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“Thanks. We’ll be getting the results in a few days. So it won’t be a secret for much longer.”
“Billie knows, though,” I said.
Holden raised his forehead. “No shit?”
“Billie’s the best secret keeper.” Lala elbowed her husband. “Unlikesomepeople.”
“Not true,” Holden said. “I hid the fact very well that you and I were messing around back in the day.” He looked over at Owen, and his eyes began to water. Then he sniffled. “Fuck…”
I looked at Holden in shock.
“Are you crying?” Lala laughed a little.
“I’m getting emotional.” He wiped his eyes. “I never thought Owen would be a father. I know we don’t know for sure, but damn, I’m about to lose it anyway.”
Owen smacked him on the back. “You and me both, dude.”
***
The following day Owen and I were supposed to go out to dinner after he got off work, but he took a detour.
He parked in front of a beautiful brownstone downtown in Gramercy Park. We got out and stood in front.
I looked around at the upscale neighborhood. “What are we doing here?”
He gestured toward the stairs. “I thought you might want to take a look. It’s coming on the market and hasn’t been formally posted yet. A friend of mine is the listing agent. Four bedrooms.”
“Why would I be interested in looking at this?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He nudged his head. “Come on. He let me borrow the key.”
The house was beautiful inside: high ceilings, gorgeous crown molding, a dark wood staircase, and beautiful architecture. I followed Owen through the space in a daze.
We stopped in the kitchen, and I had to ask, “Are you doing this because of what Robert pulled? Saying he was looking for a place here?”
“Of course not.” Owen crossed his arms. “This has nothing to do with him, Devyn. This is aboutus. We need more space. And even if you decide you want to move back to California, we could be bicoastal. We’ll need a bigger place here no matter what.”
I looked out the window at the small garden in back. I couldn’t, in good conscience, let Owen buy a property when I didn’t know how he’d feel if Robert ended up being the father.
“It’s beautiful. But wouldn’t you want to wait until...” My words trailed off.
Owen stared into my eyes. “I’ve told you the paternity results don’t change anything for me. You’re the one who seems to be holding back. At first I thought your hesitation was because you refused to believe my word, but I’m not sure if that’s it anymore.”
My heart raced. “What are you saying?”
“If you can’t decide to be with me, you must still have feelings forhim.”
Fear stabbed through me. “That’s not it, Owen. I just don’t want you getting in over your head.”
“I’ve given you my word that you have my heart regardless of the outcome of that test. But you haven’t done the same. You haven’t given me any assurance. I’m not sure what more I can do, but maybe there’s nothing. The ball is in your court, Dev. You either want me in your life or you don’t.” His face reddened. “But if you’re gonna choose him, please let me know sooner rather than later.”
CHAPTER 27
Devyn
“Miss Marks, do you have a moment?”
I looked up. “Umm…sure.”
