CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Jocelyn
“Are you going to go in?” Cam asks.
We’re sitting in a small sandwich shop across from the apartment building where Kasen said my dad was living. I know his apartment number is two-twelve, but aside from that, I have no idea if he’s there right now.
“What am I even going to say?” I whisper.
“Say hi, Dad, good to see you,” Piper whispers.
“Why are we whispering?” Cam asks.
“I don’t know,” I groan as I run a hand through my unruly hair. Roxy and Clare are still at the bookstore. Hutch is at a meeting. And everyone else was predisposed. But Cam had the afternoon off from her café, and Piper took an hour away from her latest painting project to come join me and wait.
“Maybe he went out of town,” Cam says.
“Maybe he’s a spy and this is his safe house,” Piper suggests.
We both turn and look at her.
She shrugs. “I just read a spy romance. Plus, I live with Kasen.”
Cam laughs. “Fair point.”
I keep my eyes trained on the front doors. We practically shoved two guys out of this booth by the window so we could watch the comings and goings on the street. I was hopeful at first, but we’ve been here for two hours. I know Hutch will be home soon, and it’s already getting dark outside.
Sighing, I turn back to my friends. “You guys should head home. I think I’m going to go see if Val’s home. I haven’t hung out with her in forever,” I say as I glance once more at the building.
“Are you sure?” Cam asks.
Nodding, I scoot out from the bench. Piper hugs me as we stand.
“I’m sure you’ll find him,” she says as she pulls back and gives a big smile.
“Thanks, Pipes,” I say. Although I’m still uncertain if I want to find him. And if I do find him, I have no idea what I’ll say.
“I’ll make cherry chocolate muffins tomorrow,” Cam says, and I know she’s trying to make me feel better.
“Thanks, Cam,” I say. “I’m just going to use the bathroom. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
With a wave, they leave. I slip into the bathroom. By the time I finish, I’m debating whether I even want to find my dad. I mean, he waited all this time. Maybe it’s just better if I don’t see him.
I walk out of the restaurant deep in thought and run smack into someone.
“Sorry,” I mutter as I go to step around them.
“Jocelyn?” a voice asks.
I look up and my eyes widen as I stare into the face of a man I haven’t seen in years, a face with a nose just like mine.
“Dad?” I ask.
He smiles, and before I can say anything else, he pulls me into a hug. My face presses to his coat, and I inhale. I smell cigarette smoke. A habit he clearly never quit. I also smell the familiar scent of his aftershave, something woodsy.
He pulls back, placing his hands on my arms and looking down at me. “You look wonderful,” he says as his eyes search mine.
I look around. “What are you doing here?” I blurt out because suddenly my mind goes blank. All the conversations I’ve practiced in my head seem to vanish in the blink of an eye.
