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I exhale deeply, frustrated with how stubborn she seems to be

“I’m sorry, Winter I really ah If you’ll take it, I’d like to give you a check to help es”

Her eyes flash bright with anger “You can’t buy your way out of the guilt, Harry You should have been there, and you weren’t”

“I’hter, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for her”

“Raising her,” Winter says, barely getting the words out as tears well in her eyes “I’ve been raising her, and now you’re taking her away fro better”

It’s not her words, but her anguished expression, that gutsup for her best friend, who I don’t think told her the whole truth about ent down To her, I’rew to love

“Listen,” I say softly “I’ht Stay again tonight if you want”

She looks away, thinking it over, but in the end, she simply nods

“I think I’m in over my head,” I say “I may need to hire a nanny for Avery”

Winter turns to me, her expression bitter “You took her from me so you can hire some stuffy bitch to take care of her and call yourself Superdad?”

Jesus This woman is the , fearless, and she’s pissed off by my very existence

“I just found out last week that I have a kid,” I say, forcing myself to stay calm “Can you cut me just a little slack?”

She narrows her eyes “Avery should be raised by so paid to take care of her”

I arch my brows and I’ainst mine It’s warm and soft, and whether sheme her form of affection I brush a kiss across her tiny forehead, no longer focused on being upset

“Are you saying you’re that person?” I ask Winter “Even though you’re homeless?”

“I’m not homeless yet”

“How long do you have to move out?”

Her shoulders sink with defeat “Two days”

I give her a knowing look “So I’uy with the money to take care of Avery And I’m her father”

“Listen, Harry You will never win me over to your side Never I’d rather…roll around naked on top of broken glass than be friends with you”

Skeptically, I ask, “Really?”

“Really”

I can think of much better places for her to roll around naked, but I don’t say anything If Winter knows I find her attractive, she’s just dra

“Have you eaten?” I ask her