Her Dad’s Best Friend novel Chapter 30

“Yeah, okay.” Her eyelids flutter as she blinks rapidly. “So I knew that I was pregnant after we broke up.” She sticks her spoon in her coconut surprise.

“Why didn’t you call me? You had my phone number.”

“I tried to call your office first.”

“And?”

“Your secretary knew that we had broken up, but I told her that it was urgent. So I talked her into sending the call to Jack instead so he could make the call.”

“And?” The strawberry frozen yogurt tastes too sour.

“Jack heard me out. We came to an agreement. He paid me every month, and in return, I didn’t ruin your life. You’d already said goodbye to me. I knew that you didn’t want to be around me. As long as the checks kept coming, everyone was happy.”

“How much was he sending you?”

She names a number that makes me whistle.

“That’s a lot of money.”

“Silence is expensive.” She waves her hands. I notice that she’s wearing a lot of jewelry, various rings, bracelets, and a necklace that looks like it could be in a window display case. “And we’ve never gone without anything. Ryan’s had everything I’ve ever wanted for him.” Her tone is defensive, and I don’t know why.

“You’ve taken care of him, then.” I don’t say anything about Ryan’s disconnect from reality. If he is my son, there’s time to fix it. If he’s not, I don’t have to care.

“In every way but one…he’s never had a father.”

I can see that, but I say, “You might fix that today.”

She stares at her hands. One of her rings is catching the sunlight and throwing rainbows on the wall. “I have to tell you something.”