Page 93 of Wasted

“If this man truly loves you, then he’ll want to take care of you and the baby.”

“He does.” Sydney’s gaze lifted. “I know he loves me.”

“All right. Then let’s tell him what happened to you. Let’s tell him you need his help, now that your mother won’t let you live in her home anymore.”

The girl’s eyebrows drew together. “I already texted him. He didn’t answer.”

Victoria held back the urge to tell Sydney that proved the man didn’t love her. But that wouldn’t help. “You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you need to. You and the baby. But I want the best for you and your daughter, and it’s usually best for every child to have a father. For you to have a husband, and a man who will love you and care for you and your little girl.”

“I thought he didn’t like strangers.” Cillian’s voice made Victoria jump inwardly. He approached her from behind, stopping to stand next to her as his gaze aimed at Sydney cuddling with Max.

Had Cillian been listening to her conversation with Sydney? Victoria tabled the question to answer him in a casual tone she hoped would keep Sydney comfortable and willing to talk. “He doesn’t typically.” Victoria tipped up her head to see Cillian. “Spring is the only person who didn’t need to win his favor, even though she didn’t meet him as a puppy like Hank. Max felt comfortable with her almost immediately. Perhaps he likes petite females.”

“The game is rigged.” Cillian’s tone was heavy with faux pouting.

Victoria lifted her eyebrows in challenge. “If it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it.”

His mouth slid into a grin as that spark of heat lit his eyes. “Got that right.”

Her throat dried rapidly. They apparently weren’t discussing Max any longer. “Shouldn’t you be helping Warren bring in the boxes?”

“We’re done.” Cillian shifted his body to look behind them. “Right, pal?”

Victoria hadn’t seen Warren standing in the doorway of the living room, hands stuffed in the pockets of his low-slung jeans.

He gave a single nod.

“Sydney,” Cillian lowered his large frame to sit on the coffee table, facing the teen, “I can tell you as a man that Victoria is one hundred percent right. If the guy who fathered your child really loves you, he’s going to want to take care of you and your baby.”

Sydney’s eyes widened slightly as she watched him, but she didn’t look alarmed.

Poor Max sat up and stared at Cillian. His proximity, though not very close, was apparently enough to make the dog nervous.

“I’m also a social worker, and I can tell you love your baby. Am I right about that?”

Sydney nodded. “Yes. I really love her.”

“I knew it. I can always tell.” He kept his mouth in a serious line as he watched the girl. “And that’s why, as a professional with years of experience working with kids in the system, I’m going to be completely honest with you. Is that okay?”

She nodded again, though uncertainty tightened her mouth. “Yeah.”

He rested his large hands on his denim-clad thighs. “You’re a mom now. And you need to know the best situation for your daughter is to have her father be in her life. Kids with a mom and dad in the home do so much better and are way less likely to need my help as a social worker. Does that make sense?”

“I guess so.”

“That’s why Victoria,” he extended his hand out from his side, gesturing toward Victoria, “wants to know who the father of your baby is. It’s not to ruin anything, and we won’t go blabbing it all over. But we want to know so we can make sure he’s aware he has a little girl, and we can make sure he knows about your situation.” Cillian glanced at Victoria, his expression seeming to indicate she should join in.

“Cillian’s right, Sydney. We only want to help, and I believe this is the best way we can right now. If he’s as good a man as you say he is, and he loves you, then he will jump at the chance to support you and your daughter.”

Sydney bit her lower lip.

“Do you trust me, Sydney?” Victoria locked her gaze on the girl’s.

She nodded.

“Then please tell us his name.”

Her lids lowered again, hiding her eyes. “I…can’t.”