Seeing the house his dad had already begun to build had been the last straw. He’d been tired of his father trying to control everything he did. Never mind that he wasn’t sure he wanted to live right next door to his parents, in the house Chase and Kimmy ended up inheriting instead. Never mind that he was trying to get his own two feet on the ground. Never mind that Danica seemed to confide more in his mom than she did in him. It wasn’t the kind of relationship he’d ever wanted.
Standing here on Danica’s sidewalk, he was reminded of exactly all the reasons why he’d left.
Even so, the feelings he’d had then weren’t making their usual appearance. He expected the typical impatience to get outta Dodge, to leave this all behind and make for Chicago as soon as he could. To solitude and busyness and distraction.
Gabby was his hesitation now. Adrian meant what he’d told his mom, when he’d confessed his feelings about Gabby. The problem was, he wasn’t quite sure what to do about those feelings, not until he got his father’s lockbox.
He also hoped things were going well with her aunt, who may or may not be her birth mother. He hoped she would understand why he hadn’t told her the truth himself.
Resting his sunglasses on his head, he gritted his teeth and made for the door.
Danica jerked it open after the first knock. She looked casual in jeans and a knotted gray T-shirt. “You came,” she said brightly. “I’ve been waiting all day after your mom told me you wouldn’t be there—”
“It’s no use,” he said, resting a hand on the door jamb. He couldn’t believe how badly he was trembling. Out of anger, frustration, flat out disbelief, he couldn’t be sure. “I loved you once, but I don’t anymore, Dani. I’ve moved on. I need you to accept that.”
Her lips flattened into a thin line. She folded her arms and cocked her hip. “And if I don’t want to?”
“You can’t force a hard chair to feel like a soft one. Please. I think you have something that belongs to me.”
Her mouth gaped. “Your mom told you?”
“She did. Which means I think you know it’s over for good this time.”
He knew how harsh he sounded, and part of him regretted the words. But he’d tried to help her get the hint in much nicer ways than this so many times before now, and she wasn’t getting it. If there was anything he’d learned in business, it was that bluntness was sometimes necessary. It would be better for Dani in the long run too, not to think fondly of him.
Danica pouted her lip, inhaled, and nodded in defeat. “I’ll be right back.”
He noticed she didn’t invite him in, and that was just fine. He waited at her eave, tossing his key fob from one hand to the other impatiently.
Minutes later, Dani returned with a gray lockbox under her arm and passed it over. Adrian’s blood split, scattering in all directions inside of him. He couldn’t believe the shock, the relief washing over him now that he finally had the thing in his grip. All the questions he’d had since the trust had been read spiraled through his mind. Of his father’s vast fortune, of all the other things he could have bestowed to his firstborn son, he’d given him a container no bigger than a shoebox.
“You never should have kept this from me.”
She lowered her head, clasping her hands in front of her in humility. “I know. Your mom thought it would be the catalyst to get us talking again. I agreed, Adrian. But I shouldn’t have.”
At least she was being humble now. “Thanks for being honest with me,” he said, reaching a comforting hand to her shoulder. The touch seemed to have the desired effect. She lifted her soothed, sorrowful gaze to him.
“Do you want to come inside?” The question sounded feeble.
He took a cleansing breath. “I think you know the answer to that.”
She dipped her chin, nodding. “I guess you can’t blame me for trying.”
“You’ll find someone else, Dani. You deserve someone else.”
She shrugged in an embarrassed kind of way. “Who knows? It’s nice of you to say, considering everything.”
It meant a lot to have her acknowledge the state of things instead of trying to ignore them and force old feelings to be what they used to. While he was ready to turn around and leave, he didn’t want it to be as brusque as that. Still, sometimes brusque was best.
“Thanks, Dani. I’m glad you gave this to me.”
The phone in his pocket buzzed, as did his eagerness to get back to his car. He tipped a finger to his forehead. “Goodbye.”
“Good luck with her. With Goldie.”
Goldie. Gabby. Lockbox tucked under his arm, Adrian nodded and turned away, making it toward his awaiting rental. Now more than ever he was anxious to get back to her. To see her again. A quick glance at his phone displayed a text from her.
She told me the truth. I’m assuming you knew since I think you tried to tell me before I left. Thanks for everything. It was great meeting you, but I think it’s time I go home.
Adrian stared at the words, reading them over and over.
I’m assuming you knew.
That meant she’d spoken with her aunt. That meant Rita’s discovery—his suspicion—was true. Bethany Harold had, in fact, given birth to Gabby. He could only imagine how she must be feeling right now.
He wasn’t going to communicate with texting, not over something like this. Chances were, Gabby was emotional, and for good reason. No, this was definitely not the time for a text. He pushed her name on the phone to call.
Several rings made him suspect she wasn’t going to answer, until she picked up.
“Hi, Adrian.”
