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Chapter Thirty-Six
Tish
A few minutes later, I stood in the parking lot beside my vehicle. My arms were crossed tightly and my eyes pinned on Paul.
“I thought we should talk,” he was saying.
“Paul, you ignored my texts. It’s been over a year. You can’t just show up like this and demand to be involved. You can talk to my attorney.”
“Come on,” he cajoled.
“No. You know how I got pregnant and I don’t intend to hide it. I’m not opposed to your parents being involved.” I paused and tried to breathe. “You’re not calling the shots. You have my attorney’s number.”
Just then, Griffin’s truck pulled up beside my car, a little gravel kicking up behind his tires. In seconds, he was by my side. “Leave Tish alone,” he said, his tone low.
“Who the fuck are you?” Paul countered.
“That’s none of your fucking business.” I could feel Griffin’s anger rippling under the surface.
“I can deal with this,” I said under my breath.
He glanced to me quickly, fury burning in his gaze. His anger wasn’t directed toward me, but I felt like he was stepping in too fast and trying to take over.
Paul glanced between us, his eyes narrowing. “What? Are you two a couple?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation with Paul. I was furious with him for showing up like this and didn’t trust him, not even for a second. “That’s none of your fucking business,” I repeated Griffin’s comment.
Paul studied me for a few beats. “I’ll talk to your lawyer. I don’t want anything to do with your baby, but my parents do, so this is for them.”
As he drove away, I was shaking. Griffin curled an arm around my shoulders. “Colin will handle this. Phoebe called me, if you’re wondering why I’m here,” he added.
I took a slow breath. I couldn’t make sense of my feelings. I was relieved Griffin was here, but it also felt as if all of this was spiraling out of control. Much as I loved Teddy with my whole heart, a baby was a shocking lesson in learning how much you couldn’t control. One tiny human ran my life now and I was terrified Paul’s interference might hurt us.
“I have to go to work,” I said.
Griffin looked like he wanted to say more, but I just didn’t have it in me to deal with anything else.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Griffin
Tish: Rain check for tonight? Bad headache.
My eyes scanned her text again. I wanted to argue the point, to tell her I would make dinner for her and feed Teddy. I would make sure she could rest quietly. But I knew she needed time to herself. Though it literally made my heart ache, I had to back off.
Me: Of course. If you need anything, text me and I’ll be there.
Hours later, I was trying to ignore my cranky mood. I was at Wildlands Restaurant & Bar with some of the guys from the station.
“What’s up?” Beck asked from my side.
I glanced his way. “Hanging out with you guys,” I said with a chuckle.
He cocked his head to the side. “You seem like, I don’t know, like you’re worried about something.”
“Buckle up for some life advice,” Graham offered dryly from across the table.
“Life advice?” I countered.
