So, he didn’t knowallof Grayson’s business.
“I… didn’t know about him,” he heard himself admit. “Until his mom dropped him off on Thanksgiving night. She said she can’t take care of him anymore.”
“That’s heavy,” Levi said, nodding with sympathy in his eyes.
“It was a surprise, for sure,” Grayson said. “And I’m sad for her. He’s incredible—the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Maybe she’ll be back,” Levi offered.
“She said she wouldn’t,” Grayson said, shaking his head. “And there was nothing between us anyway, just one night I’m not particularly proud of.”
He cast his eyes to the ground, hating what Levi would probably think of him for that.
“Mind if I put on my lawyer hat for a minute?” Levi asked.
“Go for it,” Grayson said, frowning at what was likely to come next.
“Did she sign over full custody to you?” Levi asked.
Grayson blew out a breath, wondering exactly how much he had to tell his friend.
“If I tell you something, can you keep it quiet?” he asked.
“Of course,” Levi said, nodding.
“He’s not actually mine,” Grayson admitted, the words feeling like sandpaper on his throat. “Don’t get me wrong, heismy son now, and I’m his dad, no question there. But biologically, it’s… well, it’s just not possible. I’ve done the math. He can’t be mine, even though she said he was.”
“Oh,” Levi said. “That does make things more complicated.”
Levi’s expression was so sad that Grayson couldn’t even look at him. Panic shot through his veins like ice water and his chest felt like someone was sitting on it. He’d known that he would have to deal with this at some point. He’d just been doing his best not to think about it until now.
“What do I do?” he bit out quietly.
“Come by my office tomorrow morning,” Levi told him. “We’ll see what we can do to stabilize the situation.”
“Thank you,” Grayson told him.
“I have to warn you—this may not be easy,” Levi said. “But it’s best to work things out now, while he’s still little.”
He stopped there, but Grayson couldn’t help filling in the rest in his mind.
If I have to give him up now, at least Leo won’t remember the home he had with me…
His heart felt like it was breaking.
“It probably goes without saying that money is no object,” he grated out.
“That’s good,” Levi said. “But as you know, there are some things money can’t buy. It sounds like his mom wants what’s best for the baby and that’s why she broughthim to you. She knew you would take good care of him. But we need to formalize things, so you can sleep at night.”
“Okay,” Grayson said.
“Do I have your permission to do a little digging on your behalf?” Levi asked.
“Of course,” Grayson said. “Anything you can do, I’d be grateful.”
“Great,” Levi said. “I’ll get started tonight. Who has the baby now, by the way? I thought your parents were down in Florida these days.”
“They are,” Grayson said. “I’ve got a nanny to look after him when I’m volunteering.”
