Page 77 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy

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"GeneTrust Labs, how can I help you?"

"Yes. Hello. I need to schedule a paternity test. Discreet. Professional. Preferably with minimal waiting room interaction."

"We do those every day, hon. What's the kid's age?"

"Nine months."

"Cute. Mom's bringing him?"

"Yes."

"Great. Thursday at ten work?"

"That's. Yes. Perfect."

"Name?"

"Gunther Ridgeway."

"Spell it."

I do. She yawns.

"You're all set. Bring ID. Mom brings the baby. We'll swab, send to the lab, results in three to five business days."

"Is there an expedited option?"

"Extra hundred bucks gets you forty-eight hours."

"I'll take it."

"Course you will." She sounds amused now. "See you Thursday, Gunther."

She hangs up. I sit there. Holding the phone. Three to five days. Forty-eight with the upgrade.

Forty-eight hours to know if I'm a father.

I add it to my calendar. Color-coded. Red forlife-changing event.

Colum finds me at lunch.I'm eating a sandwich I don't taste while cross-referencing developmental milestone charts.

"You look deranged," he says cheerfully.

"I'm researching."

"What, the cure for overthinking?" He sits. Steals a chip. "What's going on?"

"Paternity test. Thursday."

His eyebrows climb. "Fast."

"Cecie agreed."

"And you're handling it."

"Obviously."

"Obviously." He grins. "You made a checklist, didn't you?"

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