Page 69 of Who We Love

He shrugs like this is all a simple no-brainer. “Dad and I didn’t have the best relationship before, but we worked at it. That’s what we’re offering you—a family to belong to.”

Belonging.It’s a word I have always craved. Mason envelops me in a hug, Arthur joins, and I feel myself relax.

“It’s going to take time to get used to this.” Breaking the silence and the hug, I look at both of them.

“Now, can you tell us why you’re packing?” Arthur, myfather, points at the cardboard boxes.

“The Deckers, reporters, money—take your pick.” I smile at both of them. “The money I earn from the jewelry pays my loans, and the counseling gig pays for the rent and utilities. No counseling, no way I can afford this place.”

Arthur frowns and pulls out his phone. “Did Chris fire you?”

I shake my head. No, he expects me to go back to work soon. But how can I just waltz into the building after the media circus they had in there?

“Good, but if you’re not comfortable working for him, we can help you search for another practice. Finance your own practice. Say the word, and we’ll help you. Your loans? Taken care of. As your father, I have to pay for your education.”

“Ainsley and I can offer you her old house. It’s vacant,” Mason adds. “Everyone knows you live here, so if you move there, no one will look for you, and it’s close to the practice too.”

“Ainsley knows?”

“Yes, the wife just found out, and she’s excited,” Mason explains with that same glint in his eyes that appears every time he talks about her. “She’s been meaning to come over and check on you, but I didn’t want her to talk to you until Dad did.”

“I’m not asking for much, Thea, just to let me be a part of your life.” Arthur melts my heart, and now I know why he’s looked at me with that same loving expression he uses with his granddaughter. While Matt and Mason spent days erasing every picture of me on the Internet, the man held me for hours assuring me that everything was going to be fine.

“We’re also asking for you to become a Bradley.” Mason smiles at me. “It has a better ring to it than Dennis. Dr. Agatha Bradley.”

That is a huge step I choose to interpret as a sign of acceptance. “Can we take it one day at a time?” I take a step forward and hug Arthur. “Thank you for all you’ve done since you found out about me.” Turning to Mason, I make an important decision. “As long as you let me pay rent, then yes, please, I’ll take you up on your offer. Thank you for…” I shrug.

It’ll take some time for me to adjust to this new change. I’m not used to having a family who cares for me without demanding anything in return—other than letting them be a part of my life.

Matt didn’t like my decision to relocate to Ainsley’s old house. He had this crazy plan that we should move in together. After all, in dog years we’ve been dating for five years. His nonsense logic didn’t work on me, but it was sweet. Before I move forward with him, I want to settle my relationship with my father.

Also, I want us to discuss our breakup with Tristan. We’re both in denial, or maybe hopeful that he’ll come back to us. Will he?

“Everything is set.” Matt gives me a peck while I unpack my crafts.

Moving day was hectic, but fast. We packed in less than an hour and had everything unpacked in three. Mason and Arthur coordinated everything. They brought friends and family, including the Deckers. Ainsley stayed behind with Gracie, but she sent over a fancy coffee maker as my housewarming gift. She said it brings good luck. I don’t care about the luck as long as it delivers coffee when I need it.

“This is perfect.” I look at my craft room with a huge table in the middle and shelves against the wall. “Maybe I’ll never come out of here.”

“Except for work,” Chris says, entering the room. “I expect you back on Tuesday, right?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for not firing me.”

“Why would I fire you?” His dark eyebrows meet each other and his lips pucker as if he’s trying to give me a stern look. It’s more like a funny face.

“Because the press harassed your patients. My father…”

“It’s hard to think of Martin as just some guy.” He squeezes my hand. “Maybe as hard as it is to stop calling Arthur by name and say the D word.”

I nod. It’s been three weeks since I found out he’s my father, and each day I promise myself that maybe tomorrow I’ll call him Dad, but when I see him, my mouth doesn’t remember.

“It’ll take time for you to adjust. He’s a nice guy who is trying to make up for all the years he missed.” My eyes divert to the kitchen, where he’s painting the window frames. The one thing we missed. The two of us had been painting the walls for the past week. “That should clue you in to how important you are to him.”

Everything changes too fast in life. Yesterday’s routine is gone. We’re trying to find a new one while finding ourselves. Maybe Chris is making a point, or his words are hitting home. I should also make the effort to make up for those lost times with my father and my brother. Changing my last name doesn’t affect me, but it’d make them happy. Calling him Dad—it’s freaking scary, but I’ll try harder.

“You’re going to paint this house back to its original classy colors, right?” Mason puts an arm around my shoulders. “Hippie-chic is against the lending contract.”

I bump him with my hip, smirking at him.

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