Page 53 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
The question hits like a punch.
"Why?" My voice comes out sharp.
"I just wondered. If Orry had. If there was someone."
"There isn't." I take Orry from his arms. "It's just us."
"But you knew him. The father."
"For one night." The admission slips out. "He was a mistake. A good mistake, because I got Orry. But still a mistake."
Gunther's face goes pale. "A mistake."
"Yeah." I adjust Orry on my hip. "I left before he woke up. Never got his real name. Never saw him again."
"Maybe he didn't know." Gunther's voice drops to barely a whisper. "Maybe if he'd known about Orry?—"
"It doesn't matter." I cut him off. "We're fine. Better than fine. We don't need him."
"Everyone needs—" He stops. Shakes his head. "Sorry. It's not my place."
"No. It's not." The words come out harsher than I intended. Gunther flinches.
"I should go." He backs toward the door. "Thank you for coming tonight."
"Gunther, wait?—"
But he's already leaving. I watch him cross the plaza, shoulders hunched, hands shoved in his pockets.
Idiot.I don't know if I mean him or me. Orry yawns. Rubs his eyes with tiny fists.
"Yeah, buddy. Bedtime." I to my car, parked in front of the store and drive home. My heart pounds at the words unspoken, the admissions left out. Go through the routine. Diaper change. Pajamas. Bottle. Story.
Orry fights sleep like always, but eventually his eyes drift shut. I set him in the crib. Pull the blanket up. I stand there watching him breathe.
That dimple. Those eyes. That smile that belongs to a man who might be a stranger or might be the father of my child.
I need to know. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll find out the truth. Even if it terrifies me.
The knock comesat seven AM. Who in the hell is knocking at my door this early?
I stumble to the door in my bathrobe, Orry on my hip, hair a disaster.
Gunther stands in the hallway holding two coffee cups and a bag from the bakery down the street.
"Hi." He thrusts the coffee forward. "I brought. Um. Peace offering?"
I stare at him. "It's seven AM. How did you know where I live?"
"I know. I'm sorry. Your address is on file with Colum becuase of the storefront lease. I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't have done this. I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what you said. About Orry's father being a mistake. And I—" He stops. Takes a breath. "Can I come in?"
I should say no. Should protect Orry and myself and the life we've built.
But Gunther looks wrecked. Dark circles under his eyes. Shirt wrinkled like he slept in it. And that expression,desperate and scared and hopeful, breaks something in me.
"Fine." I step back. "But you're explaining yourself."
He enters. Sets the coffee and pastries on my small kitchen counter. Turns to face me.
