Page 68 of His Long-Lost Baby

Billie and Quinn.

I still can’t believe I have a daughter.

Closing my eyes, I try to push back the surge of emotions, but it’s no good. The anger, hurt, and confusion haven’t gone anywhere in the last week.

And neither has the excitement.

I have a daughter!

I never wanted kids before, but hearing that I already have one changes the game completely. It makes me want to show up, makes me want to get to know my daughter and makes sure she has the best life possible. Make sure she has all the things I never had.

But there’s still a part of me that’s angry at Sara for not telling me about Quinn. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve missed out on so much, that I don’t know who my daughter is. I don’t know what it’s like to watch her grow up, to be there for her when she needs me, to be her father.

And then there’s Billie.

How could she keep such a big secret from me for so long? I loved that woman, and she crushed me.

Hell, let’s be honest. I still love her.

Groaning, I drop my head into my hands.

When look up, Carlos’s car is coming up the driveway.

I frown. What’s he doing here? Did we have plans?

Not that I’m not happy to see him. I welcome any kind of distraction these days.

He comes to a stop in front of me and gets out with a bottle of bourbon. And then I remember: it’s our monthly poker night.

In about half an hour, six other guys will be here ready to play.

I never forget about poker night. Ever.

But tonight, I’m not sure I’m up for it.

“Hey man,” Carlos says, handing me the bottle. “You look like you could use a drink.”

I take it, uncapping it and taking a swig. The warmth of the bourbon spreads through me, easing some of the tension in my body.

“Thanks,” I say, leaning my head back against the steps. “I don’t know if I’m in the mood for poker tonight, though.”

Carlos sits down next to me. “What’s going on?”

I hesitate, not sure if I want to open up to him about everything that’s been going on. But the bourbon loosens my tongue, and before I know it, I’m spilling everything.

“Billie told me something in Hawaii. Her daughter, Quinn, is adopted, and… she’s my daughter. My biological daughter.”

Carlos stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re shitting me.”

“Nope.” I take another swig and pass the bottle to him so he can do the same. “She started working at GarrisTech so she could get medical information on me.” I snort. “She didn’t want to tell me about Quinn. She figured she would just be a sleuth and uncover the information she wanted.”

“Dude…”

“…and now I have a daughter,” I finish, feeling drained just from talking about it.

“What sort of medical information? Is the girl okay?”

I swallow against a knot in my throat. “Billie said she has asthma, and she wants to find out if there’s anything else lurking.”