Page 82 of Find Me in California

She takes a steadying breath. “Do you remember our conversations?”

He freezes for a second before starting up again, moving to her other hand. “Pretty much.”

“So what were you hallucinating about while we were talking?”

His flush deepens.

“Were you fantasizing about having sex with—”

“Stop.”

“Jesus.” She looks away, face heated.

His touch softens on her arm. When she looks back at him, his expression is contemplative. “It was really for you. Those feelings I was having while I was ... they were for you. I—Never mind.” He stares at his fingers pressing into her forearm. “I’m not expecting anything from you if that’s what you’re worried about. Frankly, I’m wiped and just want to find a hotel and crash.”

Her arm is warm where he’s touching her. She wasn’t expecting anything from him either. But she is grateful he’s being open about his feelings despite not having a phone to hide behind. She wants to delve deeper into what he said, but he’s out of his seat and crossing thekitchen to where she dropped her bag on the floor. Peeking out the top is the Magnolia Blu journal she collected from Liza’s room earlier in the day, and the object of Matt’s interest.

“Is this the diary?” He picks up the book.

“You’re welcome to read the rest if you want.” She didn’t get the chance to read him Mama Rose’s last entry, or her more recent note to Liza, which he might find of interest.

“No, I think I’m good. No offense, but I’ve had about all the earth-shattering news I can handle today. Not sure I can take any more.”

“You pretty much know everything.” Other than that Matthew Holloway is her grandfather.

Best she hold on to that nugget since he’s already overwhelmed.

He fans through the pages, and a piece of paper drops to the ground.

“Except that.” Julia jumps from her chair to grab it. “It’s for you. Liza left it in the diary.”

He exchanges the diary for the letter, his complexion further waning. He really should eat soon. She glances at the timer and notices dinner is just about ready.

“She had the diary last night. I asked her to read the most recent passage.” Julia returns the diary to her bag and retrieves the hot mitts. Matt folds the letter and tucks it into the front pocket of his jeans. “You aren’t going to read it?” She’d be tearing through the letter if it were her.

He shakes his head. “Later. Not tonight. Do you, ah ... Do you have a photo of your grandmother from when she was younger? When she used to go by Magnolia Blu?”

“Yeah, one sec.” She turns off the timer and takes out the meat and veggies. Leaving the pork to rest, she leads him into the front room and grabs a framed photo off the bookshelf of her grandmother, arm in arm with a tall blonde woman. “Mama Rose has had this forever. She once told me the woman with her was an old friend she’s no longer in touch with. She looks like Liza, and now that I know the story, I believe it’sher. The color is faded, but look at the roses behind them. That must be her garden at her house.”

Matt makes a gruff sound and snags the frame from her. He stares at the photo and weaves on his feet.

“Oh.” Julia grabs his elbow the same instant he throws out a foot for balance.

“Did you show me this photo before?” he asks. Julia shakes her head. “Texted it to me? Emailed me?”

“No.”

“You swear?”

“I’ve never shown you that photo.”

He stares hard at the image.

“What is it?”

“It’s her.”

“Who?”

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