Warm flutters fill my stomach, bringing back memories and emotions I’ve worked hard to push away. I twist my body, freeing myself from his touch. “Don’t do that.”
Logan shoves his hand into his pocket, a worry line appearing between his brows. “Don’t do what?”
“Pretend like we’re friends. We’re not. I’m Molly’s mom. You’re just the guy who knocked me up and got away with not paying child support the last few years.”
Logan’s jaw hardens, the little vein by his eye pulsating. It was a low blow on my part, but I need to hold onto something. Hate is easier to manage than flutters. He got me pregnant. He wasn’t there until it was too late. And now, when I’d finally begun to see progress with Molly’s therapist, he forces me to move home.
Logan steps closer, invading my personal space. His scent fills my nostrils, memories of long nights and warm cuddles flicker like a movie. “I could have been so much more than a fucking sperm donor. You’re just a bitch who wouldn’t give me the chance.”
21
Logan
Goddamn Danika. I’m trying so hard to do things the right way, and she has to bust my balls. Had I known Molly existed, I would have fought for her. Paid child support. Spent every available minute with her. Hell, the way Dani and I were back in high school, and as cosmic as we were at the wedding, I probably would have married her already and we’d be one big happy family.
But Danika took the easy way out. She left me and took our baby with her. I’ve missed every milestone of Molly’s life because of that woman.
That’s.
Not.
My.
Fault.
Was threatening Danika with kidnapping charges, knowing she couldn’t afford legal representation, a dick move? Ab-so-fucking-lutely, but I don’t care. I played nice. I called. I texted. I tried to visit. Outside of snatching my own kid and bringing her across state lines myself (which my lawyer father said was frowned upon), I was out of options.
So, here we are.
I take a breath and try to get a handle on my emotions. Kids are like sharks, they can sense fear and frustration. I need to calm down and relax before trying to talk to Molly. I lean against the partition separating the front entrance from the living room and just watch.
Molly is beautiful. Long caramel curls are pulled into a ponytail, but still fall over her shoulder as she leans down to put the last piece of the puzzle in its place. She looks up at Sarah, eyes wide with excitement. Eyes whose color I can’t make out from where I’m standing.
“Good job, Molly,” Sarah encourages in her fake, cheerleader voice. I get it though, kids feed off that energy. Off the happiness.
I clear my throat, announcing my presence without scaring anyone. Sarah turns her gaze to me. Molly does the same, her beautiful smile falling the moment she sees me—the strange man who has come into her new house. She scoots herself back, using Sarah as a human shield.
I wave and take slow, careful steps. Danika warned me Molly was shy and not much of a talker. I thought kids were supposed to be chatterboxes, but I was quiet too at this age. Maybe she gets that from me.
Danika also told me not to get my feelings hurt if Molly doesn’t respond to me today. I like that she’s got the stranger-danger thing, but I’m her dad. It’ll be hard not to get my feelings hurt if the kid doesn’t at least smile at me by the end of this visit.
I sit on the ground a couple feet away from them. I point at the puzzle, making sure to smile but not in a holy-fuck-you’re-my-kid kind of way. “Did you do this?”
Molly peeks around Sarah’s shoulder. Her eyes, which I can now see are a hazel-like color, scan me from head to toe. She studies my face a moment, never looking me in the eye, then hides behind Sarah again. Baby steps. “I couldn’t do something like this.” I shake my head for show. I could totally do it. “Who is this? Doctor toy?”
“It’s Doc Mcstuffins,” Sarah chides.
I shoot Sarah a look and she instantly shuts her trap. I don’t care who the damn cartoon is. I’m trying to bond with my kid here! Molly runs from behind Sarah deeper into the house. Every fiber in my body wants to chase after her, but I force myself to stay put. I need her to come to me.
“Great job, dad,” Sarah mocks. She’s clearly not on my team.
“Suck a—”
Molly runs back into the room carrying a stuffed doll of the same character from the puzzle. She stops beside Sarah and holds it out to me. I extend my hand and she gives me the toy. I bring it to my chest and hug it like I want to be hugging her. “Thank you, Molly.”
Molly smiles again, bouncing on her toes a bit then sits. She holds her arms out, likely for the doll and not me, so I hand it back. She turns to look behind her at the sound of footsteps. Danika enters the room clutching an I wish I was sleeping mug between both hands. Molly raises her hand. She places the tip of her thumb on her chin with her index finger extended. Then bends her index finger twice.
“This,” Danika says settling onto the couch, “is your dad, Logan. You can call him Dad or Logan. Whichever you’re comfortable with, sweetie.”