Who's Your Daddy? by Lauren Gallagher Read Free Book Online Page A

leaned forward and put a hand on her shoulder. “We’re part of this too, Carmen,” he said softly. “You’re not in this by yourself.”
    She nodded, pressing her lips together and blinking rapidly, probably trying to maintain her composure.
    “Though,” Donovan said, “much as I’d love to help you with it, you’re pretty much on your own with the physical stuff.”
    Carmen laughed, and so did we. Donovan always did know just when and how to ease the tension in a room.
    “If you’re worried we’ll leave you high and dry,” I said, “don’t be. You know us better than that.”
    “I know, I know, and I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything.” She sighed. “But let’s face it. You guys have each other. You already have a relationship. Even though I have no doubt at all that I’ll have your support, I’m still a single mom.”
    We exchanged glances. Donovan chewed the inside of his cheek. She had a point, and I wasn’t sure just what either of us could say.
    “Well,” I said finally. “We’ll help where we can.”
    He put a hand on her knee. “We can’t magically make everything about the situation easy, but if there’s anything we can do, just ask.”
    “Thank you.” She put her hand over his and all three of us watched in silence as her thumb drew slow arcs back and forth over his. “I’ll probably need you guys to help me move at some point,” she said. “I don’t know where yet, but I can’t stay in that apartment with my sister. It’s crowded enough with just the two of us. A baby would be too much.”
    Donovan and I exchanged a look. He gave me a subtle nod. I was thankful we’d long ago mastered the art of nonverbal communication.
    I looked at Carmen. “We might be able to move you in here if that’s an option for you.”
    “I can’t ask you to do that,” she said. “This is your place. And you’d have to explain that to Ryan.”
    Donovan grimaced. “Oh, shit. I hadn’t even thought of that part yet.”
    Carmen gave him an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Don, I’m—”
    “No, don’t apologize.” He put his other hand on top of hers. “You have nothing to apologize for. We were just as much a part of this as you. It isn’t like this is something you did to us.”
    “To be fair,” I deadpanned, “one of us technically did it to her.”
    Carmen snorted with laughter, and Donovan chuckled.
    “And as for everything with Ryan,” I said, “that’s not something we have to sort out tonight. We do have time to figure a lot of things out.”
    “Thank God for that,” Carmen muttered. She looked at me, then Donovan. “Is this going to cause problems with you guys? I mean, one of you—”
    “No,” he and I both said.
    “It’s not like one of us cheated on the other,” I said.
    “What about a paternity test?” she asked. “I suppose we should get one. That way if there’s any genetic things we should be aware of…”
    “She’s right,” Donovan said. “When do they usually do paternity tests, anyway? Before or after the baby’s born?”
    Carmen fidgeted, laying a hand across her lower abdomen. “Depending on how they do it, I think I’d rather wait until after.”
    “I’m fine with that.” I looked at Donovan. “You?”
    He nodded. “Of course. Honestly I don’t see how it would be relevant until the baby’s here anyway, so if you’re not comfortable with it, Carmen, then it can wait.”
    He was right, and I couldn’t argue. At the same time, some part of me itched to know . An unanswered question, a piece of uncertainty, hanging over our heads for months? The very thought almost made me break out in hives. I’d respect her wishes completely, but there was a knot in my gut now that wouldn’t loosen until those test results came back.
    “So, the test can wait,” Donovan said. “But regardless of who the biological father is, we’ll still do everything we can. Both of us.” He looked at me, eyebrows raised as if to ask if he’d