Chloe interjected, “It’s big. You can stay with us.”

“I was actually going to ask Graham if he wanted to join us, Chloe.”

She made it clear the invitation was not a plus one.

Graham didn’t seem to give a shit. “Soraya and I would very much like to attend your birthday party, Chloe. We’ll see if we can make that happen. Thank you for the invitation.”

When it was time to go, I saw in Graham’s eyes he wasn’t ready to leave his daughter yet. His daughter. It still didn’t seem real. Out in front of the restaurant, Chloe gave me a quick squeeze goodbye and then turned to Graham. He crouched down at eye level on the street and spoke to her.

“Is there something special you want for your birthday, sweetheart?”

Her finger went to the tip of her nose while she looked up to the sky. When she looked Graham square in the eyes and delivered her answer, she couldn’t have known the irony of fate. “I want my dad back.”

CHAPTER 22

GRAHAM

IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, I went from Genevieve being a distant memory to her calling on a regular basis and showing up at my office unannounced.

I took off my glasses and scrubbed my hands over my face before pushing the intercom button. “Send her in.”

Genevieve strutted into my office and planted herself on the other side of my desk in a guest chair.

“We need to talk.”

“Is Chloe alright?”

“She’s fine.”

“Then what are you doing here, Genevieve?”

“I just said we need to talk.”

I slipped my glasses back on my face and dug back into the pile of papers on my desk, not looking up when I spoke. “I’m busy. Make an appointment on your way out.”

She sighed loudly but didn’t budge. “Chloe’s birthday party is a family event.”

“And…”

“You should be there.”

“I told you the other night when we spoke that we would attend.”

“She’s not family.”

“Not yet, no.”

Genevieve looked startled. “You can’t be serious? Saying something like that? How long have you known each other? You have a daughter to consider now. As a father figure, you shouldn’t be introducing our daughter to someone who you barely even know. Chloe could get attached.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“You barely even know each other. What’s it been? A month? Two months?”

“I know her better than I ever knew you.”

“We spent nearly three years together.”

“And yet I never knew the woman you were. The things you were capable of.”

“That’s not fair.”

“On the contrary. I think I’ve been exceedingly fair with you. More so than you even deserve. You slept with my best friend, deprived me of my daughter for more than four years, and now you show up at my office unannounced to insult someone who I care deeply about.”

“She’s not right for you.”

“Let me guess. You are?”

“Well…yes. We’re on the same level, Graham.”

“I don’t think so. I would never have fucked Avery.”

She flinched, but recovered quickly, straightening her back as she spoke. “She has a tongue ring. I saw it the other day.”

“Yes. And it feels incredible on my cock.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It won’t last.”

“Get out, Genevieve. I have work to do.”

“I’m just trying to protect my daughter.”

“Our daughter.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Out.” I pointed to the door.

“Fine.” She stood. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She huffed off.

That night, I took Soraya out to dinner. Now that I’d squared away with Genevieve that Soraya would be with me for Chloe’s party this weekend, the only thing left was convincing Soraya to go with me. She’d already voiced doubts about going. I didn’t broach the subject during our meal, thinking it was better to ply her with good food and wine and make my move later in the evening.

The last hour I’d spent bringing her to orgasm first with my mouth, and then a second time as we made love, me spooning her from behind. When she let out a relaxed and comforted sigh, I decided it was time. Still behind her, I kissed a bare shoulder and molded my body around hers. “It would mean a lot to me if you came with me this weekend.”

“I don’t know, Graham.”