Page 36 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy

---

The accusation hangs in the air.

He's right.

I lied too. Gave him my nickname. Slipped out before dawn. Pretended the whole thing never happened.

ButIdidn't spend nine months working next door to him, watching him through glass walls, letting him meet my son without saying a goddamn word.

"That's different," I say.

"How?"

"Because—" I falter. "Because I didn'tknow."

"Neither did I!"

His voice rises. Not angry. Desperate.

The office is definitely paying attention now. Someone's phone is out. The junior analyst is furiously texting.

Great. Just great.

"I have to go," I repeat.

This time, I don't wait for a response.

I turn and walk fast, but not running, because I refuse torun, out of Fishborn Financial.

The glass door swings shut behind me.

I make it three steps into the plaza before my hands start shaking.

Orry babbles, oblivious. Pats my chest with his sticky muffin hand.

"It's okay," I tell him. "We're okay."

Liar.

I'm not okay.

I'm standing in the middle of the plaza, glitter still clinging to my apron, my son's biological father less than twenty feet away, and I haveno ideawhat happens next.

Orry reaches up.

Pats my cheek.

Right where the dimple would be, if I had one.

And despite everything with the shock, the fear, the bone-deep panic clawing at my ribs, I laugh.

It comes out wet. Shaky.

But it's a laugh.

"Yeah, kid," I whisper. "Meet your daddy."

I don't go backto Sparkle Beauty.

Can't.

---