Page 141 of All We Need

This givesMartinsome relief and he looks at me with a gentle smile. “Ifhe calls, do you want me to tell him about you?”

As we’ve gotten to know each other,I’velearned thatMartinis very intuitive and mindful.Ourcoffee mornings always start with him asking howIam and, once assured, he relaxes.It’sno longer awkward or tense.

“There’s no use in waiting.”Ilean forward. “Ifyou get the opportunity, take the time to get to know him again.He’syour son above everything else.I’llunderstand and respect his decision if he doesn’t want to meet me.Isimply ask that you talk to him.Behonest.IfI’velearned anything in the last year, it’s that taking the jump is the hardest part, anything that comes after is easier when you have people who you trust surrounding you.”Myeyes drift toBooth, who’s already watching me intently.

Like me,Martinisn’t overly emotional.Sowhen he reaches over the coffee table to clasp my hand, that single touch tells me how much this means to him. “Ifhe’s as lucky asIam in getting to know you, he’ll be in awe of the wonderful woman you are.”

I squeeze his hand, breath seizing in my throat. “Thankyou.”

He glances at the clock and straightens. “Now,I’msure you two have better things to do than keep an old man company.I’llcall if there’s an update.”

Bundled in our coats,Martinwaves at us from the doorway as we walk toBooth’struck.We’reabout to climb in when the sound of tires rolling on gravel has us pausing, and we lookdown the driveway to find a red pickup trundling toward the house.Martinfrowns at the vehicle in confusion, clearly not expecting any more visitors.

When it parks up, a woman with dark skin and chocolate brown hair steps out.Shelooks shocked to see us, but she’s quick to smile when she spotsBooth. “Oh, it’s you!Twicein twenty-four hours.”

Usually keen to chat with anyone,Boothis eerily quiet.Hestares at me through the open door, mouth screwed tight.

The sound of another door opening has my attention drawn to the truck again.Thedriver’s side swings open, revealing a tall gentleman with dark hair.Hisshoulders drop as he slowly scans the snowy fields.Withhis gaze locked on the farmhouse, the air fogs in front of him as he releases a loud exhale.

Martin’s cheery smile evaporates, and his hand hovers midair.

I’m confused until the man turns our way and it all makes sense.

He raises a hand inBooth’sdirection, then smiles politely at me.MaybeIimagine it, butIswear his gaze flashes with recognition.Whichis impossible.I’ma stranger to this man.

A stranger to my biological father.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

alessandra

My hands shake uncontrollablyas we speed off the property and the farmhouse disappears in the rearview mirror.Aftera few minutes, a stuttered breath escapes me andBoothreaches across the console, weaving our fingers together.Corkscrewtrees and vast, snowy fields flash by as we return to town.

“Talk to me.”Thedeep timbre of his voice calms me.

“He didn’t know whoIwas, did he?”

Booth briefly takes his eyes off the road to glance at me, brows furrowed. “No.Idon’t think he did.”Hisfingers stroke over my racing pulse. “Howare you doing?”

My cheek rests against the seat asItwist toward him. “I’mokay,Iswear.Harveydidn’t look angry.Maybea little shaken.Itwas like his entire childhood flashed before him.AndMartin’sface…my god, he was frozen.”

We couldn’t stick around.Martinhad just laid eyes on his son for the first time in over thirty years, plus, he had some pretty life-altering news to share.

“Martin’s strong, he’ll know what to say, and hopefullyHarveywill listen.Whatdo we do now?”Boothslows the truck as we approach a stop sign.

“I need a distraction.Ineed work.There’snothingIcan do untilMartincalls.”Mygaze drops to our intertwined hands. “Ineed to finish prepping for my trip.”

His fingers flex against mine, giving away his dislike.TripimpliesI’llbe returning, but it’s easier than speaking the truth.Hissadness is hidden behind a wide grin and twinkling blue eyes. “Tothe restaurant it is, then.”

He flicks on the radio and sings out of tune the entire way back.Hisover-the-top performance is exactly whatIneed, allowing me to switch off and pretend, if only for a moment.

Right as we pull up outsideOurPlace, his phone rings with a call from the restaurant’s meat supplier.Afterlistening in for a couple of minutes, it’s clear there’s an issue with this weekend’s delivery.Ican tell he doesn’t want to leave me, but he can’t ignore his responsibilities—neither of us can.

“Go.”Ishoo him with my hands. “I’llbe fine.”

He frowns and presses the phone to his shoulder. “Idon’t have to go.Notif you do?—”

I silence him with a kiss and unbuckle my seat belt. “Youdo have to go.I’llcall if there’s any news.”

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