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Some of the tension leaves her face, and that’s enough for me to move on.

“What did Grant say after he figured it out?”

“He started talking about a paternity test. Attorneys. Custody if the baby turns out to be his.”

My jaw tightens at custody.

“I almost called my doctor from the car,” she says. “I thought maybe I should find out what kind of test we can do and how soon and have some actual answers before I told you.”

I look at her. “But you didn’t wait until you had answers. You called me.”

Her eyes lift to mine. “Yeah. I needed you. And I wanted you to know. If I didn’t tell you right away, it felt like I was hiding something, and I don’t want our relationship to be like that.”

My fingers tighten around hers. From the beginning, she’s made room for me in every part of this pregnancy, even when she was still trying to convince both of us we were only co-parents. She’s never made me chase her down for information or wonder where I fit when it comes to the baby.

And today, when she was scared and didn’t have a fucking clue what came next, she called me before she tried to figure it out on her own.

I turn my hand under hers and lace our fingers together over her stomach.

“What happens if he’s the biological father?” she asks.

I’ve been trying not to get ten steps ahead of facts we don’t have yet, but this is an easy answer.

“We talk to a lawyer and figure out what we can do to protect you and the baby.” I rub my thumb over the side of her hand. “Grant doesn’t get to dictate what happens next just because he started throwing around scary words.”

Goldie nods, but she’s still chewing on her bottom lip. Her fingers tighten around mine.

Then she looks up at me, her expression turning wary. “And what about you?”

CHAPTER 29

SUMNER

I know exactly what she’s asking.

I shift enough to face her more directly and slide my free hand onto her thigh.

I’ve told her this repeatedly, but I’ll say it a million more times if that’s what it takes for my words to sink in.

“I’m not going anywhere, Goldie.”

Her eyes turn glassy as they flit between mine, reading everything I’m not saying, looking for the tiniest hint I don’t mean what I’m saying.

“Nothing about us changes because Grant figured out there might be a question about the biology of this baby.” I rub my thumb over her thigh. “You’re still stuck with me making you eat real food when you try to pass off mozzarella sticks as dinner.”

Her mouth twitches. “They are dinner. They have multiple food groups.”

“They have cheese and breading.”

“Exactly. Dairy and grains. That’s more than one, literally the definition of multiple. Plus I dip them in marinara. That’s fruit. Or vegetable.” She waves her hand around. “Either way, it’s well-rounded.”

I almost smile. “We can fight about it later.”

She gives me a watery little smile back.

“I’m still this baby’s dad. No matter what.” I wait until she looks at me. “I made a commitment to you and this kid, Goldie. That wasn’t temporary, and it wasn’t something I only meant as long as everything stayed easy. I’m here for all of it. I’m not walking away from either of you. Ever.”

Her smile disappears.