Page 112 of Fiery Romance

“My grandparents were looking everywhere for him and everyone was losing their minds. Eventually, the police found him and took him home. He was so embarrassed. Everyone in the neighborhood was watching, cop lights were flashing, cameras were out and recording. I think he really regretted running.”

“What did your grandparents do. Were they angry?”

“Oh no. My grandparents sat down with him and apologized. They asked him to share what he was feeling and he did. It turns out,” I glance at Abe, “that he felt invisible. He felt like my grandparents loved me more than him and that maybe nobody wanted him.”

Abe’s eyelashes flutter. “Maybe he was right.”

“No,” I say gently but firmly, “he was wrong. My grandparents gave me all their attention because I was the youngest and the only girl. They felt sorry for me. They also felt like they could understand my needs and meet them. But they didn’t know how to connect with my brother. In the end, he ended up feeling really hurt every time they gave me attention and didn’t give him any.”

His throat bobs. “Yeah, I could see how that would suck.”

“Suck is an understatement.”

He laughs a little.

Yes!

“Abe,” I say gently, going in for the kill, “sometimes, adults really suck at figuring out how to open the door between them and their kids, but it doesn’t mean they don’t want the door opened. It doesn’t mean they don’t care. It just means that if they have to choose between barging in or quietly waiting outside for an opening, they’ll wait. And they’ll wait as long as it takes. You’ll be surprised what happens if you open that door even a tiny bit.”

He pulls his lips into his mouth, clearly thinking about it.

I slow the car in front of his school.

“Bye, Abe!” Regan yells.

Abe gives his sister a sweet nod and then he glances at me. “Thanks for the ice cream.”

My lips arch. It’s not a ‘hey, Island, you’re the best and I totally don’t hate you anymore’.

But it’s a start.

“See you later, Abe.”

* * *

With Abeat school and my fan-girl mode on high alert, I speed over to the location that Nova sent.

The GPS leads me to a farmhouse set on a sprawling acreage. The design of the house is rustic and welcoming. There are a line of fancy SUVs out front. It’s like I’m pulling up to an exclusive country club.

I help Regan out of her car seat and float to the front door.

It bursts open before I can knock.

And there she is.

Vanya. Flipping. Beckford.

I keel over like it’s Oprah herself.

“Oh, careful. Careful.” Vanya says, taking Regan from me as if she’s her own daughter. And then she slips an arm around me for a hug. I press into her, hardly believing that I’m awake.

“Island, right?” Another voice says.

I don’t want to let go of Vanya, but I force myself to.

Behind the supermodel, a beautiful woman smiles at me. She’s small and dainty with skin darker than mine and sparkly black eyes. She’s wearing a pair of over-alls and has her hair in tight curls.

More faces show up. All shades of black. All stunning.

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