Page 14 of A Bossy Surprise

Now, it’s possible I am someone’s father.

I can’t believe this. I’m trying to come up with ways that this can’t be true, but the timeline adds up.

This would certainly explain why Kayla was acting so squirrely today. I thought she was so ill at ease because of whathappened between us all those years ago, but this makes way more sense.

Whatever the case is, I need to know right now.

I have to look her in the eye as I ask.

I need to know whether her son, Brady, is also my son.

5

KAYLA

Today has really been a day.

As if the multiple heart attacks I had because of Adam weren’t enough, getting Brady to bed was a marathon.

For some reason he was more boisterous than usual. Almost as if he could sense that there’s a disturbance in the force.

In the end, I got him to climb into his bat mobile bed by promising him ice cream with dinner tomorrow.

Finally, I can kick back and get a little bit of a respite from the day. Considering that I’m about to become way busier than I’ve ever been in my life because of my new job, this will probably be the last night in a while that I can do this.

I pour myself a glass of white wine and head to the living room. I switch on an old episode ofSex and the Cityand kick my legs up on the coffee table as I lean back with a groan.

Noodle, our white teacup Pomeranian jumps up on my lap, turns a couple of times then settles herself on me.

I scratched her head and she leans into my touch.

Even though she’s fully grown, she’s barely bigger than when we got her as a puppy. Brady was the one who named her. He said she looked like a noodle. I don’t know the connection myson’s three-year-old brain made between this tiny lump of a dog and a noodle, but I went with it. So that’s what we call her.

I’m halfway through my episode when a knock sounds from my front door. Immediately, Noodle starts barking.

Startled, I get up and try to calm her down as best I can so she doesn’t wake Brady up.

Once I’ve gotten her quiet, I move her onto the couch, put my wine glasses down and head to the door.

I look through the peep hole and I almost think I’m hallucinating.

It’s Adam.

Will there ever be an end to this Godforsaken day?

What is he doing here? And how does he know where I live?

Maybe if I don’t answer the door he’ll think no one’s home and leave.

That won’t work. My apartment isn’t that big. I’m sure he’s already heard the TV.

That, however, doesn’t stop me from hoping he’ll leave regardless.

When he knocks a second time and sets Noodle off again, it’s clear that he isn’t going anywhere.

I take a step back and assess my attire. I am wearing an oversized light green sweat suit with my hair up in a messy bun.

Do I have time to change into something better?