The Playboy's Baby(11)

He jerked his gaze to the window beyond her, staring out into the darkness beyond. Something, anything, rather than looking into her eyes. “Look, Janey and I talked the next morning. We both agreed neither of us wanted any emotional complications and it should stay at one night. When we parted at the end of the weekend, she said she was fine with it.”

He was closer to Janey than anyone, able to share things with her he couldn’t share with anyone else, and that night had been no different. They needed each other with something beyond friendship or love. The morning after they both admitted their night together wasn’t about attraction—that, in fact, neither had ever been attracted to the other—but about the need for physical intimacy, a deeper sense of connection to another human being. Having been hurt one too many times, each of them needed it with someone they trusted, and they were able to give each other that. He couldn’t explain the whole notion to Emma if he tried.

He shrugged and looked over at Emma. “Is there a point to all of this?”

She turned away and went silent for so long he wondered if she’d ever say anything. The silence grated on his nerves.

Finally, she turned to face him, a quiet determination in her gaze that knotted his gut. “Do you still have the letter?”

A stone of dread dropped in his stomach. Dillon knew what she was going to say even before the words left her mouth but nodded anyway. “Yes.”

“Read it.” Shifting Annie to one arm, she reached out, laid a hand on his bicep, her eyes pleading with him. “Please.”

Dillon heaved a sigh and nodded, reached behind him and pulled the letter from his back pocket. He moved to the sofa and sank onto the soft leather seat before unfolding the paper. He drew in a deep fortifying breath and dove in.





Dillon,

By now you’re likely wondering why I’ve been avoiding you. Truth is, I have something I’ve kept from you. I have a daughter. She’s yours. The result of the one and only night we shared—Vegas. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew immediately I wanted to keep her. I also know you. I’ve been your best friend for twenty years.

I’ve watched them over the years. The women come and go, trying to use you. I’ve had to watch them break your heart and steal that light from your eyes. I hated seeing what Leila did to you. You don’t admit it, but you’re not the same. You used to be so vibrant. You hold back now.

When I decided to keep the baby, I also decided to keep her father’s identity a secret. Not even Emma knows. I knew if I told her, she’d tell you, and I refused to be one of those women who used you. I couldn’t bear to do to you what they did. I knew I could take care of her on my own.

I miss you, Dillon. You’ve been my best friend since kindergarten. I’ve shared my entire life with you from the day we first met. I’ve never kept anything from you, so to keep this from you feels…wrong. She’s five months old now and she is…amazing, which made me realize keeping her to myself is selfish. Emma is right—she deserves to know her father. And you deserve to know her.

I know this letter is taking the coward’s way out. I should have called, but I’m afraid. I’m terrified of what you must think of me right now. I’ve lied to you, shut you out, no doubt made you feel like you did something wrong. I only hope you can forgive me.

~Janey





Chapter Three





Emma clutched Annie tighter, using her like a lifeline, and waited for Dillon’s reaction. After reading Janey’s letter, he swore under his breath, flung the paper to the couch beside him, and surged to his feet. For several minutes, he silently paced an invisible line. The front part of his house had an open floor plan, with the kitchen, dining and living areas separated only by an expanse of wooden flooring. He made his way back and forth along one slip of counter at the edge of the kitchen. A deep scowl etched his brow, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He reminded her of a ticked-off bull who hadn’t yet figured out which direction to charge. It made her chest tighten to watch him. She couldn’t lessen the blow of this one.

“I’m so sorry.” She shook her head. “If I’d known, I would have demanded Janey tell you sooner.”

“Dammit.” His head snapped in her direction, his dark eyes hot. “Why the hell didn’t she come to me? What did she think, I’d deny it? Just abandon her? Tell her too bad, so sad, deal with it?” He shook his head, spun away and dragged both hands through his hair. “Like all the rest of the men in her life, I suppose. Why should I be any different? Never mind I’ve known her my entire damn life.”