“Okay, sure,” Natasha said, waving a casual hand at me as I stood up and hobbled across the room, my feet still wet.
I walked out into the hallway and toward the bathrooms near the exterior doors. I glanced into the dining room as I passed it, surprised to see that Laura and Emily weren’t there. Strange.
When I neared the door, I heard their voices. Hushed. Whispered. But unmistakably theirs. I stopped in front of the bathroom door, knowing I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but unable to deny my curiosity.
“No.” Laura was speaking. She sounded distressed. “No, Emily. You can’t say anything. Not to anyone.” I’d definitely stumbled onto a private conversation. I should’ve walked away, but I couldn’t. Not yet.
“I just want to know my parents, Laura. My real parents. I don’t need an explanation. I hold no grudges.” It was Emily now. What was she talking about?
“Emily, listen to me, I need to break this news to Brad myself. When you were put up for adoption…” What? She paused, and I put a hand on the bathroom door, hoping if they opened it, I could pretend I’d been going inside. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Can you just give me some time to process everything?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing… Had Brad and Laura really given up a baby for adoption? Then, Laura asked, “You haven’t told anyone, have you?” Why did she sound so panicked?
“No. I wanted to tell you first. You were the easiest to approach. You’ve been so nice to me.”
I heard one of them sob, and I put a hand over my mouth. Was this truly happening? Emily is Laura’s child? “I can’t believe it’s you.”
Emily spoke again. “I’ve dreamed about you my whole life. I want to know so much.”
With that, I pushed open the bathroom door and disappeared inside, my bladder screaming for relief. I couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it had happened, couldn’t believe I’d overheard it. Why had they given her up for adoption? They had such adorable little girls. No wonder Emily had seemed so obsessed with Brad. It was all starting to make sense then. I’d thought she’d had a crush on him, but in reality he was her father. What in the world?
My eyes bugged out as I processed all I’d learned. But why had Laura seemed so upset? Not happy…not merely shocked, but genuinely upset. When I was done using the restroom, I washed my hands and made my way back into the spa. Laura and Emily still hadn’t returned.
I tried to act calmer than I felt, but when Laura returned, she was alone. I bit down my smile, looking away. Please tell us before I burst.
Why was she alone? Where was Emily?
After a moment’s silence, I asked about the drinks, and when I realized something was very wrong, I offered to go get them. In truth, I wanted to find Emily. Of all the girls, she was the one I felt closest to. If anyone could explain what was going on, it was her.
I walked out the door, leaving Laura and Natasha behind, and made my way outside. When I found Emily, she was knelt down in the sand, her face pressed into her hands.
“Come here,” I said, putting my hands around the poor girl. “What’s going on?” I pretended not to have overheard anything.
“It’s nothing,” she said, though she couldn’t even pretend to hope I’d believe her.
“Did something happen?”
She sighed, standing up. “I’m an idiot. I made a mistake.”
“What are you talking about? You aren’t an idiot. Come on, tell me what’s going on.”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t talk about it. I need to…there are others involved who I should tell first. I’m sorry. It’s complicated.”
“Is it about Laura?” I asked, and she pulled her hands from her face to look at me finally. When she didn’t speak right away, I went on. “I overheard you talking.”
“You did?”
“I swear I won’t tell a soul.” I wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her in for a hug.
“I just thought she’d be happy to see me. To meet me. I’m so embarrassed. I never thought it would go like that. I’ve been rehearsing what to say for years, and I never thought I’d find one of my parents, let alone both.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. I’m sure she’s happy to see you, sweetheart. It’s just a lot to process. There are a lot of really intense emotions for you both right now. You have to give her some space, okay?”
“But why? Shouldn’t she be happy? I’m not asking for anything. I just want to talk to her. To know her. To know where I came from.”
“I know,” I said, rubbing her back and whispering in her ear. “Just give her time, okay?”
“Maybe I should just talk to Brad. If I tell him everything, maybe he can get her to agree. Maybe he’ll be excited. From all Andy’s said, he’s such a good dad.”
I rubbed her back. “Brad and Laura are both excellent parents, but you know, this is such a sensitive thing.” I paused, preparing to tell her something I’d sworn to always keep to myself. “One of my closest friends gave their baby up for adoption in college. I’m sure it still weighs on Laura and Brad as much as it does N— Nicole.” I started to say his name but changed my mind. I’d promised Nick I’d never reveal his secret, but Emily needed to hear this.
“Really?”
When she pulled away, I nodded, but something in my chest tightened as I stared at her. I’d never noticed the familiar way her skin crinkled between her brows. Or the fact that her eyes were such a soft cognac shade of brown. Almost identical to eyes I’d spent so much time looking into. No. I was seeing things. Imagining them. It wasn’t possible.
Nick’s baby hadn’t been Laura’s.
They hadn’t had a child together.
But what were the odds?
“How old are you, Emily? When were
