Page 65 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
Sunday morning. Seven a.m. My doorbell rings.
I'm still in pajamas. Orry's covered in mashed banana. The shop's closed but the apartment above it looks like a glitter bomb mated with a laundry pile and produced chaos.
I buzz Gunther in because I'm too tired to lie.
He arrives carrying a thermal coffee carafe and a bag from the bakery two blocks over. Wearing khakis and a polo shirt like he's attending a business-casual playdate.
"You're early."
"Colum's meeting isn't until noon." He sets the coffee down. Takes in the disaster zone that is my kitchen. "I thought. Maybe. You could use help?"
Orry shrieks. Banana flies. Lands in Gunther's hair.
I wait for him to flinch. Leave. Realize this whole dad thing is a terrible mistake.
Instead he plucks the banana out. Wipes his hand on a dish towel. "Good arm."
"He's been practicing." I grab a cloth. Attempt damage control on Orry's face. He squirms like I'm torturing him. "You don't have to do this."
"I want to."
"Gunther—"
"Please." He blinks at me. Earnest and uncomfortable and somehow exactly what I need. "Let me help."
I'm too exhausted to argue.
"Fine. But if you break something or let him eat anything toxic, I'm kicking you out."
"Understood."
I pour coffee. He unpacks pastries. Orry bangs his spoon on the high chair tray and hollers what might be a song.
Gunther watches him. Smile tugging at that damned dimple.
Don't get attached. Don't trust this. He could still walk away.
But he's here. Now. Covered in banana and offering bear claws. I take a pastry. Bite. It's perfect.
"Okay. Lesson one. Diaper changing."
Gunther approachesthe changing table like it's a bomb.
"It's just pee and poop," I say. "You've dealt with worse."
"Have I?" He stares at Orry's squirming legs. "This feels. Significant."
"It's a diaper. Not a marriage contract."
"Right." He takes a breath. Rolls up his sleeves. "Walk me through it."
I do. Step by step. Wipes, cream, fresh diaper, strategic dodging when Orry tries to grab his own feet and flip sideways.
Gunther's hands shake. But he's careful. Methodical. Treats every fastener like a mathematical proof.
"You're overthinking this."
"I overthink everything."
