Page 147 of Chandelier Enthralled
She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Do you know what she has on me?”
“During her research she found no birth certificate for you.”
“Because I don’t have one.”
“Chloe was right, then.”
Chloe was getting close, though how much she knew was a mystery. I was the last person alive who knew about this—other than Cameron.
“Didn’t you study in England?” she said. “How did you get a passport?”
“A lawyer presented a birth affidavit for me. That’s another way to get a passport.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
I turned to face her. “You mean, I should keep this buried?”
“Yes, whatever it is. Maybe that’s okay.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it tenderly, sharing that I was entrusting her with my precious history.
“I have few memories of my mom. The only place we saw each other was in that house. And of course, here. At night. When the tourists had left.”
“She didn’t live with you?”
“She stayed over, sometimes.”
“And your dad?”
I gave a wry smile. “Atticus can’t understand why I don’t leave. I’m sure he’ll understand the reason now.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“I’ve only ever told one man, and that’s Cameron.”
Willa’s face lit up. “He’d guard that secret with his life.”
“We’ve talked about it. He was the only one I could trust.”
“He has a few secrets of his own, I’m sure.” She nudged my arm. “I will never use this to further my career. That’s a thing I refuse to do.”
“If it comes out, I want it to be you.”
“You stayed in that house because it’s all you have left of her.”
I smiled at a fond memory. “She wore Chanel No. 5.”
A woman kneeling before me, having brought toys, and the kind of warmth I often craved. Her hugs brightening my day and offering the love I needed.
The woman who kept my loneliness at bay.
“I was homeschooled. No friends, which made me kind of quirky.”
“Oh, Greyson, I don’t find you like that.”
“Yes, you do, but it’s fine,” I said cheerfully. “I have friends like Jake and Atticus and Cameron, and they get me.”
