marry.”

I cough. “So the reported story is true?” There is no way he is telling the truth right now. I just don’t know what he gains from lying.

“Yes. The knock at the door was my teammates. A journalist was in the club and he then followed us to the hotel. He called Oscar with the news he was printing a story about him. He thought Oscar was the one who bought a virgin, not me. As we always do, we knew we had to stick together. I left the hotel room and the four of us went to a bar, had a couple of drinks and made sure our pictures were taken.”

“To neutralize the story,” I say.

“Exactly. I’m not only protective of my private life, but yours too.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, opening the door to Mom’s hospital room.

“I promise I came back for you,” he says, holding the door to not let me inside. His eyes are on mine.

“I believe you.”

“Why don’t we try to be a family?” he asks, the words hanging in the air like a promise about to be swiped away by the whoosh of the door.

“You mean you want Holly to know who you are?”

“No. I want us to be a family. Give us a chance.” He waits a moment before saying, “I wouldn’t have let you go that night.”

I’ve only ever had Mom and now Holly. That’s as big as my family has ever been. A family. The concept seems unreal, but it’s what he’s offering.

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