Page 67 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy

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"Specific."

"He's a tiny tyrant. Get used to it."

The warmer beeps. I test the bottle. Perfect. Hand it to Gunther.

Orry's in his arms. Fussing. Gunther offers the bottle. Orry latches. Silence descends.

"Oh." Gunther's voice goes soft. "Oh."

I know that feeling. The first time Orry drank from a bottle I made. The rush ofI did this. I'm keeping him alive.

"Yeah." I sit beside him. Close enough to supervise. Far enough to let him have the moment. "It's something."

Orry drinks. Eyes drifting shut. Gunther supports his head. Natural. Gentle.

"He trusts you," I say quietly.

"He barely knows me."

"Kids are good judges." I watch them. The matching dimples. The same little furrow between their brows. "He sees something."

Gunther doesn't answer. But his hand trembles as he adjusts Orry's position.

By eleven a.m.the apartment's cleaner. Orry's fed and changed and wearing an outfit that isn't covered in breakfast. Gunther's notebook is full.

I'm also dangerously close to admitting this isn't terrible.

"Colum's meeting." I check the time. "We should go."

"Right." Gunther stands. Hesitates. "Cecie. Thank you. For letting me. Be here."

"Don't thank me yet." I hoist the diaper bag. "You've survived one morning. We've got eighteen years ahead of us."

"I know."

"And I'm still angry."

"I know that too."

"Good." I hand him the bag. "You're carrying this. Consider it penance."

He takes it. Grins. "Fair."

Colum's officeis obnoxiously nice. Leather chairs. A view of the plaza. A tray of fancy cookies that Orry immediately lunges for.

"No." I intercept. "Those aren't baby food."

"But they could be," Colum says. He's leaning against his desk. Smug. "Everything's baby food if you're brave enough."

"Please don't give my child food poisoning."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He looks at Gunther. At me. At Orry. "So. You two look. Cozy."

"We're being civil," I say flatly. "Don't read into it."

"Civil. Right." Colum grins. "And how's that going?"

Gunther sighs loudly, clearing his throat. "We're. Working through things."

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