CHRISTMAS DEAL WITH THE ALPHA

E P

rest as I wait for her to pick up. It's late, but I need to hear her

I am drawn to

ky and... wrong. My gut twists with concern as I sit up strai

ly above a whisper. He voice soun

been cry'_

ow and urgent. "What's wr

her taking a deep breath before respond

hing's off. "Cleo, don't lie to me. I can

the first. I can almost feel her hesitatio

ice softening. "Talk t

ired. I just need a good

f what she just said, bu

your day?" I que

replies with a yawn,

I answer

ad for dinner. Tell me exactly w

st hear her thinking. "I had

my mind

of pasta? Was it with m

can almost hear

was just plain

t sati

ad with it? Any salad? or

s again. "No

cern. She's not eatin

nk any milk or j

t had water." She an

ngry

e of herself, and it

ot pl

? Did you have any sna

nd. "Jace, I'm poor. I don't

d I feel a surge of pro

at more, Cleo. You need to take care of yourself

and I can almost h

poor. I can't afford

my mind racing with thoug

bank account?" I de

ost hear her embarrassment.

e not have a bank account? How is she sup

ayPal account?" I ask

cing with

es again. "

ccount details"

or?" She

you are tol

fore reluctan

to my PayPal account, and send her $2

PayPal account," I

her shock. "Jonathan, what... wh

y to provide it. "You need it, Cleo. You need it to take care of

t firm. "Jace, please. Take it b

oney. You need to eat healthy, and take care of you

hear her shame. "Thank you, Jace," she say

ould help," I say,

I hear her whisper something. "No

g up. "What was that?"

s. "Nothing, Jace. I

'm not going to push her to talk about

"I was thinking... how about we meet tomor

ughs s

ly for that. I'm no

e need to get ready for this baby.

r her giving in. "Okay, fine. B

. "Deal!" I exclaim. "I'll pick you u

just meet in front of the h

ay simply. I don't care where we meet

d night"

t" I reply,

even thought of some baby names. Carlson for a boy, and Caroline for a girl. I can already im

********

just ended with Cleopatra. I'm excited to meet her and discuss the details of

I'm excited to see her. I've been thinking about her nonstop since we broke up, that is ex

filled with emotion. "I

ce, I'm so sorry," she says, her voice trembling. "

you a long time ago," I say, taking her hands in mine. "I just want you

all over her face. "Jace, I... I do

t in weeks. "Just say nothing " I say, my voice fi

ething?" I inquire, after

" she replies, looking up

o have a child wit

wide eyes, and already k

now if she has g

"Jace, I... I don't know. I really wan

. "I appreciate your honesty, Diana. It

nd someone who is willing

She ask intrigued w

woman and I want to adopt

written all over her face

a triumphant smile stil

, my voice drippin

s eyes

a? " she demands

he asks, her voice

e relevance. "I don't

nger. "You're going to adopt a baby with som

I say, my voice confident. "And besides, I'm not just adopting a baby,

resentment. "You're really going to do this, aren't you?" she spits.

m not leaving you for anyone," I say, my voice confident.

nger. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" sh

," I say, my voice confident. "But let's be real, Diana. I o

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