Only the best for my girls.
I hope I can make it back in time for trick-or-treating, but if I can’t, take a lot of pictures and save me some candy. I like Reese’s Cups.
Ems
You’ll have to fight Hallie for them.
I like my chances.
Are you on your way to the house?
I’m parked outside right now.
How do you feel?
Nervous but okay. I just want to get it done and get back to you and Maddy.
Don’t rush, Jer. Take all the time you need, and we’ll be waiting for you when you get back.
I love you.
I love you too, Ems. So, so much.
I click off my phone and slip it into my pocket, still amazed by the fact that I can tell Emma I love her and she’ll tell me back. It hasn’t been long since we said it for the first time, but those three words have shifted my entire world. They give me the confidence to get out of the car and make my way up to the front door.
I don’t even have a chance to ring the doorbell before it swings open. When I see the man standing on the other side, I suck in a breath, my heart stuttering in my chest.
The same brown eyes ringed with gold. The same brown hair. Same height and build and fucking freckle below his eye. It’s like looking in a goddamn mirror.
“I guess a DNA test isn’t necessary.” I shift from foot to foot, ridiculously uncomfortable and not at all sure what to do with my hands.
“I guess not,” he says wryly and sticks his hand out.
“Brian Simpson.”
I shake his hand, grateful for something to do.
“Jeremy Wright.”
“Come on in.” Brian steps back so I can walk into the foyer. The high ceilings, ornate moldings, chandelier, and art on the walls speak to the kind of wealth you would expect to find in one of the most affluent and well-educated cities in the country.
“Thanks for coming,” Brian says, breaking the silence. “I know it was weird, reaching out to you like that. I wouldn’t have blamed you for ignoring the email.”
I shrug, following him down the hallway to a large living room with leather furniture, vaulted ceilings, and shelves full of framed pictures. It’s a beautiful room, but I can’t help but think it feels cold. I suddenly feel a million miles away from Emma’s warm, comfortable house. I can’t wait to get this done and get back to her.
We take seats on couches that sit opposite each other, and I lean forward, elbows on my knees and my hands clasped to keep from fidgeting.
“I’m sorry it took me some time to get back to you. I’ve never had any family, so your email took me by surprise.”
“You didn’t know your mom?” His question seems innocent, but there’s something in his tone that has me on edge, my body tensing like it’s preparing for a blow.
“I didn’t,” I say slowly. “She died when I was two, and obviously I never knew my father. I grew up in the system.”
“Shit,” Brian mutters. The look on his face isn’t the pity I’m used to when someone finds out about my background. It’s more…apologetic, I think? Like he’s about to tell me something I don’t want to hear and is trying to decide how to do it.
It feels like someone turned the voltage on my nerves to an eleven as I realize I should have asked more questions before I just got in the car and came here. I wish I had taken Emma up on her offer to come with me. She would know what to say. What to ask. All I can think of is one single question. It feels ridiculous not to have asked this before.
“How did you find me?”
