Pretty Hurts by Shyla Colt Page B

going to clean up and tell her when she gets here. I’m cooking dinner tonight. It’ll help keep me busy and sane.”
    Ad clamps his hand on my shoulder. “For the record, you’d make an excellent father. However, I know that’s not what you want, so I’m hoping for your sake this isn’t your baby.”
    “Thank you for understanding and not judging me, brother. I know to some people my response would seem cold.”
    “No, I always understood why you opted out of parenthood. You spent your early twenties to late thirties doing that for your siblings. I saw the struggle you and your mom went through. I get it. I’m proud to have such an amazing friend in my corner. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
    I nod, unable to talk around the lump. I swallow. “I appreciate it. Go home to your girls, man. I’m solid now.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yeah. Efia will be here in a few more hours, so I won’t be alone either.”
    “All right. Anything you need, just call.”
    Rising from the table, I walk him out. I close the door, wondering if my life is truly about to take a drastic change.
    I call my lawyer, explain the situation, and set up a meeting.
     
    ***
    The rain is coming down in sheets when Efia knocks on the door. I open it up, and she walks in with her robot umbrella and matching rain boots.
    “When it rains here it lets loose.”
    “We need it,” I say as I help her climb out of her boots and place her umbrella in the brass stand by the door.
    “It’s true.” She tilts her head back for a kiss. I pour all my passion into the lip lock, wondering if this will be the last chance I get to taste her before she hauls ass out of my life. I tilt my head and sip from her like she’s a fine wine. We separate for air, and she places her hand on my chest.
    “Wow.”
    “I missed you.”
    “Is everything okay?”
    I sigh. “No, it’s not.” I take her hand and lead her into the kitchen.
    “Did I do something?”
    “No, darling. It’s nothing you did. My past it coming back to haunt me.”
    “Give it to me straight, don’t draw it out.”
    I hand her the letter.
    She opens it, scans the page, and gasps. “Wait. What is this?”
    “Marilyn is claiming I fathered a child with her.”
    “What? Is this … I mean, could it be true?”
    “Technically, yes. But I don’t think so.”
    “But you don’t know. So it could be.”
    I nod. The pain visible on her face slices at me like a knife. “What are you going to do?”
    “I talked to my lawyer as soon as I got this. He’s going to file a denial and counter with a request for DNA testing.”
    “Jesus.”
    “I know. I’m sorry, I never thought in a million years anything like this would happen. I wanted to let you know now, so you weren’t blindsided.” I take her trembling hands between mine. “I know neither of us wanted children, but if … if she’s mine, could we still make this work?”
    She looks at me with a blank expression that makes my gut ache. She can’t.
    “I’m sorry. I-I’m just trying to process all of this right now.” She shakes her head as if to clear it. “I’ll always be here for you as a friend. But if you’re asking me if I could play step-mom, I don’t know. I can’t answer that yet without thinking this all through.”
    My heart sinks into my shoes. I drop her hand and stand from the chair, toppling it onto the floor. I’m going to lose her, just like I lost Marilyn. I can’t handle that a second time. Not when this woman across from is my ideal mate.
    “Edgar?”
    “I can’t lose you, too, Efia.”
    “And you’re not. I’m asking for some time. This is so much to take in, and I know it has to be worse for you, but …” She trails off with a shrug. “All I’m asking for is time before I give you a final answer.”
    “Why prolong it?” I ask, unable to take another blow. I spin on my heel and stalk toward the door, feeling numb. In a few hours, my life has been split wide open. Grabbing my keys off the