Page 88 of Find Me in California

“Vinnie, hush,” a woman’s voice orders before a face appears in the glass to see who’s at the door. Matt gives her a little wave and the woman smiles. The dog continues to bark until the squirming ball of fur squeaks when the woman abruptly picks him up and tucks him under her arm like a football.

A bolt flips, the knob turns, and the door opens. The woman is tall, almost eye level with him. Her dark hair is streaked with gray, and thick black-framed glasses sit low on her nose. The flared loose pants and white tunic she wears make him think of an artist, or a writer. Then she smiles. It knocks the wind from him. It’s his mother’s smile.

“You must be Matt.”

“Yes,” he croaks, shifting his weight before schooling his expression into neutrality. “Yes, I am. Siobhan?” He called just an hour ago, and she didn’t hesitate to invite him over when he introduced himself by name, mentioned he was in town, and asked to visit Adam. She said without hesitation, “Can you come by this afternoon?”

The dog kicks its stubby legs to get to Matt. The woman’s laugh is flustered as she scolds the dog. “Vin. Quiet. Sorry about that. Siobhan. We spoke over the phone. Pleasure to meet you.” She takes Matt’s proffered hand.

“Likewise.”

“Please, come in.” Siobhan opens the door wider, inviting him into the open-concept home. “We’re glad you called. We didn’t know if you would.”

This shocks him. He’s an outlier in their family, his mother the product of a broken vow. But Matt still worked up the nerve to call. The worst Adam’s family could do was refuse to acknowledge they’re related. But he wants to hear the truth from Adam directly. Was Aubrey his daughter? He half expects Adam to deny it. It’s still possible Elizabeth lied. What was it she wrote?I’ve always loved stirring up drama.

Matt moves into the foyer and has to force himself not to stare at his mom’s half sister. Their coloring isn’t the least similar, but their smiles, and the little quirk of Siobhan’s hand when she sets the dog down and orders him to his bed, makes his heart palpitate. He feels like he’s watching the ghost of what his mom could have been had she had the chance to age. Vinnie trots through the living room and hops onto a leather couch covered in beach towels.

“That’s his couch,” Siobhan explains, closing the door behind them.

“I can see that.”

“How long are you in town for?”

“Not sure. I promise not to keep Adam long.”

“He’ll probably nod off while talking with you, but don’t let that keep you from coming back as often as you want. You’re family.” Matt is taken aback. Siobhan makes a face. “Was that too forward? I don’tmean to come on too strong, but we’re a close family, my sister and brothers and I.”

Matt slides his hands into his pockets. “How many do you have?”

“There are four of us. Five, I guess. I have two brothers and a sister, now a half sister. Or we did. I’m sorry about your mom.”

“It was a long time ago. I didn’t find out about Adam until yesterday. I don’t think my mom knew she had half siblings.”

“I mean no offense, but that was probably for the best. Dad had been married to our mom for almost forty years before she died. He worked for Liza Holloway our entire lives, but he never told Mom about his affair with her. And Liza never told him about Aubrey. We were all in the dark. He hasn’t mentioned it, but I have to believe he suspected something. How could he not? He practically raised her alongside her nanny.”

Matt’s shoulders lift to his ears. “I wouldn’t know. I lived there for eight years and he didn’t say anything to me about it.”

“I remember when you were there. We didn’t meet, but Dad mentioned you once in a while when I saw him. I know he liked you, but he also felt for you. Said you were a good kid who got a sour deal. You know how Liza can be.”

Matt’s mouth flattens. “She wasn’t a fan of me.”

“I loved her flair and the way she spoke. Very old Hollywood. Glamorous and rich. It was kind of cool when I was a kid. But she was a cold woman. Dad said she wasn’t always like that. She lost herself when she lost her husband, and even more so after Aubrey died. Once you left, she became a bit of a recluse. She stopped hosting guests. She stepped back from her charities, donating money rather than her time. She only put you down as her secondary because my dad practically browbeat her into agreeing.”

“Why me, though? We hadn’t been in touch.”

“You were her only living relative, and my dad is a happy-ever-after sort of guy. Family is important to him. Liza had lost touch with everyonebut him before she moved to Rosemont. I think he sort of hoped she’d come around and reach out to you.”

Siobhan’s voice takes on a benign note and she leans toward him as she says, “She only told Dad the truth about Aubrey last month. He just remembered it yesterday. There were a lot of phone calls going back and forth among us well into the night. We didn’t get much sleep with all the talk about you and your mom, and what we should do.”

“I’m surprised you’re okay that I’m here.”

“Full disclosure: I wasn’t happy when I first learned about your mom. None of us were. But we talked it out. It’s all good now.”

“What happened to your dad?” Matt only knows what Lenore shared.

“He was Liza’s primary financial and health power of attorney, and the only friend she had left. They met regularly over lunch at Rosemont. He’d tried talking her out of selling her place in Beverly Hills and swore she’d regret donating her estate. But she was adamant. You know how she could get.”

“I do.” He knew that firsthand.

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