Page 101 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Lu, you know that’s not fair.”

I release a groan, shoving my plate to the side. “You act like he’s going to care and want to be involved. He has an opportunity to go back to his former life. I can’t imagine why anyone would ever leave a world like that.”

“He was miserable, or so he claims.”

“And he’s happy here, dating a nurse, when he was engaged to a woman whose father owns half of San Francisco? Come on, Stefani, let’s not buy into another of Owen’s stories.”

My friend grasps my hands, squeezing them tight. “Then how about one of my stories? Will you listen to it?”

I soften, realizing that I’ve been a terrible friend this past week. I’ve been so focused on my predicament that a nuclear bomb could have exploded in Stef’s life, and I wouldn’t notice. “Always. I’m sorry that I’ve been so distracted.”

“It’s understandable, but I need you to hear my story before you make any final decisions about keeping Owen out of the loop. Do you remember when my family friend passed away from leukemia four years ago?”

I tap my finger against my chin, searching my memory banks. “I believe so. You’d only come back into contact with him recently, right?”

Stefani nods, her eyes filling with tears. “He wasn’t a family friend. He was my birth father.”

I’m glad I’m sitting, because I was not ready for that news. I’ve met Stefani’s father; she calls him Dad. Suddenly two and two isn’t four. “He’s…wait, what?”

“The man who raised me isn’t my biological father, but I didn’t learn that until five years ago, when my birth father appeared on my doorstep. At first, I thought he was an escaped lunatic, but then I realized that I look just like him. Spitting image. So, I called my mother, and she confirmed it.”

“Where the hell had he been?”

“Prison for the first few years and then rebuilding his life. He tried to establish a connection with me, but my parents threw up every roadblock, even resorting to blackmail. My mother thought she was protecting me, but in truth, she robbed me of knowing my birth father.”

“That explains why you were so devastated when he died.”

Stefani nods, pulling a sip from her water. “I only got a year with him, and he was sick for most of it. It took another year for me to forgive my parents for keeping me in the dark.”

“I don’t want my child to hate me for my choices.” Her story sends my mind spiraling. It casts an entirely new perspective on the situation, one my anger and jealousy wouldn’t allow before.

“Owen deserves to know. What he does with that information is up to him. If he acts like an asshole, cut him loose and never look back. But Lu,” she grabs my hand again, “he told me and Dan at the bar he loves you and will be there for every single moment. Sweetie, he knows.”

I’m shaking my head before she finishes. “I’m sure he doesn’t know, Stef. But I will give my decision some serious thought. Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m sorry you had to endure it.”

She wipes her eyes, forcing a smile. “Exactly. Which is why I don’t want my future godchild going through it.”

I chuckle at her assumption, even though she’s right. Who else would I pick? “It’s hard. I thought I found the one with Owen, but now I see that we have nothing in common.”

“That’s not true. He’s still the same guy.”

“No, he’s this ultra-wealthy cardiologist who was about to marry into a family of billionaires. He’s partied on private islands and yachts. I can’t afford a dinghy.” I motion to myself, moving my hands along my sides. “And his ex-fiancée, she looks exactly like a doctor’s wife should look.” I hate saying those words, but it’s true. After seeing her, I realize that Owen went slumming with me.

“I’ll bet Charlotte isn’t nearly as beautiful as you think.”

I choke on my water. “Trust me, she puts catwalk models to shame.”

“It’s probably all plastic surgery.”

“Does it matter? The woman is the definition of perfection. It’s funny though, and maybe it’s wishful thinking, but they don’t fit together. Both are so beautiful, but they seem mismatched somehow.”

Stefani perks up at my words. “You see? You and Owen were disgustingly cute. The way you looked at each other, and all those caresses and kisses on the down low—don’t think I didn’t see them. You two were made for each other.”

I would argue, but we were adorable. The spark between me and Owen could light up the eastern seaboard. It doesn’t help my bruised ego, though. “I know that I’m cute and cool, but I’m also clumsy and fun-sized and hide behind glasses.”

“All things I love about you.”

My head flies up and I narrow my eyes at Owen, standing right behind my chair. I should be used to the man’s secondary talent as a ninja by now, but as usual, he took me by surprise. It’s the first words he’s said to me since the showdown at his condo. No notes this time, either. He must realize we’re too far past that point.

---