Page 36 of Finally Found You

“I’m on a break and decided to check in,” she says, her voice warm and concerned. “You texted me on Monday saying, ‘I got a job,’ and didn’t give any more details.”

Taking a deep breath, I dive into the story. “At the winery. With Lysander.”

I fill her in on everything that has transpired since the last time we talked: the summer camps, how Lysander has been trying to show us the Bay Area while getting to know his daughter, and more.

“Oh, and today, he got the confirmation that Kenzy is ninety-nine point nine percent his daughter,” I add. “His lawyers are working to resolve the guardianship issue in Colorado.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” She sounds relieved.

“I guess. As long as Kenzy is happy,” I respond, my heart nearly suffocating with the mixed emotions trapped in my soul. Her happiness means the world to me, but it feels like watching another person slip through my fingers.

A gentle exhale breezes through the phone, and I can practically visualize JJ’s empathetic frown. “Somehow, I don’t believe you.”

Her words slice through me, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. I know she’s right. I can’t fool her. As much as I want Kenzy to be happy, there’s a storm of emotions brewing inside me.

Knowing she’ll be concerned about me, I promptly say, “No, really, it’s all good. If she decides to stay, I can always return to North Carolina. They might give me my old job back.”

“Is this about Ronan?” Her voice wavers, not quite upset but clearly worried about my decisions.

“Absolutely not,” I assure her. “I doubt he’ll ever speak to me again. Not after what Lysander did to him.”

“What happened?” she inquires.

“Lysander’s legal team was able to prove that I paid the down payment for the house,” I explain to her. “Ronan was compensated for the small amount he’d contributed toward the mortgage, and then he was evicted.”

JJ laughs on the other side of the line. “I think I like this Lysander character.”

“He’s a good man,” I admit casually.

“So we’re catching feelings for him, are we?” Her tone dances with mischief, the amusement evident even through the phone. She exhales loudly, the humor fading as she continues, “I thought this was just supposed to be a harmless crush.”

She’s right. It was meant to be nothing more than that—a fleeting infatuation. But as I get to know Lysander better, it becomes increasingly difficult not to fall, even just a little, for his charm and kindness.

I could pretend she’s wrong, but I desperately need to confide in someone. My chest constricts as I force the words out, my voice barely a whisper. “To be honest, I’m terrified to admit it, but…” I trail off, closing my eyes as I prepare to say it out loud. “My feelings for him are growing. As I spend more time with him, it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore my emotions.”

“Oh, Cam.” JJ’s voice is gentle, filled with understanding even from miles away. “Can you fall out of love? Focus on his flaws.”

I could try to uncover his imperfections, search for something that would quench the fiery emotions welling up inside me. But every time I try, his confidence strikes me—a self-assurance that never tips into arrogance.

He’s kind and loving with his daughter, a tenderness I never expected to witness when he first met her. The way he loves leaves my heart aching with longing.

He’s like no one I’ve ever met, and it’s utterly disarming.

“My heart and my head are at war with each other,” I confess into the phone. “In the end, I know I won’t act on my feelings. And I have to go away soon.”

“But you don’t have to go all the way to North Carolina,” she says, warm and inviting. “I have a room, and you can find a job here.”

“I have a house there,” I remind her.

“You can rent or sell it,” she suggests gently.

“There’s no point in this discussion. I won’t leave until Kenzy is ready,” I announce.

The conversation continues, but my mind is already racing, trying to pinpoint the best moment to leave Kenzy. I can’t stay, and I won’t take her when I see how much more capable Lysander is of caring for her. JJ ends the conversation as her break is over. She makes me promise to call her if I feel like the world is about to swallow me.

I agree, but perhaps this time, I’ll let the world consume me. I’m not sure if I have much fight in me.

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