Page 27 of Meet Cute the Virgin

I pull up the medical files again. I keep going over everything, hoping I missed something and I’ll catch it now. Then I’ll at least have a starting point. The leads I’ve run down already have been dead ends. I still have a few feelers out, and I can’t get into the file for one of his projects. I’m still working on cracking that. It’s proving harder than I thought it would be. I might have to make a call and cash in a favor.

I’m about to minimize his medical records when something catches my eye. It’s a physical from two decades ago. I skipped over it before, but now I’m staring at his blood type: AB negative. It can’t be. It’s not possible.

“No,” I say, leaning back in my chair. I rub my eyes to make sure I’m seeing clearly. Yep, still AB negative. How have I never put it together? Honestly, I never needed to or had the thought. I’m so dumbstruck I just sit here for a few minutes.

When it comes to Lily, I know everything. At least the things I can get my hands on. That’s why I know without a doubt that Lily’s blood type is O positive.

That means she was his daughter because he said she was. I never questioned whether he was her biological dad. Why would I?

I may not know everything, but I do know that a person with AB blood type cannot produce offspring that would have type O. It’s impossible.

Which means Victor is not Lily’s biological father.

Lily:You still there?

I type without thinking.Sorry, it’s a work thing.

Lily:The mysterious consulting job. Is this like when people say they’re entrepreneurs but really they’re jobless?

I mean, she’s not wrong.

Me:Always giving me a hard time.

Lily:It builds character.

I have heard that phrase many times before.

Lily:That’s what my dad used to say.

Me:Sounds like a smart man.

Lily:The best.

We keep messaging, but it’s hard to focus on anything; my mind is still reeling.

Lily:What is your dad like?

Me:Smart and an asshole.

Lily:Sounds like a tough combo.

Me:He’s something alright. Yours?

Lily:He was a good man, the best. Pure girl-dad energy. He taught me how to change a tire, how to braid my hair, and how to kill a man forty-eight ways without leaving evidence behind.

I smile despite the files burning behind my eyes. That was Victor. Practical. Protective. Teaching her independence because he knew he couldn’t keep her safe forever. But I can; maybe that’s why he entrusted her with me. It’s a nice thought, but I’m sure it’s fucking wrong.

Me:I’m sorry you lost him. He sounds like he was a good one.

Lily:I miss him every day. Some mornings I wake up and forget he’s gone, you know? Then I remember, and it’s like losing him all over again. Remember that I’m alone.

My throat tightens.

Me:How long has it been?

Lily:Couple years. Heart attack, but I don’t know. The man was in such good shape. And he ate terribly, and by “terrible” I mean “healthy.” I suppose some things are inevitable.

Me:We can’t outrun everything. No matter how hard we try.