Page 112 of Embracing Trust

Julia clutches her chest with her hand, her eyes open wide. “Ryan,” she exclaims.

I hold my hand out to the vacant chair at the table. A member of the wait staff shows up and pulls the chair out for her. I sit across the table from her.

Julia’s eyes widen. “What’re you doing here?”

“I heard an amazing photographer—who I happen to be in love with—has her photos on display here.”

Julia grins. “Really? Do I know her?”

I give Julia a wink. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself.”

“I’m not a patient man.” I rub the back of my neck. “I had to come here.”

“How’d you know where to find me?”

I don’t tell her that her best friend is Team Ryan and Julia. “I have my ways.”

“Do you?” she asks, her voice all flirty and soft.

“I’m here foryou. Besides wanting to see your presentation inside, I wanted to talk to you. And oh, congratulations, by the way.”

“Thank you. They had a nice program inside and good things to say about my photographs.”

“I know. I was there,” I say as I point to the building.

“You were?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

She leans forward and rests her arms on the table. “I’ve missed you.”

“Oh baby, I’ve missed you.”

She smiles and it lights up my heart.

“I’m here to share something important with you.” I reach into the pocket of my suit jacket and pull out the envelope Gary Bishop gave me in his office two days ago. It’s still sealed shut. “These are the results from a court-ordered DNA test.”

She raises her eyebrows. “A DNA test?”

I take a deep breath. “I haven’t opened it yet, because I was hoping I could open it for the first time with you—so we could see it together.”

My hand sweats as I grip onto the envelope that holds my future. “I don’t know what the results are, but Idoknow I need you. I need you with me and I especially need your support. From now on, I want you to be a part of everything in my life.”

“Oh, Ryan,” Julia whispers as she reaches across the table and grasps my hand. “Open it,” she says in a soft voice.

I loosen the flap and pull out the letter-size paper and unfold it. I skim through the contents until I find the result. “The alleged father is excluded as the biological father of the test child. The probability of the paternity is zero percent.”

Adrenaline roars through my veins and makes me light-headed. My chest expands and practically pops the buttons off my dress shirt.

I look at the letter again. “The probability of the paternity is zero percent,” I whisper, maybe more to myself than to Julia.

“Oh, Ryan.” Julia smiles as tears roll down her cheeks.

I press my palm to my chest as my out-of-control heart continues rapid fire.

My brain is a ping pong ball bouncing off the walls and I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where exactly this leaves me with Julia.

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