Page 68 of Until I Find You

I wonder if a visit home would feel good. Or will it just make the ache of missing my birth mom worse?

My phone buzzes again. I lift it and, without looking at the notification, turn off the phone. I need to be away from the world for a bit. Get my feelings in order before I make anybody deal with me.

It’s quiet for a few moments.

I’m on an island. The same island I’ve always been on. Camilla Graff, a girl who doesn’t know where she comes from or who she really is.

My silence is interrupted by the buzzer for my apartment. I jump out of my chair.That’snot a text message on a phone I can turn off.

I didn’t order food, I’m not expecting a package this late at night…maybe it’s one of my neighbors who has been locked out. Wouldn’t be the first time.

I patter out of the kitchen and down the hallway to the intercom box beside the front door. I press the talk button. “Can I help you?”

“Camilla?” It’s Jack.

My heart swells.

“Can I come up?”

“Yeah, of course. Third floor. Apartment C.” I press the button for the building door, unlock and open my own, and step back against the wall, waiting for him.

It doesn’t take Jack long. in seconds, his feet scramble up the stairs. In a hurry. To get to me.

When he appears in my doorway, he looks so big. He’s a tall man, but not a giant. And yet, when he’s standing in my doorway, he crowds it. Like nothing could get past him.

He wears a perfectly tailored suit, a crisp button down, leather shoes. All business through and through.

I want to rip that expensive suit to bits and climb him like a tree.

There’s a shopping bag in his hand which he places down in the threshold before taking a step toward me. A smile spreads on his face, causing my heart to leap into my throat. “You’re beautiful.”

I glance down at myself and pull on the sleep shorts peeking out from under my bulky sweatshirt.

“Don’t say you’re not,” he says, reading my mind. “You have no idea how you look in my eyes.”

I only manage a shy smile. I don’t know what to say, his body and energy overwhelming the space between us.

Jack reaches for me, and I fall into his arms without hesitation, allowing him to pull me into a kiss.

It’s as if we haven’t seen each other in months rather than a day. Feeling he missed me so much makes me lightheaded. KnowingImissed him so much terrifies me.

When his mouth parts from mine, he nuzzles his nose against mine and whispers, “I had to come see you.”

“I’m glad you did.” I tighten my grip on his shoulders, kissing him again.

Jack moans into my mouth, and my insides melt. But to my surprise, he breaks the kiss again and hefts me into his arms, allowing me to wrap my arms and legs around his torso. He cups the back of my head with one hand and rocks me back and forth. “I missed you.”

I tuck my head into his neck, let myself be rocked. Be his baby girl. But I can’t ignore the quality of his voice, the trembling edginess. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he rasps. “I’m fine.”

I don’t believe him. I lift my head, find his dark brown eyes, and cup his cheek with my hand, my thumb skimming his lower lip. “Tell me.”

Jack swallows. “Did you miss me, baby?”

He’s ignoring my question. For a reason, I’m sure, but I remain curious. I won’t push, though. Won’t pry. That will just build resentment. He’ll tell me in time. Won’t he?

“Of course, Daddy. I missed you so much.”

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