A Chance Encounter

“Uh-oh.” The little girl’s mouth forms an adorable O. “Mommy said all my names. I think I’m in trouble.” She slams the door closed in my face, and I stand here in utter fucking shock. She just said Mommy…and I’m pretty sure she’s the spitting image of Sophia.

I’m still wrapping my head around what the hell just happened, when the door opens back up, this time by Sophia, who’s looking sexy as hell in a pair of pink sweats and a tiny white tank top, exposing her midriff. Her stomach still isn’t round, but there’s a clear bump, and she’s not wearing a bra, so her nipples are poking through the thin material.

She clears her throat, and my head pops up. Damn woman is a walking, breathing fucking distraction. “What are you doing here? And how do you even know where I live?” Her questions come across sounding more nervous than accusing, and I have a feeling the three-foot mini-version of her, who I didn’t know about, is why.

“I saw your address on the paperwork at the doctor’s office, so I memorized it. And I’m here because you said you weren’t feeling well.” I hold up the brown bag. “So I brought you soup.”

Her shoulders slump, and her face falls, and I know she was lying. She feels fine, but she’s been hiding something kind of big. “Thank you,” she mutters, taking the bag and gesturing for me to come in.

“Is there a reason why you didn’t mention you have a daughter?” I ask, once we’re inside. I keep my voice low, so her daughter doesn’t hear.

“How do you know she’s my daughter?”

“One, she referred to you as Mommy, and two, aside from the blue eyes, she’s practically your mini-me.”

A smile spreads across her lips. “Yeah, I guess she is.”

“Mommy, can I come out now?” the little girl calls out.

“Yes, you may.”

Pitter-patter of feet are heard and then she appears. “I’m sorry for opening the door,” she says to her mom, eyeing me curiously.

“It’s okay,” Sophia says. “Kendall, this is Easton.” She kneels in front of her daughter, so they’re eye-level. “Remember last night how I told you I’m having a baby?”

Kendall nods emphatically. “I’m going to be a big sister!”

I smile at her excitement.

“That’s right. Well, Easton is the baby’s daddy.”

Kendall is quiet for a brief moment and then her eyes meet mine, still full of curiosity, but also something else. “Are you my daddy too?” It’s then I recognize what her eyes are filled with: hope. And just like that, the wind is knocked from my lungs and it’s hard to breathe. I open my mouth to answer, but thankfully Sophia beats me to it.

“No, Sunshine,” Sophia says with a hint of shakiness in her tone. “You know how your friend Karina has two mommies or how Sandra only has a daddy?”

Kendall nods, but the earlier excitement and curiosity are gone, and now she merely looks resigned, and fuck if my heart doesn’t feel like it’s just been punctured with a steak knife and is bleeding out.

“Families come in all shapes and sizes,” Sophia says. “But you have me and Aunt Naomi and Uncle Dante.” I expect her to continue, because most people have some type of extended family, but she stops, and my earlier thoughts are confirmed. It’s just them.

“And I may not be your dad,” I add, “but I’d like to be your friend.”

Kendall gnaws on her bottom lip, just like her mom does, as she contemplates my offer. And I find myself holding my breath, waiting to see if she’ll accept or not. And not just because I can already tell Sophia’s world revolves around this little girl and if she doesn’t like me, I don’t stand a chance with her, but also because when she asked me if I was her dad, I wanted to be able to say yes. Because with one look, just like her mom, she’s got me wanting to give her the world.

“Do you like music?” she asks softly.

“Yeah, I love music.”

“What’s your favorite song?”

“‘My Only One.’” It’s Jordan’s new single that’s topping the charts as we speak.

Her face scrunches up. “That’s Mommy’s favorite song.” She shrugs. “My favorite is ‘Lost.’”

Hell yeah, I knew I liked this kid. “That’s a really good song,” I agree.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sophia roll her eyes, telling me she knows it’s mine.

“I know!” Kendall exclaims, her face becoming animated. “Mommy hates it, though.”

I bark out a laugh as Sophia splutters, “I don’t…hate it.”

“Yes, you do,” Kendall tattles, planting her little fists at her sides. “You always turn it off.”

“Because you play it over and over again,” Sophia argues. “I’m just trying to give other songs a chance.”

Kendall rolls her eyes—just like her damn mom—and I laugh harder. These two are adorable together.