Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 24
GRAHAM
“ARE YOU FEELING OKAY?” I’d gotten stuck talking shop with Bret Allandale for three-quarters of an hour. Finding Soraya in the yard looking out at the sunset over the water, I wrapped my hands around her waist and stood behind her.
“I’m good.”
Without thinking, my fingers stroked her flat stomach. There were people milling around the yard, so I lowered my voices. “The thought that my child could possibly be growing inside of you, inside this beautiful body, is absolutely incredible.”
“Graham…”
“I know. You don’t think you’re ready. But I think you will be an amazing mother. How pissed would you be if I admitted a part of me hopes you are pregnant? That way you’ll have no choice but to put up with me.” I pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“If I were pregnant, you’d want to raise the child together?”
“Of course, why would you even ask that?”
“I don’t know. I’m just tired and emotional, I guess. It’s been a long day.”
“Well, then, let’s get you out of here soon. You should probably be off of your feet anyway.”
After the sun fully set, I decided it was time to make our exit. I’d caught Chloe yawning twice, and it didn’t look like she was going to make it much longer either. She was sitting at a kiddie-sized table with another little girl molding something out of hot pink Play-Doh. I pulled a tiny chair out for Soraya with a wink, and we both sat.
“What are you building?”
“A snowman.”
“A pink snowman?”
She stopped kneading the clay and looked at me like I had just said something ridiculous. “It’s a girl snowman.”
“Did you enjoy your party, Chloe?” Soraya asked.
“I did. But it’s not over. My birthday lasts for the entire weekend.”
Soraya chuckled. “It does, does it?”
Chloe nodded fast. “Tomorrow morning, when we wake up, we’re going to have chocolate chip pancakes and strawberry milk.”
“I’m sorry we’re going to miss that. That sounds delicious,” I said.
“Why would you miss it? Do you sleep late?”
“Actually, I don’t. But we’re not staying here tonight, sweetheart.”
“You don’t want to have breakfast with me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Who’s going to put together the rest of my toys in the morning? Mommy said you would put together my car and my dream house.”
“She did, did she?”
“Pleeeeeeease.”
I looked at Soraya, unsure of how to say no to my daughter. I had limited encounters with children, and the thought of disappointing her when I’d only just met her was not something I was ready to do. Soraya covered my hand with hers and squeezed.
“How about this, Chloe? Graham and I can come back early tomorrow and have breakfast. Then he can put together your presents.”
“Really?”
Soraya gave me a reassuring nod before I turned back to Chloe with a smile. “Really, sweetheart.”
We did a quick round of goodbyes, and then Genevieve walked us to the door. “Chloe is very excited you’re coming back in the morning. It’s too bad you won’t be staying overnight. There’s plenty of room.” She seemed to turn her attention to Soraya. “I know she would love waking up to having her father under the same roof, even though she might not know who you are to her yet.”
“What time is breakfast?”
“Avery is driving out from the city in the morning to join us. She’ll be here by nine. So why don’t we say nine-thirty?”
“That’s fine. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’m looking forward to it, Graham.” Genevieve put her hand on my arm and lowered her voice. “Chloe is lucky to have you. I know I made some big mistakes, but I hope for her sake we can move past them. I’d really like for Chloe to know her father…have a real family.”
***
SORAYA WAS UNUSUALLY QUIET during the short ride to Harbor House Bed and Breakfast even after checking in. Once we climbed into bed, I pulled her close and tried to coax her into talking about what was going on inside that beautiful head of hers. “Talk to me. You’re not yourself tonight.” Her head rested on my chest right over my heart, and I stroked her silky hair in the dark.
The list of shit that could be bothering her was endless these days. We were spending the weekend visiting a home that I used to own and a daughter who I just met…while my possibly pregnant girlfriend was slighted at every opportunity by my ex. Why was I even fucking asking what was wrong? It would be simpler to ask what was right. Although that answer was easy for me. She was right. Even with all the chaos swarming around, I didn’t remember a time in my life when anything felt so right to me. We were right.
“I’m just tired.”
“So it has nothing to do with spending time with my fucking bitch of an ex or having newly discovered I have a four-year-old daughter or the possibility you could be pregnant. Am I missing anything?”