“What do you want then?”
She sighed loudly into the phone. “You’re going to have to learn to speak civilly to me. I don’t want our daughter exposed to the way you bark at me.”
“Our daughter? You’re getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you? The test doesn’t come back until Wednesday morning.”
“It’s just a formality for me. I know in my heart she’s yours.”
“How fucking nice for you. Perhaps you could have shared that little bit of information a little earlier. I don’t know…say…four years ago?”
“Stop yelling at me.”
“Stop calling me.”
Another sigh of frustration. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this woman had balls. Giant ones, bigger than her head.
“Listen. I’m boarding a plane. I need to hang up.”
“Where are you going?”
“That’s none of your damn business. I’m hanging up, Genevieve.”
“Wait. I called for a reason. I want to be there when you get the results on Wednesday morning.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“It’s the opposite of yes. Perhaps you should have tried saying it four years ago when my best friend told you to spread your legs.”
“Graham…”
“No. We’re not a happy family waiting on the stick to show a plus sign. I’m waiting to find out if you’ve robbed me of four years of my daughter’s life. Either way, it won’t be a Hallmark moment, and you won’t be sharing it with me.”
“I’m coming to your office on Wednesday.”
“I’m warning you not to.”
There had been muffled sounds of traffic in the background, and they suddenly quieted. “Genevieve?”
The bitch had hung up on me.
CHAPTER 19
SORAYA
GRAHAM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING the results of the DNA test today. Even though he hadn’t specifically asked me to be there, I wanted to surprise him. He said the results were due in sometime before noon, so I took the entire morning off from work.
In another show of solidarity, it was time get rid of the red. I’d dyed the ends of my hair blue which Graham knew was a sign that things were going well in my life. Whether I truly believed that or not, I knew that gesture would put him at ease about us.
Stopping at Anil’s, I picked up two buttered bagels and two juices on my way to Morgan Financial Holdings.
Making my way through the glass doors, I no longer even bothered to check in with the receptionist. Instead, I just zipped past her and sashayed my way down to my boyfriend’s office like I owned the place.
I could hear her scurrying behind me. “Ms. Venedetta?”
I flipped around. “It’s fine. I thought Graham and I explained that we’re involved. You don’t need to announce me anymore.”
“That’s not why I stopped you,” the receptionist said.
“Okay. What is it then?”
“Well…we…some of the employees here just wanted to thank you.”
“Thank me?” I scrunched my forehead. “Why?”
“Ever since he started seeing you, he’s been different. Nicer. Easier to deal with. I don’t know if you have a magical vagina or what…but whatever it is you do, keep on doing it. You’ve made all of our lives a whole lot easier.”
Some of the people sitting in nearby cubicles overheard her. One started clapping, and a few others followed. Standing there with my greasy paper bag, I was being applauded by these people.
Was I supposed to bow?
Graham must have overheard the commotion because his office door opened.
“What the hell is—” The frown on his face softened when he saw me. “Soraya.” He smiled. “Did I miss something here? Why are they clapping?”
I looked back at the employees and winked. “I was just telling them a joke.”
“I see. Well, why don’t you move your one-woman show into my office then?”
The door shut behind us, and Graham backed me up against it, planting a firm kiss on my lips then said, “Everyone’s crazy about you…just like me. This was a damn nice surprise.”
“I didn’t want you to go through this alone.”
He placed his forehead on mine. “You know…I really wanted you here. But at the same time, I wasn’t sure if it would make you uncomfortable. I didn’t want to pressure you, but I’m so glad you came.”
“Well, I have a feeling I’m going to need to practice dealing with discomfort.”
He cupped my cheeks. “Let’s just take one day at a time. Can you do that for me?”
Nodding against his hands, I said, “I’ll try.”
We sat together eating our bagels for the next half-hour. Graham had his feet up on his desk and looked more relaxed than I anticipated. Through his office windows, the sun was shining, reflecting into his eyes that were glowing as he watched me eat. He seemed to be doing very well considering.
“You seem okay. You’re not scared to get the call?”
“You know what? I was honestly feeling sick to my stomach until you got here. Knowing that you’re here for me no matter what truly makes all the difference.”
“I’m glad I could make it better.”