Free Outer Core by Sigal Ehrlich Page B

“Probably not.” Yeah, not much thought behind this quick reply. “It’s not what it looks like. This woman is probably after money or publicity.”
    â€œLet me get this straight, it’s not a complete farce then?” The anger and disappointment in my father’s voice is depressing, making my self-conscious grow.
    I squirm in my chair once more. “Um . . .” I hesitate, trying to figure out what would be the correct way to make this debacle a tad more palatable.
    â€œOh Lordy me,” my mom breathes in the background.
    â€œHayley, what can I tell you, I might be old-fashioned, but as I see it, in a healthy relationship, you shouldn’t have to worry whether your significant other has allegedly impregnated someone. You don’t need to be in such a relationship. For heaven’s sake, you need to be with someone who respects you and cherishes everything that you are. Now would be as good a time as ever to get out of this relationship.”
    Oh, please, Dad, why don’t you rip that open wound a little wider? Rub some salt in while you’re at it. “Dad, I’m not going to . . .” I’m stopped by the chime of a cell phone coming from the other end.
    â€œThe nerve,” my father seethes. “I need to answer this one; it’s your fiancé.” So much disdain in so few words.
    Shit!
    â€œNo, Dad, don’t –” But it’s too late.
    . . .
    â€œYou called my dad?” is how I greet Daniel as he steps into the house. He looks at me from above the two paper bags from some organic store in his hands. My head jerks back in surprise at the odd domestic vision before me. My brows pull in. D, you went grocery shopping?
    â€œWhat did you think?” he asks, bringing me back to my question. “That I’ll sit this one out and let you get all the fire?”
    â€œHe’s not exactly in your favor at the moment,” I say, following him to the kitchen.
    Daniel sets the bags on the counter and turns to kiss my lips. “He never was.” Turning back, he starts getting stuff out of the brown paper bags.
    â€œSo what did you talk about?” Besides the obvious . My eyes bounce from Daniel to the items he takes out of the bags.
    â€œI tried to explain the situation.” He puts a few avocados, some bizarre bags of seeds, and a container of pomegranate juice on the counter. “And then I basically let him bust my balls.”
    I’m not sure what jars me more, what Daniel just told me, or the odd produce that has assembled on the counter. “You didn’t have to do that,” I say, taking a step toward him. I send my hand to his waist, pulling at it so he’ll turn to face me. Daniel turns and leans his lower back to the counter. I take another step to plant myself between his legs. “Really, you didn’t have to do that but thank you.” I kiss his jaw.
    â€œIt’s a fucked-up situation.” He sighs and buries his face in my hair. I hug him tight, kissing his chest through his shirt. Taking a lungful of comfort that is his Daniel scent.
    â€œI took the paternity test today.”
    I slowly trail my eyes up to his. “I didn’t know you could have it done before the child was born. She agreed to cooperate?”
    â€œYes, you can. My lawyer promised her money regardless of the results.” Daniel jaw is working under his tanned skin.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause I want to leave it behind us as soon as possible.”
    I hug him tighter. “So do I.” Easing off, my eyes land on the peculiar products I almost forgot about. “What have you got here? What’s this?” I lift the brown seeds packet, closely inspecting it. Flaxseed ?
    â€œThings you should be eating while trying to conceive,” Daniel says like it’s the most natural thing for him to talk about.
    My eyes shoot up to his. “How did you even know what