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“You know it,” Riley replies. In some ways, they’re kindred spirits, and both are stronger for this moment of shared kinship.
As Riley walks out of the coffee shop, Janey sits down and falls into my arms. I run a soothing hand up and down her back, comforting her until she’s cried out.
“That was awful, but I’m glad she got to meet her dad after all these years,” Janey says when she’s calmed down enough to speak. She’s turned, tucked into my side so that her head’s resting on my shoulder.
“I’m more shocked she didn’t want to go after the cash.” It’s crude, but unfortunately true. Not many could see a pile of money that they have legal claim to and walk away from it because it wasn’t what mattered to them. The person was.
“You know how she said she found her family in that cabin in the woods?” Janey whispers.
“Yeah?”
She lifts her head, looking me in the eyes. Her gray ones are bloodshot, pink, and puffy, but she looks gorgeous to me. Her big heart, even when it’s hurting, is beautiful. “I did too.”
She doesn’t mean her family of assholes. She means me. I’m her family.
And truthfully, she’s mine.
But it’s more than that. Meeting Janey in that cabin not only gave me her, but she’s managed to somehow give me all my siblings, bringing us together in a way we’ve never been before. Janey did that, with her smiles and sunshine, hopes and silver linings.
But it’s all her. My Janey.
“Me too,” I answer, placing a gentle kiss to her lips. “You ready to go home?”
Her smile is all the answer I need, so I wave at the waitress. She holds a hand up, letting me know she’ll be right with me.
“I’m gonna freshen up really quick,” Janey tells me, pointing at her eyes and then the restroom across the diner.
“Alright, I’ll be right here,” I say. I watch her walk across the room, and once she’s safely in the restroom, I pull out my phone to text Louisa.
Person of Interest = daughter from college hookup. No interest in pursuing inheritance. No need to notify client. Webster case, closed.
It seems harsh to summarize the last forty-five minutes into four emotionless sentences, but it’s all the record needs to reflect. The tears, the story, the heartfelt connection, those aren’t for an impersonal record. They’re for me, Janey, and Riley, who I truly hope will continue to do well.
CHAPTER 25
JANEY
In the restroom, I blow my nose and wash my hands, splash the cool water on my face and tap my fingers under my eyes, hoping to dissipate the puffiness a bit. I can’t wash away the evidence of all the crying, but that’s okay. It was worth every tear to see Riley walk out with her head held high and her back straight, knowing that she has a place in the world—one she was created from, and one she carved out herself with hard work.
“As good as it’s gonna get,” I tell my reflection in the mirror over the sink. Still, I tap at my cheeks a little, giving them a bit of rosy color before I open the door and walk back into the restaurant.
I’m barely out of the restroom when I hear my name. “Janey?”
I glance to my left and see Henry, sitting alone at a table with a cup of coffee. He looks the same as he always did. His hair’s freshly trimmed, his face clean-shaven even though it’s late in the day, his tie is precisely centered on his throat, and his sleeves are folded back carefully to showcase his expensive watch.
“I thought that was you. Hey!” he says with a friendly smile. Like we’re old buddies running into each other and he’s not an ex who cheated on me, abandoned me, and made me feel like I was worth less than gum on his shoe.
Actually, that part was probably partially my fault. He didn’t do the things he should’ve, and that blame rests solely on his shoulders, but I didn’t demand more or expect better. And I accepted his bare minimum time and time again while making excuses for him. That’s on me.
I know better now. I would never stoop that low.
This time, it’s Henry who’s rambling, not me. “You look great. How’re you doing? Have a seat and we can catch up.” He points at the chair across from him, welcoming me to sit with him and assuming I’ll be glad to do so.
“Are you serious?” I snap, indignant that he would think I’d fall right back into his arms that easily.
“What?” he shrugs like my reaction is completely irrational. When he sees the anger on my face, he actually chuckles. “Don’t be like that. Look, I’m sorry, okay?”
He makes it sound like his apologizing is doing me a favor. That what he did was no more than being late for a cup of coffee or something.
