“I thought it would be her. I thought it would be Gabby.”
He shrugs. “It still can be. Milo doesn’t have to be your only one. Besides, sounds like the mom is giving up all of her rights. Gabby can adopt him.” He holds up his hands to stop me. “Before you spout some bullshit about not putting that on her, you’re wrong. Trust me on this. If you love her, invite her into your life. All of it. Don’t hold back in fear she’s going to run or because you think it’s too much for. Learn from my mistakes. Share it all, be an open fucking book with her. She’s going to surprise you when you do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that. She’s a strong woman, my sister-in-law. She can handle it all if you let her. Enough chitchat; there’s my client.” He motions his head toward the door where an older gentleman is walking into the gym.
Right behind him is my first client of the day as well. Her name is Selena, and she’s handsy and flirty. I smile when necessary, and ward off her roaming hands, but today, all that changes. Today, I’m a new man. I’m Gabby’s man. No more pretending.
“Hey, handsome,” Selena coos.
“It’s Chase,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Oh, he’s broody today. I can help with that.” She runs the nail of her index finger down my arm.
I move abruptly. “My girlfriend wouldn’t like that much.”
“Girlfriend?” she asks, surprised. “Well, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
“Not happening. Please keep your hands to yourself, and enough of the flirting. I can find you a new trainer if you want, but it’s not happening.” No way in hell would I risk losing Gabby over this chick, or any chick for that matter. Referring to her as my girlfriend seems insignificant for how I feel about her, but we’re on our way. Baby steps and all that.
Baby steps.
Milo.
I’m a father.I’ve looked at the clock for what seems like a million times since she left. I’ve texted her a few times and she sent me a picture of Milo sleeping in her arms.
I didn’t hate it.
In fact, the idea of a baby with her excites me in ways I never dreamed possible. My mind drifts to my conversation with Harrison, and he’s right. If Laura, Milo’s mother, relinquishes her rights, he’s ours. Then again, Gabby’s mine, so Milo is hers too by default. I refuse to have it any other way.
I’m going to be an open book.
“There’s Daddy.” I hear from behind me and I don’t need to turn and look to recognize the voice. I’d know her voice anywhere. However, I do turn, needing to set my eyes on her. It’s been way too long.
“Hey.” I smile when I see her with Milo in her arms, wrapped in a soft blue blanket. Bending, I kiss her lips and run my finger over his cheek.
“Hi. You ready to eat? We brought lunch.”
“Starving,” I admit, just not for food.
“Good. I thought bringing lunch would be faster. You can eat while I fill you in on what I found out.”
“Perfect. You, uh, want me to take him?”
“No, he’s fine. You need to eat.” She turns on her heel and heads toward her office. I follow her like the lovesick fool that I am. I would follow her anywhere.
She points to the bag on her desk from the sub shop just around the corner. “I got one for Harrison too. He’s already devoured it.” She laughs.
“Thank you. This is perfect. So, what did you find out? What should we do?” I ask, opening up the sub and taking a healthy bite.
“Well, you don’t need a physician’s order for a DNA test. So I called the lab at the local hospital, and they’ll do it there. It’s a simple procedure. They’ll swab your cheek and his.” She looks down at Milo. “So, painless,” she adds.
“Okay. When do we do it?”
“I just need to call to book an appointment. I didn’t because I wasn’t sure what you wanted to do. It can be costly.”
“What’s costly?” I ask. Not that it matters, it has to be done.
“Around five hundred dollars.”
“Do you mind giving me the number so I can arrange that for you? I need to know.”
“Sure, or I can call them back and schedule for you.”
“I’ll take the first available. Don’t worry about my schedule; we’ll move whatever we have to, to make it happen.”
“Done. I’ll text you the information.”
“Or just tell me when I get home tonight.” I love that I get to go home to her.
She smiles. “I called a local attorney to ask about rights, but I’m waiting for a call back.”
“Thank you, Gabs.” I reach out and give her leg a gentle squeeze. “How has your day been? Anymore blowouts?” I ask, shoving the last of my sub into my mouth.