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For the next week, Lucy and I talk every night, but we don’t get time for another date. The stupid policy at work means that even though we spend all day in the same building, I’m lucky if I get a wink and a smile when she passes by. It’s killing me. And with the season starting up, it’s only going to get worse.
I’m anxious more today than any other with the knowledge that Katie and Lucy are meeting with Katie’s sperm donor after work. I refuse to call him her father until he’s proven himself to be one. The jackass has done no right in my eyes. Not that I have a say in the matter.
When it gets to four p.m. and I haven’t seen Lucy, I track her down, uncaring of who sees us. I can’t let her leave without her knowing I’m here if she needs me.
She’s slipping out the glass door to the parking lot when I finally spot her, and I jog to try and catch up with her.
“Lucy! Wait up,” I call as I get closer, only stopping my jog when I reach her. Knowing she’s going to object, I press a quick kiss to her lips and then take a step back with a small smirk on mine, chuckling when she rolls her eyes as she huffs out a laugh.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” I shrug. “Are you heading to the park now?”
She blows out a breath, and I can see the stress plain as day on her face. “I am. Dylan’s already with Katie, so I’m meeting them there.”
I itch to pull her into a hug, but I keep my hands by my side, knowing she’ll likely push me away. “I want to be there. You know that, right?”
She grins, reaching forward to connect our hands ever so slightly. “I know. But I’ve got Dylan. He’s not going to let anything happen to either of us.”
I can’t stop my frown even though she’s right. “Okay. Please call me when you get home.”
“I will. I…thank you.”
Not wanting to piss Lucy off, I quickly scan the parking lot to make sure the coast is clear before pulling her in for a proper kiss. My lips instantly mold to hers as my tongue seeks entry. And without resisting, Lucy moans as she sucks my tongue into her mouth, her hands clenching my shirt. The kiss may be brief, but it’s full of emotion, both of us knowing how hard today will be.
“Call me,” I say after I’ve broken our connection, my hand mimicking a phone to my ear.
“I will.” She laughs, backing away until she hits her car, only then turning around.
Unable to leave, I wait until she drives away, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my chest.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Lucy
Dylanstopswhathe’sdoing and looks at me in shock. “You know I want to kill him, right?”I sure do.He’s mentioned it a few times.
I held off on telling him that Greg would be meeting us today because I didn’t want him to call in reinforcements. I’m sure if I’d given him a heads-up, everyone would be here. He’d probably even have Thomas fly in from Seattle. It’s much easier this way. Although he does look a little mad.
“I do know that,” I reply. “But I’m kinda hoping that means you’ll see through his bullshit easier than I apparently do.”
“Wouldn’t Joel be better for that?”
I sigh, because yes, he would be, but Dylan doesn’t get it. “Dyl, there are a lot of better options, but you’re my brother, Katie’s number one fan, and I needyouhere.”
He nods before curling his arm around my shoulders, and while I’m happy he seems to understand, his silence concerns me a little.I hope I’m doing the right thing.
Katie, Dylan, and I run around the park until five thirty comes along—go time. Making my way to the parking lot, I wait anxiously, wringing my fingers, while Dylan and Katie continue to play behind me, close enough that Dylan can keep an eye on us both. I’m not ready for this, at all, but he wants to get to know his daughter, and what choice do I have?
Greg arrives a couple of minutes late and jumps out of his car as soon as it’s in park. “I’m so sorry. I swear I left work on time; traffic was a nightmare.”
The sincerity in his voice shocks me, but I recover enough to respond. “It’s fine. It’s barely been five minutes. Are you still working in the city?”
“I am, but not at the same joint. I’ve moved up in the world.”
I figured as much when he mentioned money, but thought I’d ask. I’m about to ask another question to delay him, when Greg’s eyes flash to the playground and then back to me, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Can I see her?”
I internally flinch and hope my anxiety doesn’t show on my face. “That’s why we’re here,” I say uncomfortably, forcing the words out. “You should know that Katie knows who you are. Or at least, she knows she’s meeting her father today. She’s excited. Don’t mess this up.”
