Page 93 of Mile High Baby

He laughed derisively. “Oh, right. Are you going to say you love her now? That she’s—”

“Yes.”

Henry’s mouth clamped shut. “What did you say?”

“I said I love her. I never told her that. She won’t ever know it unless you tell her.” I held my hands up in surrender. “I don’t want to get between you two.”

“Oh, so now you’re a saint and I’m the bad guy?”

“Jesus fuck, Henry. What do you want me to say?”

“How about you’re sorry?”

“I can’t do that.”

He stepped closer to me, and for the first time in our lives, Henry could overpower me and kick my ass. The look in his eyes suggested he might. “You fuck my daughter and you’re not sorry? You betrayed me, and you’re not sorry.”

I shook my head even as it hurt me. But it would hurt more to say that I was sorry for any of it.

“I’m sorry that I hurt you, that I’ve lost you as a friend—”

“For what? You say you love my daughter and yet she’s home bawling her eyes out.”

My gut clenched. “I’m sure you told her I was no good for her.”

“Of course I did. But she’s got it in her head that she loves you. I told her this was your way. Fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. You did that to my daughter, you fucking bastard.”

“Mr. Sterling, is everything okay?” the nurse poked her head in the door.

“It’s fine.”

She looked at Henry with skeptical eyes.

“Really.”Even if he kills me, it’s okay.

She exited.

“So this is it. You’re going to recuperate and go back to London, fucking and leaving more women.”

“Henry...” I didn’t know what to say. “If I stayed with her, it would ruin what you two have. If I leave... she’ll get over me and you’ll be back to normal.”

“Stayed.” He jerked back. “Is that even an option?”

I closed my eyes. “If I thought it could work out... if I wouldn’t be a wedge between you, then yes.” I laughed. “The other night, God, it feels like a million years ago, you were hassling me about being in love. And I said all the things you expected me to say, but they were lies. They were lies because of Victoria. But she’s your daughter, and I knew there was no fucking way I could make something with her.”

He stared at me. “You mean to say that you’ve finally fallen in love and it’s my daughter? For real? For fucking real?”

I nodded.

“Fucking hell.” He turned away, running both hands through his hair. He whirled around.

“You think I’m too old?”

“I don’t think you’re too old.”

Really? I hadn’t expected that.

“It feels creepy because you’re my friend.” He continued to stare at me. “Fuck, fuck, fuck...”