Page 10 of The Tryst

Trey nods, his face turning somber. “She got pregnant and didn’t tell Ethan. We didn’t find out about Sylvie until a few months ago when Alaine died of cancer.”

“Oh,” I murmur, a million questions racing through my mind. Alaine was a few years older than us but I knew her, just as I knew her brother Gabe.

“It’s been an adjustment, but Sylvie has settled in and Ethan’s dating a really wonderful woman named Marcie.”

Ethan dating. What do you know?

That sparks another question. “And what’s up with Kat and Gabe?”

“There’s so much to catch you up on. I think you should come eat dinner with the family tonight.”

Warning bells go off in my head. It was so painful to leave eleven years ago and while most of that pain had to do with this man, it was heartrending to leave behind the Blackburn family. A part of me died and I’m not sure I can walk back into that environment. There’s no doubt they’d welcome me with open arms, but what’s the point? I’m returning to Zurich, and I can’t afford to let my heart get entwined with this family again.

“I really can’t,” I say, turning back to the desk and shuffling papers. “I’ve got so much to do—”

I’m distracted by Trey pulling his phone out of his jeans—which fit him very, very well. He taps the screen and holds the phone to his ear before saying, “Hi, Mom. Yeah… I’m at Lyle’s store and I’m going to fix everything for Holland.” He pauses, listens to his mom and then nods. “Yeah… I already invited her, but she declined. I think you need to talk to her.”

I wave my hands frantically in a silent plea that I do not want to talk to Fi. He ignores me and says, “Here she is.”

Thrusting the phone at me, he grins. I glare at him, and we engage in a staring war before I growl in frustration.

Snatching the phone from Trey, I put it to my ear. “Hi, Fi. I really appreciate the invitation to dinner but—”

Her Irish brogue rolls right over me. “Don’t even think of saying no, child. You’ve been away for eleven years, and not apeep out of you. Now, be a good lass and accept the invite and give this old woman something to look forward to tonight.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “You’re not old and you’re so manipulative.”

She doesn’t outright laugh but I can hear her amusement. “That’s a yes, then?”

“It’s a yes,” I murmur in resignation.

I hand the phone back to Trey who tells his mother he loves her and then slides it into his pocket with a smug look. He throws a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll head out and grab what I need to fix up this store. I’ll be back.”

“Fine.” I wave my hand as I look to the mess that is my dad’s business life sprawled before me. “But I’m busy, so stay out of my hair when you get back.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he drawls and then he’s gone.

When I hear the door close, I sigh and once again lean into my chair. I really should have declined their invitation but part of me yearns for that connection. I’ve never found anything quite like it in my life since, and it awakens all those feelings I had when I was younger, of feeling like I was genuinely loved and cared for by the Blackburns.

The smell of Miranda’s pot roast filled the house, mingling with the buttery aroma of freshly baked rolls. The kitchen was a warm, welcoming space, the heart of the Blackburn household. They never ate in the formal dining room, instead preferring to crowd around the kitchen nook table so we were jammed in elbow to elbow. I felt a sense of belonging here that I never felt with my parents and while that caused some guilt, it was always banished when I was immersed in this family.

After Miranda brought all the dishes to the table, Tommy carved the pot roast while we served ourselves from the bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans and warm buttery rolls. Abbyand Kat sat on either side of me, chattering excitedly about our sleepover plans for later. Wade, Ethan and Trey sat across from us, Wade sneaking extra rolls while Trey tried to keep a straight face.

“Holland, would ye pass the gravy, please?” Fi asked with a warm smile.

I handed it over, swinging my legs and bouncing with happy energy.

After dinner, we cleared the dishes and moved to the living room, where, to my shock, a large cake with candles sat waiting. My eyes widened in surprise. “What’s this?”

Fi beamed at me. “It’s for your birthday, silly.”

Kat and Abby grabbed my arms and pulled me forward while Tommy got to work lighting all twelve candles.

My birthday had been the previous week, completely uncelebrated and forgotten because my dad had gotten drunk and my mom was angrily locked away in her room. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I looked around at the Blackburns, their faces glowing with affection. They had remembered when my own parents had not considered it important at all.

“Make a wish,” Kat whispered excitedly, and for some reason, my eyes landed on Trey. He was on the opposite side of the room, slouched in a chair with an easy smile on his face.

I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. Everyone cheered, and I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling warm and safe and loved.

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