Page 24 of Finally Found You

“Where are you going at midnight?” she inquires, her curiosity piqued. “Date with the forbidden?”

“No. I guess he has to talk to me. Maybe something about Kenzy or… who knows?”

“Call me after you’re done and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she says with faux authority before hanging up.

Gathering my thoughts, I make my way to the rooftop of the apartment building, following Lysander’s instructions. My anticipation builds with each step.

As I step out onto the roof, the breathtaking sight of the San Francisco skyline at night greets me. The Golden Gate Bridge is illuminated in the distance, while the twinkling lights of the city create a magical backdrop. The cool night air brushes against my skin as I take in the stunning views of the landmarks that surround us.

And there, leaning against the railing with a thoughtful expression on his face and holding a glass of amber liquid in one hand, is the undeniably attractive, hot, and delicious Lysander. The man I shouldn’t be drawn to, and the one I have to resist.

“Camilla,” he says as he notices me, his voice deep and steady. “Thank you for coming this late at night. I needed to ask you a few questions.”

“And it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” I ask, trying to maintain a casual tone, though my heart is pounding in my chest.

The late-night setting, the romantic atmosphere—it all feels dangerous, and I struggle to remind myself that we can’t act on any lingering feelings. No, just never mention it.

He shakes his head. Lysander looks at me, his eyes filled with concern. “It’s about Kenzy’s mother,” he begins. “When I mentioned we found her, your face filled with worry.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I say, staring at the horizon, evading his probing gaze.

He scoffs. “But you do,” he disagrees with me. “Is there something I need to learn about Elsie Balsamo before I contact her?”

I sigh, resigning myself to the truth. I recount everything Elsie said to me, word for word, and how she changed her number after telling me never to contact her again.

His jaw clenches. “If I could just figure out why she didn’t mention Kenzington to me or…” He runs a hand through his hair and finishes whatever he’s drinking.

“Umm, do you have a drinking problem?” I inquire, trying to shift the focus.

He chuckles. “No. I like to have a glass of single malt after a trying day. It’s not every day you find out you have a daughter.” He glances at me. “Or that you almost slept with her cousin.”

I flinch. “Well, there’s that, too. Aren’t you glad I ran away?” I try to sound casual, but the memory stirs conflicting emotions.

He presses his lips together and sighs. “Let’s focus on Kenzy and Elsie. From what I’ve gathered, your aunt is unpredictable and unreliable. Kenzy has been through so much already, and I don’t want her to experience any more heartache or disappointment.”

“I couldn’t agree more with you. Do you know she’s never met her mom?” I reveal, my voice tinged with sadness.

“Never?”

I shake my head. “I only saw her a few times. My friend JJ gave me her number. Well, I guess her dad or…” I shrug because, honestly, I have no idea how they found her.

Lysander nods. “Who is JJ?”

I tell him about the Dragos, my second foster home. I don’t remember the first one, but that’s totally fine. All I learned about them is that, once I stopped being a cute baby, they didn’t want me in their home.

“JJ is a couple of years older than me,” I say. “She’s my best friend—and almost like a big sister.”

“Where is your mother?”

“She died when I was only a few days old,” I whisper, swallowing the lump that forms in my throat.

“And your father?”

I shrug. “Nobody knows who my father was. It could’ve been someone from high school or…” I trail off. “Mom was only sixteen when she had me and died.”

“I’m so sorry,” he says, his voice soft and empathetic.

I bob my head, hoping he doesn’t ask more about it. I really don’t like to discuss my mother or the fact that I’ll never know who my father was.

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