Page 55 of Theirs to Treasure

“Why?” my brother asks.

“Because Forrest will sabotage it.”

Neither Zev nor I argue that fact.

She glances between the two of us. “I’m sorry. Right now, I’m not thinking straight. But I will figure this out and let you know what I’m?—”

“We,” I interject.

If she thinks she’s making decisions about her future and our baby without consulting us, she’s very, very wrong.

“Fine.” She sighs. “I’m not getting married. We can draw up a joint custody arrangement. I agree that kids need both of their parents.”

“No fucking chance, Harper.”

“Look.” Zev brushes back her hair, obviously trying to defuse my growing irritation. “The sooner we can come up with compromises that we can all live with, the better.”

I sincerely doubt they’ll come up with compromises that I’ll agree with.

“Maybe you can work part-time,” Zev suggests. “Or we can hire a nanny.”

“Childcare is also the responsibility of fathers,” she insists.

“Of course.” Zev grins. “I work from home most of the time. And if we’re at our Austin office, I don’t mind taking our baby boy or little girl to work with me.”

Blinking rapidly, she looks at him. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. And there’s no reason we can’t have a nanny at the house or when we travel.”

For once, I think we’ve rendered her speechless.

When she speaks, her words are measured. “I’m not sure how I feel about you taking the baby to Austin.”

“As you pointed out, dads are also responsible for childcare.” Using her words against her is a thrill I savor. “If we have joint custody, it will be a way of life.”

Her nose flares.

“If we were married, perhaps things would be different,” I counter. “You could go with us. Or remain at home with the baby and the nanny.”

“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

If it means keeping her in my life, yes. I’ll use any means, any tactic.

“Anyone told you that you’re a bastard?”

“You’re pushing your luck, Harper.”

“Back off,” Zev warns.

Cooling my heels, I stride to the window.

My Bonds watch vibrates against my wrist. “We need to get going if we’re going to meet the doctor on time.”

When she opens her mouth to protest, Zev presses a finger to her lips.

“Think about it. Do you want to make sure everything’s okay and that you’re doing everything you need to?”

Her shoulders fall in resignation as he goes on. “It will take you forever to find a doctor you can trust if you don’t have health insurance.”