She stilled.Her smile dropped.And she turned.“Kyle?”Her heart sank to her stomach as he approached.Oh no.He knew where she lived?How?Why?What else did he know?“What… what are you doing here?”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“Why?”
“I, uh, was passing by a while ago and thought I saw you here, and…”
Then the door opened.Bella.Oh no, no,no.
Kyle glanced at Bella, then at Gen, then back at Bella, no doubt wondering who she was.But who was she kidding?Ofcoursehe’d recognize Bella’s hair, those unusual eyes.Her gaze flicked back to him.This wasn’t the loving man of last night.His eyes were wide, like he was in shock.
She needed to quiet Bella, before she could spill—
But before she could hush her, Bella glanced up at her.“Mommy?”
CHAPTER15
Kyle’s heart stabbed.Stabbed again.Was this what a heart attack felt like?He looked at the girl more closely.Recognized the hair.Saw the same eyes that stared at him in the mirror studying him.
No.No.No.This couldn’t be—
It was insane to think that—
No.
He swallowed.Swallowed again, desperate to find moisture enough to speak.“Gen?”
She looked at him, eyes wide in shock.In fear.In acknowledgment of her deception.
Pain, betrayal, anger swept across him in strong waves.
She couldn’t have—
Surely she would’ve said—
Why?
“Who is this?”he rasped.He had to make sure, even though the confirmation was also staring at him.His mini-me.
Gen moistened her bottom lip.“I…”
He felt sick.How could he have wanted to kiss her and she’d kept this secret from him?
“Mommy?”
His heart stabbed again.Gen’s daughter.And from all appearances, his daughter, too.He blinked.“What’s your name?”
The girl looked at Gen but Gen seemed struck dumb, unable to answer.So the girl eyed him.“Bella.”
“How old are you?”
“Nine.”
Gen reached for him, but he shifted away.“Kyle… I’m so sorry.Please, come in.Let me explain.”
He eyed Gen, the woman he had long thought was completely honest and upfront.More fool him.“Do I even know you?”
“Are you my mom’s ex-boyfriend?”
