“You’ll make it right.” He knocked his head against mine. “Jonah can’t get enough of you. Katty’s going to be the same way.”
Hearing him say her name made it more real. “Isn’t that a great name?” I was glad Mazzy had chosen it without me. Iprobably would have picked something stupid like Begonia or Coconut.
His laugh was breathy next to my ear. “Really great. I bet she’s so cute.”
I pulled back and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Roman took my face in his hands. “I can’t either. I hope you’ll let me.”
“I’m not there yet,” I said.
“I know.” He patted my cheeks once before letting me go. “Take the time you need. Just know I’m eager to be an uncle.”
“Me too,” Nate agreed.
“Same,” Adrian said.
Chills ran through me. This was real. I had a daughter, and my brothers were her uncles. Shira was her aunt. Jonah was her cousin. Everything was about to change, and I had to think it would be for the better.
“I have a daughter.” I looked at Nate and Roman then at Adrian’s image on the phone screen. “I have a kid.Me. I’m a father.”
Nate chuckled. “Pretty crazy.”
Adrian added, “Total mindfuck.”
Roman locked eyes with me. After two beats, he smiled. “It’s going to be incredible, Benny. Just incredible.”
Mazzy Belle Emerson wasn’t anything like I remembered. This version of her was all business. She called me exactly as she said she would and got right into it without any preamble.
“We’ll meet you at our favorite park tomorrow if you’re available.”
“Yes,” I rushed out. “Anytime. I’ll make it happen.”
“I’m off work at three. We can meet you at four for an hour.”
An hour? That wouldn’t be enough. I already knew that. But beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“Okay. So…um, how do we do this? Does she know?”
“She doesn’t, and I’m not sure. My instincts tell me to introduce you as Ben and let her get to know you. She doesn’t have any men in her life. This will be new and strange for her.”
“No men?” At first, I liked the sound of that, then a thought occurred to me. “What about your dad?”
After a pause, she said, “He passed away.”
“Oh god, I’m so sorry.”
She made a little huff. “I’d say it’s okay, but it’s really not.”
“No, I wouldn’t think so.” I scrubbed at my jaw, wishing I’d kept my damn mouth shut. “Can I bring her something tomorrow?”
“She doesn’t need anything, and you don’t have to buy her affection.”
“I don’t think that’s what I wanted to do…” I let my hand drop into my lap, helpless. “I’ve never bought her anything. I’m so behind. I need to—”
“Ben, stop. You have plenty of time to provide for her. For this time, I’d rather you meet her before you jump in with both feet.”
I barked a laugh. “Too late, Mazzy-mazz. I’m already at the bottom of the pool, fully immersed, and I haven’t even seen her yet.”
