The Naked Truth(9)
“Okay,” he said in a throaty tone. “You’ve got the job.”
Pulling her panties back up, she grinned. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know what Freddy was thinking, but man, you’re one hot piece of ass. When can you start?”
“Next week.” She had to wait until Josh was gone.
“Saturday night or not at all.”
Reaching down, she grabbed her clothes. “I can do Saturday.”
“Good.”
She dressed and then met him off the stage. “I really appreciate it, Mr. Taylor.”
His eyes were dilated and she had a feeling he was hoping she’d reciprocate how much she appreciated it.
“I have to go get my daughter from school. I’ll see you Saturday evening.”
He nodded. “Seven. Don’t be late.”
Abigail left as quickly as she could. She had to get Hailey now and across town for the DNA test. And she still hadn’t figure out how to tell Hailey why she was getting her cheek swabbed.
* * * *
Josh sat in the waiting room. Abigail and Hailey were running late, but at least Abigail had called and let him know. Traffic was backed up, she said, from a train.
He thought back to his conversation with Nate, who warned him not to get attached just yet. But it was too late for that. Just as he’d told Abigail last night, he knew without a doubt that little girl was his. He felt a bond with her immediately and when she cuddled up with him in the rocker, all the anger and pain he’d been feeling about the situation faded. He was meant to be with her and Abigail, regardless.
Abigail. She was going to be a tough one to convince. She had a brick wall around her and he wasn’t sure she was willing to let anyone in. She’d been doing it alone for years and she was content that way. He was positive the only reason she was letting him anywhere near their daughter was because she’d hidden it from him. If the roles were reversed, she’d have chased him out of there with a baseball bat.
He only had a few more days in town and needed to take that time to win them both over. Nate thought it was crazy that he wanted Abigail and to be a family. Nate felt like he should be angry and take the woman to court. And all kinds of other things. But he wanted Abigail. He always had. He never should’ve let her get away all those years ago. If he had been smart, he’d have gone after her. She’d be a lawyer by now and they might even have another child.
He was going to see that her dreams still came true. She deserved it. Not to be getting naked for men. As long as he had his way, she’d never return to that lifestyle. Even in the event Hailey turned out not to be his, he still wanted both of them.
The door swung open and Abigail and Hailey entered the office. They each had their golden hair up in ponytails.
“Hi, Mr. Carter,” the little girl said as she took a seat next to him. “Mommy said you and I are taking a test.”
“We are. Did she tell you what kind of test?”
She nodded her head real dramatically up and down. “To see if we’re related.”
He grinned at her but didn’t say much else. He then glanced at Abigail, who leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and appeared to be nervous. “How are you?”
“Good.”
He was about to pry a little more, but the door to the back opened and a nurse called their names. “Are you ready?” he asked Hailey.
“I hope so. Mommy said she is taking me for ice cream after this.”
“Oh yum. What’s your favorite kind?” he asked as the three of them went into the back.
“Chocolate with sprinkles.”
“Me too. The sprinkles especially.”
Hailey giggled. “We must be related.”
Abigail helped the little girl up on the table. The test only took a few minutes and they were on their way. In the parking lot, they parted ways. He wanted to spend more time with them, but could tell Abigail needed space. Him being here was getting to her, so he’d give her tonight. But tomorrow he planned to surprise her while Hailey was at pre-school.
* * * *
Abigail removed the yellow gloves and went in search of water to curve her thirst. Whenever she was stressed out, she cleaned. As she sipped the water, pride filled her that her place sparkled and smelled of lemon and bleach. Now to get herself clean.
Setting the bottle down on the counter, she began to lift her shirt up over her head.
Knock knock.
Abigail pulled the edge of her tank top back down. She glanced at the clock and thought it was early for the mail man to be here, but he might’ve been ahead of schedule today. Then again, she wasn’t expecting a package at the moment, so it probably wasn’t the mailman. She stood on her tiptoes and peeked through the peep hole. Josh. What was he doing here?