“Okay, if you’re sure.” I wait until she nods to proceed. “So…my mom was sixteen when she found out she was pregnant. She told your dad, and he insisted she get an abortion. They broke up, and instead of getting an abortion, she went away and had the baby. As soon as the baby was born, she was adopted, and it was a closed adoption. My mom didn’t even hold her.” I pause because this is the part that kills me every time I think about it, which has been often since finding out about Ava. “My mom died never knowing Ava and always wanted to. She wrote her letters all the time.” I run my hand down my jaw. “It’s all really sad. My dad knew about the baby all along and talks about how much regret Mom had, never knowing her. Anyway, Ava did 23andMe and found Bruce.” I make a face. “This is where it gets dicier, and I’d rather not even fully go into it. Long story short, Bruce turned Ava against us and they pulled some shit, trying to shut down our resort project in Windy Harbor. I haven’t even told you all about that yet, and I don’t really want to talk about that part, because Ava’s come a long way since then. We’re trying to build a relationship with her now. I think there’s hope there. Your dad isn’t happy about that, though.”
When it’s our turn to board, I put the food containers in the bag, and we go wait for our turn to get on the plane. Once we’re seated, I look at Dahlia.
“Did I tell you too much?”
“No. I want to know everything. I’m just in shock. You’re a Whitman. And I have a sister.” She looks at me and sighs. “I always wanted a sibling, especially a sister.”
She leans her head back and is quiet for a long time.
“I wonder how long my dad has known about her.”
“I don’t know.”
Tears fall down her cheeks again, and she’s quiet as she swipes them away. I take her hand as we wait for takeoff.
When we’re finally in the air, I look over and she’s asleep. It’s for the best. I kept her awake most of the night, she’s worried about her daughter, and she just found out she has a sister her dad has kept a secret from her. Not to mention the Whitman/Granger bomb that neither of us saw coming.
Yeah, she’s due a nice long rest.
When her head starts to bob, I tell her to lean on my shoulder. I put my arm around her, and she curls into me. It’s nice. I end up falling asleep too.
I don’t wake up until we’re getting ready to land. I guess I was exhausted too. Dahlia is already awake, slipping her phone into her bag.
“Did you get some rest?” I ask.
“I just woke up a couple of minutes ago.”
“Good. You needed it. We both did.”
“Did you mean it about wanting to see where this goes between us?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay,” she says firmly. “I want that too. But Dylan, my dad can’t find out. I don’t want him anywhere near this. He doesn’t let go of a grudge, and when it comes to the Whitmans, I don’t think he ever will. I know how vindictive he can be.”
“Okay.” I waggle my eyebrows to lighten the mood. “We can sneak around. It’ll be exciting.” I lean in closer. “No, seriously, my dad’s got a lot to think about with his health, so I’ll keep it quiet on my end too.” I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “So, we take it day by day.”
“It’s probably going to be short-lived anyway, given that we’re living in two different states,” she says.
“Not for long…”
“But even then, you’ll be a couple of hours away. I say we just have fun and not try to label it.”
“If that’s what you want, but I’m warning you now, I’ll be the most fun you’ve ever had.”
Her cheeks flush. “Oh, you already are.”
I lift my shoulder. “See? You won’t be able to let me go.”
“Okay, okay. Let’s not get too cocky.”
I pull my phone out of the seat pocket. “Since we’re keeping this such a secret, I’m changing your name to a flower emoji. Which one do you think looks most like a dahlia?” I show her the flower options, and she picks the cherry blossom.
She picks up her phone and opens my contact information. She deletesDylanand puts in a guy on a surfboard.
“We’re official,” I say.
“Officially taking it day by day,” she corrects me.
