Page 3 of Just Like That

There was a time when I had found that story funny and endearing, but hearing myself recount it aloud, it fell a little flat and kind of made Olive sound like a jerk.

I swallowed hard and backtracked. “She could charm anyone and everyone.”

Sylvie hummed.

I found myself nervously chattering as we walked. “When Olive found out she was pregnant at twenty-one, she wasn’t even scared. She wasthrilled.She always seemed to know that everything would work out. I envied that.”

“My little sister is kind of like that,” Sylvie said. “She’s always so sure of herself.”

I offered a polite smile, and we continued walking in companionable silence as thoughts of my sister flooded my brain.

As her younger sister, I had been terrified for Olive—convinced her life was practically over. She had a string of ex-boyfriends, but none that we had ever met. When my mother demanded to know who the father was, she simply said,“It doesn’t matter. I’m taken care of, and I can do this on my own.”

Olive powered through and started her life as a single mother. My heart ached, knowing I hadn’t taken the time to really stop and check in with her ... to make sure she was okay. I had been too wrapped up in the clout of a blooming social media page full of sponsorships and an exciting paycheck. I called often, but rarely came home for holidays and birthdays. Teddy knew me as a face on a screen and a few bills slipped inside a birthday card.

Why on earth did she think I could take care of him?

As we approached the fire station, I watched Teddy walk out of the open bay door with a firefighter’s helmet bobbling on his head. It was too large and heavy for him, so his neck dipped and his little hand came up to steady it.

Behind him were a small group of firefighters, dressed in black boots, navy tactical pants, and T-shirts with OFD embroidered over the left chest pocket.

I ran straight toward Teddy and kneeled in front of him. “There you are!” I wrapped him in a hug as his head struggled with the weight of the helmet. “I looked up and you were gone! You scared the shit out of me!”

“You aren’t supposed to say that in front of me,” Teddy chided. I couldn’t help but laugh and pull him in for another quick hug.

“Sorry, kid. I’m working on that.” I peered up at his striking blue-green eyes, emotion swimming in mine as relief washed over me. “You really scared me.”

His features fell, and he looked away. “Sorry. I just really, really wanted to?—”

“This guy belong to you?” a voice called from over Teddy’s shoulder.

I looked up to see a firefighter with a wide grin and playful eyes.

I stood and held out my hand. “Yes, thank you so much. I looked away for one second and he was gone.”

“I’m Lee Sullivan. It’s no problem. Heard the alert over the radio, and we were all keeping our eyes peeled. Turns out this little dude was on a mission.” Lee tapped the top of Teddy’s helmet, and my nephew’s cheeks turned pink as he grinned.

Another firefighter approached Sylvie. I put my arm around Teddy and tucked him into my side. I didn’t trust he wouldn’t bolt again, and I was still reeling from worry.

Their voices were hushed, but Sylvie and the man were close enough to overhear.

“I think you’re gonna want to stick around for this,” he whispered. “I had to call JP, and he’s on his way over.”

Hearing his name aloud sent a chill down my spine.

JP King.

He was the man we had set out to find, but I hadn’t been prepared to face him yet—not after everything my sister had revealed in her letter.

My stomach bunched, hoping no one had discovered the real reason Teddy was asking for him.

“JP?” Sylvie scoffed as she looked at the firefighter. “Why in the world did you callhim?”

The man leaned in, but I could still discern the disbelief and concern laced in his voice. “Get this—the kid said JP’s hisdad.”

I blanched.

Oh, fuck.

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