Page 97 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
"Good morning, happy family!" He kicks the door shut. Spots us on the couch. "Oh perfect. You're both here. Saves me a trip."
"Colum." My voice could cut glass. "I didn't invite you in."
"You gave me a spare key for emergencies. Back when you were pregnant and before we knew Gunther was the man. Er, uh, orc?"
"This isn't an emergency."
"Debatable." He dumps the poster board on my kitchen table. Spins. "Poplar Springs Family Weekend. Next Saturday through Sunday. Two days of wholesome community bonding. Local businesses. Kid-friendly activities. The works."
"Okay?"
"And. As your landlord slash friend slash self-appointed PR manager. I'm strongly suggesting. No.Insisting. That Sparkle Beauty participates."
"I can't afford?—"
"Free booth space. Already arranged. You're welcome."
I blink. "Why?"
"Because you're a local success story. Single mom. Small business owner. The people love you."
"The people barely know me."
"Theywill. After this." He taps the poster board. "Family Weekend is prime visibility. Tourists. Locals. Media coverage if we're lucky. It's a goldmine."
"For you maybe."
"Foreveryone." He looks at Gunther. "You're in too. Obviously."
Gunther's eyes widen. "Me?"
"Yes you. Proud papa. Financial genius. Pillar of the community. We'll set up a joint booth. Sparkle Beauty and Fishborn Financial. Show the town what modern family values look like."
"Colum—" I start.
"Think of the optics. Single mom and civilized orc co-parent. Successfully navigating parenthood with grace and maturity. It'sinspirational."
"It's exploitative," I snap.
"It'sstrategic." He softens. Slightly. "Look. People are going to talk. You know they are. This way you control the narrative. You show up. Together. Happy. Functional. And suddenly the gossip has nowhere to go."
"Or it gets worse."
"Not if you own it first."
Gunther shifts. Orry still sleeping. "What exactly would we have to do?"
"Show up. Smile. Let people meet Orry. Answer a few questions. Maybe do a mini-demo. Cecie does a makeover. You crunch some numbers. Adorable baby watches from a playpen. It'sgold."
"It's a circus," I mutter.
"It's a community event. And you're part of the community."
"We just figured out co-parenting yesterday. You want us to debut as a family in front of the entire town?"
"Yes."
"That's insane."
