Chapter 25

Nick cocked his head, looking at me with a smile in his eyes. “Irish, huh?”

My cheeks combusted. “I’m—I’m no—ot that doll’s f—father.”

“So, you’re denying your paternity?” Nick seemed very amused. “I think we should have a blood test done.”

Boone twitched and yelped with laughter next to me.

Mrs. Lund fought back a smile. “Enough, Nicolai. Leave the poor boy alone.” She stared down Lene. “And you, young lady, you are not to read another one my lady magazines, understood?”

Of course, I didn’t have another bite after that.

After dinner, Boone and I decided to go downstairs to play a game of Monopoly. We weren’t allowed to go outside, on account of him still being grounded an all. Nick had disappeared again.

Boone and I were alone in the basement, playing and eating left-over Halloween candy.

“So when’s your dad coming back?” Boone was chewing on some Tire Sainte-Catherine.

“Dunno. Aunt Frannie s—says after Christmas maybe.”