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Finally she spoke again, though. “Jaz? You should put in the paperwork to adopt Gretchen.”

My heart pounded. “Really?”

“Yeah. Even if anything happened with us, I see now that she’s part of your life—and vice versa. I think it’s time to make it official.”

As pressed up against her as I was, I somehow managed to hug her even harder. “Thank you.”

“It’s not a big deal, anyway. It’ll all be the same once we’re married.”

I sat bolt upright. “What? You want to marry me?”

She looked abashed. “I want to make this official eventually. I know you’re the one for me. And I made a stupid mistake this week, so I want you to be absolutely sure I’ll never do something like that again.” Now she paused as if she was nervous. Dr. Faye Erwin, nervous because of me! “You do want to, don’t you?”

“Marry you?” I faked disdain. “Some dumb, ugly chick I have nothing in common with, who definitely doesn’t care about me at all, and who totally sucks in bed to boot?”

r /> She suppressed a smile. “I know it’s a crummy deal, but it’s all I have to offer.”

A grin spread across my face. “Then I suppose I’ve got no choice.”

26

Faye

“It’s going to be okay,” Jaz said, straightening my collar.

With a sigh, I pushed her hands away. “It’s as straight as it’s going to be. And whether it is or isn’t going to be okay, well, it’s too late to change anything.”

I grabbed the doorknob. The moment we’d been waiting for and stressing over was finally here.

It was time to meet Derek.

When we got into Tisha’s office, Derek was already seated at the head of the table. To my surprise, he wasn’t alone. My sister was to one side, gazing at him longingly despite the empty seat between them.

She looked up at the sound of us coming in. “Gretchen’s not here?”

“No. We got her a sitter.”

“Oh… I was hoping to see her.” Her eyes flitted from me to Jaz. “Who exactly is we?”

“This is Jaz, my… fiancée.”

Her eyes widened. “So I’m not the only Erwin who keeps secrets.”

“I told you about her already. She’s the one who babysat Gretchen all year.”

That seemed to satisfy Amanda a little. “Nice to meet you,” Jaz said. Amanda mumbled the same.

Whose side was she on today? Was she here to support Derek, or to try to keep Gretchen for herself? I watched her closely, but I didn’t see any clues in her face.

“Can we get this show on the road?” Derek asked. “I didn’t come here for pleasantries. I’m here to get custody of my daughter.”

Tisha poured water into glasses, handing one to each of us. “Let’s try not to be so argumentative, Derek. We met today to try to come to an agreement that will work for everybody. It’s going to take some cooperation.”

“See, there’s where you’re wrong.” He stared her down. “I’m the only person in this room who’s fit to be a parent. I’m the only one who can give my daughter the life she deserves, and I want her given to me.”

Where before Tisha had been unflappable, she actually seemed intimidated. “You’re not interested in coming to an agreement?”

“No. I’m here because my lawyers cost a thousand bucks an hour and I didn’t want to waste their time.” He glared at her, leaving unsaid that her hourly rate was much lower. “If this goes to court, none of you will have a prayer.”