Page 59 of We Thought We Knew It All
I didn’t answer him right away. I’d refused every interview request I’d received afterEmmahit the bestseller list. My publisher hadn’t been happy at first, but then it added to the mystique of the book. The mysterious daughter of the mysterious actress who disappeared from Hollywood. This time it was going to be all me.
The word “no” was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t force it out.
“We want to build anticipation for this new book,” he went on.
“Okay,” I said, surprising even myself.
“Really?”
“I’ll do one. But I get to choose who we try to get to do the interview. Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.”
I hung up before he could object.
The rattle of the mail box slamming shut right outside the front door made me jump. An engine roared to life and by the time I opened the door, the mailman was pulling away. I stepped out into the rain, trying to shield my face with my arm.
I reached in and pulled out the mail before ducking back inside. My shirt was wet, but I barely noticed as I flipped through envelopes. Bill, bill, junk, ads, then I stopped and let it all fall to the floor with the exception of one envelope. I clutched it to my chest and ran into the kitchen, away from little prying eyes.
It became harder and harder to breathe as I stared at the return address. This was it.
My fingers itched to tear it open, but I knew I couldn’t. Instead, I took out my phone and dialed Dylan.
“I’m on my way,” he said after I’d explained.
Twenty minutes later, we faced each other across the counter, the envelope laying against the granite between us.
Dylan looked a little rough, with his hair sticking out to the side and dark circles under his eyes. I’d been dwelling on how this test would affect me and Jamie, forgetting that Dylan had more stake in it than anyone.
He breathed deeply. “He’s my son no matter what.”
I nodded, reaching forward to take the envelope between my shaking hands. I slid my thumb under the flap releasing it from its sticky hold.
I unfolded the page inside and scanned my eyes across the words. Only one word jumped out at me.
“Match,” I whispered.
“What?” Dylan ripped the paper from my hands, needing to read it for himself. An elated smile spread across his handsome face and he let out a laugh. “I knew it.”
“Congratulations,” I said. “You have a son.”
“Always did.” He flattened his hair with his hands. “Always did.”
I turned away from him, not sure what I should be feeling. All those years, I’d held on to Jamie, thinking we might be more connected than he knew. It’d been a mistake not to find out before then. I knew that now.
And it was up to me to bring the news to Jamie. A tear slid down my cheek, but I wiped it away before Dylan could see.
Jackson walked in to join us. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Dylan wrapped Jackson in a strong hug. “Everything is okay now.”
Jackson looked at me in question, but I’d already started moving toward the door. My dad was still in the living room with the younger two. He met my gaze, and I flicked my eyes back toward the kitchen where Dylan still was. Dad nodded in understanding.
“Can you do bed time tonight?” I asked. “I have to go and might not be back.”
“Of course.”
I didn’t know why it felt so immediate. The news would keep, but suddenly I needed to see Jamie. I needed him to know. I owed him that much.
The rain pounded along the darkened street as I merged onto the highway. It wouldn’t be too late when I got there at least.
