the booth as if I’ve slapped her. The flush that was just coloring her cheeks has drained, and in its place is a pained expression. I don’t know why I’m being such a dick about this, but I need to hear it. I need to hear her say that there has been no one else near my daughter.
“Theo was our neighbor back in Pasadena. That’s all he ever was. I didn’t have time to date. So, the answer to your question”—she pauses, inhaling a shaky breath—“is no. There have been no other men around our daughter.” The frustration drips from her tone like sour nectar. She shoves away from the booth, heading toward Luna and Sal.
That’s twice in one day I’ve gotten a rise out of her.
I didn’t think she had it in her, but she’s a lot feistier than I thought.
I find I like that—much more than I should.
After knocking on the front door, it doesn’t take long for my mom to answer, a frown marring her features when she sees me. It’s not out of the ordinary for me to come over and visit, but it is when I don’t call ahead of time and tell my parents I’m on the way over.
“Endy, I didn’t know you were coming over. I would’ve made dinner.”
“I think I’ll pass on the whole vegan diet, or whatever it is you guys are doing now.”
My mom rolls her eyes, swatting my arm as she lets me pass over the threshold. My dad is in the living room, laid out on the recliner, watching sports highlights, as usual. When he sees me, he grins.
“Son! Didn’t know you were stopping by.”
Guilt slams into me. I rake a hand through my hair and pause in the center of the living room, feeling my mother’s presence behind me.
“This isn’t exactly a social visit. There’s something I need to tell you guys.”
They both sit, and my mother reaches for my dad’s hand, obviously sensing this is serious. “What’s going on, End?”
“I have a daughter.”
My dad’s eyes widen, and my mom’s mouth drops open. The stunned silence stretches until I go on, elaborating for them.
“She’s six. And her name is Luna.”
My mom’s hand flies to her chest, her brows drawing together in a frown. “Six? What do you mean, she’s six?” Her tone is rising, and I’m sure she probably thinks this is all my doing.
I heave a sigh. “I didn’t know she even existed until a few days ago.”
“Well, who is the mother? Please, for the love of God, do not say it’s Holly—”
“Selene Drake.”
Both my parents jerk back, stunned by this news. “As in Gavin and Cece Drake’s daughter? How did…?”
Shame has me looking away. This is the hardest part to say, the part I played in all this. “I was drunk when it happened and didn’t remember any of it. She left for college a few days later and didn’t find out until months later that she was pregnant.”
“Wow. Okay.” My dad blows out a breath.
Though my mom, her eyes are misty. “I have another grandbaby?”
My lip quirks. Of course, this would be her response. “You do. She looks just like Valeria when she was that age.”
“Let me see!” She slaps my arm, and I chuckle, pulling my phone out to show her all the photos I’ve snapped of Luna so far. She gasps, taking the phone from me to show my father.
“Oh, Ermias, just look at her. She’s gorgeous. When can we meet her?”
“I was thinking this weekend.”
“And how is Selene taking all of this?”
I shrug. “She hasn’t tried to fight me on anything. I told her I missed six years of my daughter’s life, and I wasn’t going to miss any more. I didn’t care if she wanted a fight or not.”
My mom gives me a watery smile. “That’s my boy. Now, c’mon, let me fix you something to eat really quick.”
I shake my head, even though I know it’s a futile attempt. “I’m not hungry.”
“Humor me, son.”
She proceeds to warm up the food they ate for dinner, and the whole time she sneaks glances at me. “I imagine this is a hard time for Selene.” I grunt. “You have every right to be angry, but I also want to be sure you’re treating that woman with respect. She birthed your child and raised her for years without help.”
“And whose fault was that?”
“Do not let your anger get in the way of the bigger picture. You have a beautiful family. Not many people