Page 90 of Find Me in California

“She wanted Matty’s child from the beginning. She wanted Aubrey to be his,” Matt says, wishing there were a more delicate way to put it. But he doesn’t want any more secrets.

Adam stares out the window, and Matt can only wonder what he’s thinking, how he’s feeling.

“I think she loved you,” Matt adds, recalling their relationship from Magnolia’s perspective and Elizabeth’s own words in the letter.

“I know she did,” Adam says, his voice far away. He blinks, snapping out of his trance, and turns back to Matt. He claps the armrests. “Well, you’re here now. I’m not sure I can ever forgive her, but it doesn’t mean I hold it against you. I always liked you, kid. Don’t know how much time I’ve got left, but I’d like us to keep in touch.”

Matt’s throat swells with emotion. He looks down at his hands. He’s gripping them so tight. He’s anxious, he’s nervous, and he’s scared this isn’t real. But facts are facts. Matt has relatives and, if he’s agreeable, family. He isn’t alone, not anymore. “I—I’d like that.”

Adam grins. “Good. That’s good. That makes me happy.” He leans in and drops a hand over Matt’s and gives it an optimistic shake. It takes everything in Matt not to lose his shit. He takes in a deep breath and lets the air out slowly.

“Me too,” he says tightly.

“Wonderful. You hungry? You must be thirsty. Shiv,” he bellows, then winks at Matt. “Nice to be the one getting catered to for once.”

Matt grins, highly suspecting Adam has been milking his convalescence.

Siobhan appears in the door. “What is it?”

“Two whiskeys. Neat.”

Siobhan’s face folds into a disgruntled frown. “You’re on meds. No alcohol.”

Adam blows a raspberry and says to Matt, “She’s no fun.”

“I can get Matt a whiskey. But you’re sticking with soda water.”

Adam groans and Matt laughs. It’s a great feeling. “Make that two waters.” Matt holds up two fingers.

“And pretzels. I want those super-salty ones,” Adam orders.

Siobhan rolls her eyes and leaves the room.

Adam turns to Matt. “Now tell me, young Matt, what the hell have you been up to since I last saw you?”

CHAPTER 43

JULIA

Julia comes home after a full day of spa appointments to Matt cooking in her kitchen. Her wrists ache, her thumbs are throbbing, and she wants nothing more than to take a hot bath and go to bed. Crying might be on tonight’s agenda too. But his presence, and whatever’s stewing on the stove, is unexpected.

“What are you doing here?”

As soon as she asks the question, she remembers their brief text exchange from this afternoon. He planned to stay in California another night and would get a hotel but wanted to make her dinner. Julia insisted he stay at her house again. Having lived paycheck to paycheck, she couldn’t justify the expense for anyone, not with a perfectly good guest room upstairs going unused. And she liked his company—him and their conversations. She accepted his dinner invite on the condition he use her guest room and told him where to find the key under the gnome with the chipped hat. Then she put her phone in the locker before he texted an answer and returned to her afternoon appointments. Matt’s invite slipped her mind.

“Making dinner,” he states the obvious at her surprise. “Thought it was the least I could do after what you did for me last night.” He smiles at her as he stirs whatever is inside the dutch oven pot, and sheglowers, irritation replacing her surprise. He’s too happy for someone who watched his grandmother die.

She drops her loaded bag on the counter with a loudthunk.

Matt’s smile falters. His stirring slows. “I hope this is okay. I texted I’d pick something up.”

“I missed it.” She hasn’t checked her phone since this afternoon. She feels guilty for slacking on calling the facilities on Lenore’s list. She’s also still reeling from her visit with her grandmother and what Mama Rose said about Lea coming back for her.

Her grandmother was delirious—Julia knows that. But there’s always some truth or history in everything she says and does. Whatever Mama Rose thinks and feels, one thing is clear to Julia: her grandmother has plenty of regrets. And it seems one of those has to do with her daughter, Lea.

“I can leave,” Matt says, picking up on her vibe. He turns off the burner flame.

“Why are you in such a good mood?” Julia plants her hands on her hips.

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