Free The Daddy Decision by Donna Sterling Page A

didn’t necessarily end in emotional pain for either party. If both entered into it with honesty and open minds, an intimate relationship could satisfy profound adult needs. Needs that she really shouldn’t ignore....
    â€œSo what do we do?” Tamika asked, lifting her palms. As Cort was about to suggest that they butt out and mind their own business, she turned to him. “How about if you make it clear that you won’t be home while she’s decorating your house? I’m sure she’d go, then. I can stay with her. I′ll bring my sweet little Toby and let Laura see how much work a baby can be, and how much emotional support a husband gives, and—”
    â€œForget it,” Cort interjected. “I’m going to be there, at my house. With Laura. Alone.” He’d spoken more harshly than he’d intended. Both women looked at him in mild surprise. Tamika tucked her tongue against her cheek.
    â€œI think Laura might accept the decorating job even if he is home,” said Steffie. “She’s very dedicated to her work. And I don’t see how a week or so with Cort could backfire. We both agree that she needs to get involved with a man,
at least long enough to remind her of what she’s missing. Why not Cort?”
    Cort wryly shook his head at their assumptions. But he couldn’t deny to himself the heat that surged through his blood at the very thought of “reminding her of what she was missing.”
    â€œThink, Stef,” urged Tamika. “Why has she broken up with every man she’s been involved with over the past fifteen years? Why has her longest relationship lasted only a few months?”
    â€œWell, she says she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. If she thinks a guy is getting too serious, she breaks off with him for his own good.”
    â€œAnd what made her so sensitive to that kind of hurt?”
    â€œHer parents despise each other. They′ve made an art form out of keeping each other miserable. And then, of course, she was hurt herself.”
    â€œBy whom?”
    â€œBy—” Steffie stopped and glanced at Cort. Remorse lanced through him. “But that was a long time ago. A silly infatuation, she calls it. She’s been over Cort for years! Their past might actually work in our favor. She knows he isn’t interested in anything serious, so she won’t worry about hurting him. Maybe she’ll relax and let things happen. ”
    â€œI’m so glad you’re planning all this out,” Cort muttered, trying not to focus on the news that Laura considered their past relationship a “silly infatuation,” and that she’d been over him for years. She’d told him as much, of course. Time proved you right. There was nothing between us except sex .
    The sense of loss bore down on him with renewed force.
    â€³Meanwhile,” Steffie continued, unfazed by his sarcasm, “while she’s staying with Cort, he can try to talk her
out of her parenting plan. And we’ll call her and add our two cents’ worth, too. We can also work on Fletcher. Make him see how hard it is to raise children. He’s the one you should visit with the baby for a week or so.”
    â€œOh, right,” Tamika retorted. “Hoss would love that.”
    â€œI’d suggest you ladies admit that this entire matter is beyond your control—if you’re capable of understanding that concept,” said Cort, “and go to bed.”
    â€œYou are going to try to help us talk them out of their parenting plan, aren’t you, Cort?” Steffie asked.
    Another knock sounded at the door. “Stef? Tamika? Are you in there?”
    Cort shut his eyes in weary annoyance.
    B.J. stuck her head into the room. “Hoss told me I’d probably find you both here.” She strolled in, nudged Cort’s outstretched legs aside and plopped down onto the bed. “So, what’s the plan? How do we