Page 30 of Finally Found You

“I know that now,” he mumbles, his tone almost apologetic.

“So what did your cronies tell you about me?” Curiosity got the better of me.

He looks at me thoughtfully. “You’ve made a lot of sacrifices for my child.”

I scoff. “That’s a lie.”

“You turned down several full-ride scholarships to stay close to Kenzy and attended community college instead. When you got another scholarship from Duke, you accepted it with the Dragos’ help. You had multiple job offers but chose the one in North Carolina. I assume it’s because it paid better, and the insurance covered your grandmother and Kenzy, too,” he explains, his voice laced with admiration.

I roll my eyes, trying to downplay the significance. “You make it sound like a big deal. I just did what was best for the family.”

“As a token of my appreciation, I’m going to pay the fees to kick your ex from the house and put it on the market. That’ll be the easiest way to split your investment and his,” he says, his offer sincere and generous.

I stare at him, unable to react. I’m grateful but embarrassed. It’s easier if I steer the conversation. “What about the guardianship in Colorado? Are you taking care of that?”

He nods. “We already sent over the DNA samples to establish paternity. Though I don’t want to involve Elsie, I will if I have to. It’s easier if she explains why she left the guardianship to her mother.”

I do my best not to cringe when he mentions Aunt Elsie. If he thinks it’s what’s best for Kenzy, I can’t object. My gut feeling says to stay away, but I’m just the cousin.

He might know what’s best in this case. It’s clear that he truly cares about Kenzy and wants the best for her. But as I watch him, I become increasingly aware of the undeniable chemistry between us, a longing that threatens to engulf me.

Sitting down and drinking wine with him might not be the best idea, so I spring out of the chair.

“Are you running away again?” he asks, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“No. I’m just moving. Sitting for so long is not my style,” I lie, my cheeks flushing.

“You need to stop avoiding me. We’re both adults, and we can control our urges. It’ll go away soon,” he promises as he stands again next to me.

Our bodies are just inches apart, and heat radiates from him. This is a bad idea.

Bad.

Idea.

Our eyes lock, and for a brief, intoxicating moment, it feels as though the world has ceased to exist, leaving only the two of us suspended in time. The air around us crackles with electricity, charged with the tension of our unspoken desires. I can sense his growing longing, mirroring the ache that courses through my veins, consuming me from the inside.

Our faces draw nearer, our lips mere breaths away from a meeting, when suddenly, my phone rings, shattering the spellbinding moment. I jump back, startled, as I fumble to answer the call.

“I… I have to take this,” I stammer, my heart pounding in my chest. I use that moment to put some distance between us. The pull between Lysander and me is undeniable, but I have to remember that Kenzy comes first. Always.

Chapter Fifteen

Camilla

The following day, it’s impossible to come up with an excuse to avoid Lysander. We end up driving down to Santa Cruz, where Fern owns a beach house. The place is breathtakingly beautiful. I get to meet her twins, Elijah and Alyth. They’re adorable.

While Elliot teaches Kenzy to surf, Lysander is helping Fern with the twins. I choose to lie on the beach, trying to immerse myself in a book I found in their library. It seemed appropriate to read The Old Man and the Sea.

“Lysander could teach you how to surf,” Fern suggests as she approaches me with Alyth in her arms.

I glance up at the adorable baby. “She’s so beautiful,” I say, setting the book on the table next to the lounge chair. “Where’s Elijah?”

“He’s right here.” Lysander’s voice sends a shiver down my spine, each syllable resonating within me.

“You should teach her how to surf,” Fern insists.

“I actually learned during grad school. We used to go to the Outer Banks often,” I admit.

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