Cade
FYI, it took a lot for Enzo to give you space here, but he did it on his own. This, right here, is one hundred percent me. I sent Jack to bring you guys back safely. Enzo will never forgive himself if something happens. And Jack owes me.
Lyndall grabs the phone and looks. "Right, I just bet it did." And she looks like she wants to cry. "Jack is also like a brother. Which is about right, since I only have fake brothers and no actual ones."
Me
Thanks.
I put the phone down and slide it to Lyndall, who tucks it in her hoodie pocket.
"Let's imagine the fight we overheard is right," I say in the cozy coffee shop.
She shoots me an incredulous look. "Clearly, it is, Lola. I-it's okay if you want me to be your... you know."
"Sister? Come on. You should know me better than that, Lyndall. But if you want to know for sure?—"
"I don't," she snaps.
"A DNA test will clear it up."
She sniffs. "You don't want me either. That's clear."
"Don't be silly."
"I'm not."
"Look, Lyndall, I'd love for you to be my sister, and what I'm trying to say is that the DNA test will prove the bloodlines, but not who is family. Enzo is your family." I lean forward right as she opens her mouth to twist my words into something else.
I know her mood, I've been her age, and giant upheavals like this are hard on anyone.
But on a young girl?
It breaks my heart to see her in pain. "Before you say anything, even if you weren't my sister by blood, I'd consider you family because you're awesome."
She sniffles. "You're only saying that."
"No, I'm not. And he would, too. He loves you."
"Jack?" She gives a watery laugh.
"Enzo." I pick up my mug, holding it. "You grew up with him. You're more his sister than mine. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, but don't ever forget you had Enzo. You're loved, and that's special."
But she looks at me. "And my so-called father? I don't need a DNA test to know he's not my father. And if we go by the rules you just spouted, then even if he is, he might as well not be because he doesn't like me."
"Lyndall, that's not true." I might not like the man, I might, in fact, hate him.
He might hide her away, ignore her, resent her, but I'm betting he loves her. Because he doesn't strike me as the type to keep anyone around if he didn't like them.
Of course, I could be way off base.
"It is. He hates me."
A cute guy comes into the café in jeans and a light sweater.
After looking around, he sees us and waves.
It has to be Jack. I can see the resemblance to Cade.
