James and Cas have strolled in casually behind Caroline. James looks concerned and Cas looks…shrewd. Like he can read me like a book. It’s an uncomfortable feeling.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your brunch.”
“We were just about ready to leave anyway,” James says. “Why aren’t you opening the results? Is it an email?”
I pick up the offensive overnight express letter from hell and wave it. “It’s this. Doesn’t this look like it’s court documents? Like some judge is going to demand I surrender Evelyn to CPS?”
“How do you know it’s DNA results?” Caroline asks.
“Because Andrea called me and told me to expect them this morning.”
“Who is Andrea?” James asks, looking bewildered.
“His assistant,” Caroline says for me. “Poor woman,” she murmurs under her breath.
Well, that’s not sounding good for Team Grayson.
It’s also not inaccurate. Andrea has put up with a lot from me over the years.
“You know I’m a lawyer,” Cas says.
I actually had no idea he was a lawyer. I barely know who I am at this point, I certainly have not taken the time to get to know my neighbors as well as I could have. “Of course,” I lie. “So is this bad news?”
“No, I’m sure it’s just the DNA results, like your assistant said. If it was CPS, there would be a social worker and law enforcement at your doorstep.”
That makes my vision blur and the room momentarily goes black. I lean heavily against the nearest wall. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
Caroline walks over to me. “Hey. Look at me.” Her voice is soft as she puts her hands on my shoulders. “It’s going to be fine. Evelyn is yours. We all know that.”
“But…” I stare down at her, losing myself in her green eyes. The confidence there instantly makes me feel better.
“Let’s open it together,” James says, reaching out to tap my shoulder. “It’s all good, man. You’ll see.”
I nod, but it still takes everything in me to rip open the envelope. I pull a couple of pieces of paper out with a trembling hand. Scanning it, my heart in my throat, I see “biological father” and then my name. Ninety-nine point nine percent certainty.
“Holy shit, it’s me.” Then my throat closes and I can’t speak. I briefly close my eyes as Caroline gives me a loose hug. I wrap my arm around her back and pull her in tighter, breathing in her scent, appreciating her softness.
“That’s awesome!” James says.
“May I see?” Cas asks, holding out his hand.
I pass over the documents and he quickly reads, obviously wanting to confirm for himself that’s really what it says. “Congratulations,” he says with a grin. “You’re a father.”
Caroline has stepped back, but she smiles directly at me and says softly, “He was already a father. Evelyn is a lucky little girl.”
My throat has released, but now my heart squeezes.
Evelyn is my daughter. Officially. Forever.
I never knew I could feel this way about another human being.
I also never knew I could feel about a woman the way I do about Caroline.
But she’s leaving Honeysuckle Harbor,andshe’s getting fucked by James and Cas.
“Thank you,” I manage to say. I turn my gaze to James and Cas. “To all of you. Seriously, I appreciate all the help and support you’ve given me.”
“What are neighbors for?” Cas says.
