Songbird by Sydney Logan Page B

Great.
    “You know, I think you’re the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met.”
    “Yeah, well, you can blame it on the mommy hormones surging through me,” I whisper. “Now leave me alone. I’m going to lunch. My child’s hungry.”
    Devin’s eyes dance with something that vaguely resembles . . . joy ?
    “ Our child,” he says softly. “Let me take you and our child out to lunch.”
    “ My child. And no.”
    Suddenly, Leo’s standing beside me. I’d like to think he’s coming to my rescue, but I know better. He’s just nosy.
    “Hey, Callie. Everything okay here?”
    Devin’s eyes narrow when Leo wraps his arm around my shoulder.
    Is he seriously jealous? Ha!
    I smile at my friend. “Everything’s fine. Would you please take me to lunch?”
    “ I’m taking you to lunch,” Devin says, his gaze fixed on Leo’s arm on my shoulder. I almost giggle at the absurdity of the situation. He obviously has no idea that Leo’s gay, so I use this to my advantage and snuggle into my friend’s embrace.
    Thankfully, Leo gets the hint. “Sure, Callie. Let’s go to lunch.”
    I shoot Devin a glare. If I had any compassion for him at all, I might be concerned for his health. With his fire engine-red face, could he possibly be having a stroke? Should I maybe call 911?
    Yeah, it’s a good thing you don’t have feelings for the man.
    “Good, because I’m starving.”
    “Callie . . .”
    I don’t give him the chance to say anything else. Looping my arm through Leo’s, the two of us walk up the stairs and out into the sunshine.
     

     
    “I can’t believe we’re having a baby! And with Devin McAllister!”
    After my shameful display in the newsroom, Leo managed to get a confession out of me over lunch. I wish I could say his enthusiasm’s infectious, but all it’s doing is making me queasy.
    I nibble on my chicken salad sandwich and watch the birds flutter around the park fountain. “ We’re not having a baby. I am. Me .”
    “With that gorgeous, gorgeous man.”
    “That gorgeous man’s a jerk, Leo.”
    “Granted, he handled this totally wrong, but it seems as if he’s trying to make it right. You should let him.”
    “Why? Why should I?”
    “Because he wants you, Callie. I’m surprised I made it out of there with my arm intact. You know I’m a lover, not a fighter. What would Oliver say if I came home all mangled and broken because I helped make your baby daddy jealous?”
    “Stop calling him that. And he’s not jealous. He just thinks he can bully me into getting what he wants.”
    “Not true. I saw it at Megan’s wedding reception. The man’s into you. Why are you fighting it?”
    I roll my eyes and toss my unfinished sandwich into the nearest trashcan. “I told you what he said to me. Am I supposed to just forgive and forget?”
    “No, but you can at least let him apologize. Don’t you owe that to your kid?”
    “He made it very clear he wants nothing to do with the baby. He even accused you of being the father! Well, one of the fathers.”
    Leo shudders. “No wonder he’s ready to murder me. But none of that matters.”
    “Why not?”
    “Don’t you think he’s being pretty persistent for someone who doesn’t want to be in your life? Besides, you’re not without fault here, Callie Franklin. Two people were irresponsible that weekend. Two ambitious, power-driven people who had an amazing weekend together, which has led to this . You know nothing about each other. If the situation were reversed, wouldn’t you have questioned him?”
    “Of course, because you said he’s one of the biggest manwhores in town.”
    “Allegedly. Allegedly one of the biggest manwhores.”
    “You never said allegedly .”
    Leo rolls his eyes. “Anyway . . . the point is you would have questioned him, too. He knows nothing about you. Why should he assume you’re telling him the truth?”
    “That’s . . . valid, I guess.”
    “He absolutely handled it badly, but it seems he’s