Peony covers her ears with her hands and presses her face into Athena’s shoulder.
Athena murmurs something on her temple, then her gaze swings to me. “Maybe we could go someplace quiet. Without so many people.”
Good idea. Preferably where no one recognizes me. I want to give Peony a chance to get to know me before it gets out she’s my daughter, especially should the paternity test prove otherwise.
“We can go to the staff room,” Zara suggests. “No one is scheduled to take their break just yet.”
We follow her down the corridor. I sneak a glance at Peony; she’s not paying attention to me. Her face is still pressed against Athena’s shoulder. Zara opens the door to let us into the room. I take the armchair. Athenasits on the super-comfy couch. Peony scrambles onto her lap, clutching Poppy tightly to her body.
Zara grabs menus from the white-washed cabinet and hands them to us. “This is our regular menu,” she explains to Athena. “The kids’ menu is listed at the bottom. We also have international dishes I rotate daily. Today’s specials are jambalaya and Thai green curry with tofu.”
Athena reads the menu and points at something for Peony to see. “Look, they have macaroni and cheese. Would you like that?”
“It’s really yummy,” I tell Peony. Zara makes a mean baked macaroni and cheese, although I’m not sure if the one I love is the same as the one listed on the kids’ menu. But I am certain the one listed is still better than the macaroni and cheese I made Peony yesterday with the jarred Alfredo sauce. Mine isn’t even in the same stratosphere as Zara’s. Anything I cook isn’t in the same stratosphere as hers.
Peony glances briefly at me, as if not sure if she should trust my recommendation. Or me.
“That sounds good, doesn’t it?” Athena prompts with a nod. “Would you like macaroni and cheese and apple juice?”
Peony looks up at her with a big grin, and my heart squeezes at how I haven’t earned that smile of hers yet. “Yes!”
Get over yourself, man. Give her time.
Athena and I place our orders, and Zara leaves to get the food and drinks. Part of me wants to go with her since I’m at a loss for what else to do to gain Peony’s trust. Maybe someone could write a book on the topic.How to Gain Your Child’s Trust After Not Knowing They Existed Their Entire Young Life.
This isn’t how I had envisioned things while dating Kenda, during those infrequent times when I’d thought about us one day being married and having a family. I had envisioned the 2.3 kids. Had envisioned attending their hockey games like my parents had done for my brothers and me. Had envisioned helping them with their homework and cuddling with my wife in front of the fireplace. The latter would always lead to hot sex.
I rest my forearms on my thighs. “Is there anything you would like to do after lunch?” Not that I have time to take them anywhere, what withmy ticking deadline.Shit. How the hell am I supposed to balance all this? A book on that topic would be helpful too.
“I was going to take Peony to a playground.” Athena glances around the room. “This seems like a nice place.”
“It is. Zara’s done an incredible job with the café.” Pride shines in my tone, hugs each syllable. “Assuming the paternity test proves she is my daughter, I’ll need your banking info so I can direct deposit your salary. And I’ll need your Social Security Number.” As much as I don’t want to discuss the business side of this arrangement, I can’t ignore it.
“I, er, don’t have a bank account.”
“You don’t?”
“I was always paid in cash.”
“What? You don’t trust banks?” I know a few people who are paranoid about the banking institution, but they still have bank accounts.
She shrugs.
“You can set one up in Maple Ridge. It’s easy enough to do.”
She strokes her pendant like it’s a lucky charm. “Hot sauce in a hen house, I can’t do that. I lost my ID, and the bank will need to see it to set up an account. But not to worry—I’ll apply for a replacement. Same with my Social Security Number.” Her hand drops to her lap. “In the meantime, just pay me in cash.”
“Okay, I can do that for now. And I’ll get my lawyer to draft an employment contract. Once I have the paternity test results.”
She nods and pets Poppy on the head.
Clearly bored with the conversation, Peony squirms and twists onto her stomach. She slides off Athena’s lap and onto the couch cushion next to her and glances around.
“I’ll need extra help with Peony while I’m working on my book. But I’ll pay you overtime.”
“Did you hear that, Peony?” A rush of excitement practically does cartwheels in Athena’s tone. “I’ll get to spend more time playing with you and reading your favorite story.”
Peony grins at her, then wiggles backward on her stomach until her feet are dangling above the floor. Athena helps her down.