Page 88 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

I wasn’t prepared for that, so I reached across the table and took her little hand. “Daddy loves you.”

“That’s not what I asked.” I blinked, Lord she was definitely my child. “Did he?”

I took a breath. “Daddy made some choices that he has to deal with right now.”

She stared at me. “Is he in jail?”

My stomach dropped. “Who told you that?”

“Nobody.” She shrugged.

“I heard Grandma talking.”

Of course she heard it from my gossiping ass mama. I know she was on the phone with my auntie telling all my business. “Yes.”

Her eyes immediately filled with tears. “Is he gonna stay there forever?”

“No, baby.” I got up and moved around to her side of the booth. “Come here.” She climbed into my lap.

“I want my daddy.”

“I know, baby.”

“When can I see him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can I call him?”

That question broke my heart because this wasn’t about me anymore. It wasn’t about what Deuce did to our marriage. It wasn’t about how pissed off I was. This was his daughter too and she missed him.

“Please, Mommy.”

I kissed the top of her head.

“The next time Daddy calls, I’ll let you talk to him.”

She pulled back.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Her whole face lit up. “Can I tell him about my picture?”

“Yes.”

“And school?”

“Yes.”

“And that Grandma burned the toast?”

I laughed. “Definitely tell him that.”

“Grandma said it wasn’t burnt.”

“Your grandma lies.”