Page 59 of His Long-Lost Baby

I nod, my vision spinning. “Be right back.”

I begin walking as fast as I can manage without running, and I push through the door into the women’s room.

The door swings closed behind me with a thump, and I sink to the floor in the corner, pressing my back against the wall.

I’m the first to admit that I’m not the bravest person in the world. I’m also the first to admit that I’m not the smartest either.

But we’re talking about something different.

This is something completely out of my comfort zone.

My hand flies up to my mouth, and I take a deep breath.

I could walk out there right now and tell him. I could let the chips fall where they may.

As I glance up at the ceiling, I can feel the heat rising in my face. The pressure in my chest is like an elephant sitting on my chest, and I’m sure I’m turning redder by the second.

I take my phone out of my purse and call Monica.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

“What happened?” Monica answers.

“I need your help,” I whisper.

“What’s going on?” she asks, concern lacing her voice.

“I need to tell James about Quinn. I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know if I can do it,” I admit, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Monica speaks. “You could not tell him. The medical information you wanted isn’t there, Billie. Your mission is over. You can walk away now.”

I shake my head, even though she can’t see me. “I can’t. Quinn deserves to know the truth, and James deserves to know why I’m doing all of this.”

“But what about you? What do you deserve?” Monica asks softly.

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “I just want to do the right thing. For everyone involved.”

There’s a rustling on the other end of the line, and then Monica’s voice comes back, resolute. “There’s more to it than that, though.”

She’s trying to get me to admit something, and I know it. And she knows that I know it.

I bite my lip and close my eyes. “I love him.”

Monica doesn’t respond immediately, and I can sense the weight of her silence on the other end of the phone. I feel exposed, like I’ve said too much, but at the same time, it’s a relief to finally say it out loud.

“I know you do,” Monica finally says, her voice soft. “But you have to ask yourself if telling him is worth the risk. It could change everything.”

“I know,” I say. “But I can’t keep hiding it. Not anymore.”

There’s another pause before Monica speaks again. “Okay. Then there’s your answer.”

I feel a surge of gratitude for my best friend, and I wipe away the tears that have fallen down my face. “Thank you, Monica. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Anytime. You can do this, Billie. Now get back out there and face the music. And remember, you’re doing this for Quinn.”

I hang up the phone and take another deep breath before standing up.

At the sink, I splash some cold water on my face and stare at my reflection.