Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
That was fucked up. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not angry about it. If they didn’t want to be in Lizzie’s life, that’s their decision. I wouldn’t want them to be around if they weren’t going to love her and treasure her the way she deserved. It made my life a lot easier, honestly.”
I should have known that would be her attitude because she was so independent. “That still must have been hard…at that age.”
“It was definitely hard. I lost a lot of friends because they moved on to great things and had fun, and I was at home with a baby. But in the end, she was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, so it was fine.”
I nodded, even though I couldn’t imagine having a twelve-year-old daughter, let alone having a child before I was twenty. When I looked back at that time of my life, I viewed myself as a stupid young man who didn’t know anything about life.
“That’s also a reason I rarely mention Lizzie, because when people know that she’s twelve, they immediately judge me. It’s not something I put on my resume or make publicly known. I’m not embarrassed of her at all, but it gets exhausting when you’re constantly judged for something you did twelve years ago. Everyone has mistakes they’re ashamed of, but they keep them private because they’re not a human person at their side.”
“Yeah…I get it.” I continued to eat. “I feel bad having you work long hours when you have a daughter at home.”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.” She smiled. “Women are fully capable of working long hours and in ambitious positions while being a parent. You would never make the same assumption if I were a man.”
I knew she was right.
“So, don’t expect less of me when I’m perfectly able to meet your needs.”
“Got it.”
“My mom is like her second mom, so she’s not alone or anything. She wishes she were alone…” She chuckled before she took another bite.
As much as I wanted this woman, it was hard to imagine having a twelve-year-old girl around. It was a commitment, a responsibility, and I barely got along with anyone, let alone a teenager. When I’d found out about her daughter, I assumed it would change the way I felt about Emerson…but it didn’t. I still wanted her. I just didn’t want to be a stepfather. “She looks just like you.”
“I know.” She grinned wide. “When boys start coming around, it’s going to be rough.”
It would definitely be rough.
She finished her burrito then wiped her mouth and her fingertips. The light from the window behind her gave her hair a glow, a shine that reminded me of summer. She uncrossed her legs then grabbed her laptop. “So, now can I discuss this interview for the TED Talk?”
Great, we were back on that.
She smiled when she listened to me sigh. “At least consider it.”
“Alright…I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you.” She made a note on her notepad. “Your work changes the world, but I think you could change the world in a whole new way if you do this.”
I knocked on the door then slid my hands into my pockets.
Heavy footsteps sounded before the door opened. His dark eyes greeted me with a smile as he looked into my face, wearing the same expression Emerson wore when she talked about Lizzie. “What a nice surprise.” He pulled me in for a one-armed hug before he guided me inside. “What brings you here, little man?”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.”
“Yeah?” He headed to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? Just opened a bottle of wine.”
“Sure.”
He grabbed two glasses and delivered one to me.
I took a drink and looked around. “Where’s Mom?”
“Working late. She’s got a party tonight.”
“Then you must be bored.”
He nudged me in the side before he moved to the couch. “Not anymore.” He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. “Want to watch the game? I was going to cook dinner, but we can order a pizza since I know you hate my cooking.”
I sat beside him and set the glass on the coffee table. “I don’t hate it.”
“You obviously don’t remember your childhood that well.”
“Well, I hated it then… Don’t hate it so much now.”
“You want me to make grilled cauliflower with rice, then?” he threatened, knowing I wouldn’t like a vegan dish at all.
“Let’s do the pizza.”
He chuckled and pulled out his phone to order it. “That’s what I thought.”
“How does Mom do it?” When I was young, we would sneak off and get ice cream or other snacks. It was our little secret, and I wouldn’t throw her under the bus now.
He grinned. “I make it up to her in other ways.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, come on…”
He chuckled and put his phone away before he watched the game. “You want to get a bet going?” He drank his wine and looked at me.