Page 100 of Princess and the Player
He rakes both hands through his hair. “I don’t want kids and you ...”
“I kept the baby because she’s mine.”
“She?”
“Just a hunch. I don’t want to know the sex.” Trying to stay calm, I stuff the rest of the papers back inside the envelope.
His throat bobs. “And you’ve known all the time and didn’t ...” His voice cracks. “You lied to me. Jesus, this explains so much. Darden ...”
I keep silent. This may take a minute. Hearing it, refusing to believe it, anger, and then the bargaining and acceptance.
How long will it take him to accept that he’s going to be a father?
“I want a paternity test.”
I shove down the pain that causes to my heart. It makes sense coming from him and how we met. He’s a celebrity, and I’m just me. “Of course.”
“What do you want from me? How much?”
Oh, if I thought his earlier comment caused pain, this one decimates me. Distrust and anger layer his voice.
“All I want is you.” More tears slide down my face.
He gives me an incredulous look, his breathing uneven. “I can’t do ...” He dips his head and sucks in breaths, then exhales.
“Tuck?” My voice rises as I rush over to him. I touch his arm. “Are you okay?”
He shakes me off, his chest rising rapidly as he speaks. “Francesca. Leave. Please.”
I can’t. I sit on the floor next to his chair and look up at him. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t to trap you. I was scared. I meant to. I tried—”
“How can I trust anything you say?” Fierce eyes blaze. “When you’ve been lying for months! I feel like a fool.”
He stands, seeming to be more in control. He snaps up the envelope, not looking at me—as if he’s already erasing me.
He doesn’t want a family, and I’m foisting one on him. I get how I was in the wrong, but my heart is shattering.
“Do you think this is the first paternity issue I’ve had? It’s not. And they were all false. My lawyers will contact you.”
Dots dance in front of my eyes as a dizzy spell washes over me. I cling to the end of the chair and push up, bit by bit. He doesn’t notice as he pours himself another drink.
“Don’t let us slip away.”
He closes his eyes. “Please, for God’s sake, leave.”
I grab my satchel and go.
Chapter 19
FRANCESCA
It takes two to three business days to get a paternity test back, but when you’re Tuck Avery, it’s only twenty-four hours. Two days after I saw him in his penthouse, his lawyer, Mr.Shapiro, called to schedule a lab visit for me. I went with Brogan and Cece, gave blood, and left. Mr.Shapiro attended. As I left the office, Tuck walked in. He wore no coat and wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Have some peppermint tea,” Mr.Darden says as he sets a cup and saucer on his desk.
I blink, looking up. I’m still using his laptop. I ordered a new one, but it has been delayed and hasn’t arrived. I’m glad. I don’t want to be alone in my apartment.
“All right,” I murmur.
