Page 80 of Eleven of a Kind

I wanted nothing more than to ask him to come back to my apartment with me, but I couldn’t.

“I should get home,” he said. “Riley’s girlfriend is spending the weekend with us. Her mom went away and left her home all alone. Am I the only one who doesn’t think that’s okay?”

“No. If she were eighteen, maybe, but leaving a fifteen-year-old home alone for the weekend is not cool. You’re a good man for letting her stay with you.” I smiled.

He leaned over and pressed his lips against my forehead.

“And you’re a good woman.”

We both climbed off the picnic table and headed to our cars. I could still feel the feeling of his lips on my skin, and I knew what I had to do.

“Have a good night, Piper.”

“You too, Gabriel.”

I climbed into my car and watched him pull away. Taking my phone from my purse, I called Grace.

“Hello.”

“Grace, it’s Piper. I need your help with something.”

“Anything, Piper. What do you need?”

“I need you to help me find my father.”

“Text me his name and any other information you can give me. I’ll call you if I find something.”

“Thanks, Grace.”

I went home and took a hot bath. As I was soaking in the tub, thoughts of Gabriel circled around in my head as my heart raced. I loved him, and it scared me. I needed to heal and deal with my issues before I could be with him because it wouldn’t do either of us any good if I didn’t.

The following morning, Grace texted me, said she had some information, and asked if we could meet. I gave her my address and told her to come over.

“Hi.” I smiled when I opened the door.

“It’s good to see you.” Grace hugged me when she stepped inside.” I brought doughnuts.” She held up a small white box.

“I love doughnuts. I’ll make the coffee.”

I made us each a cup of coffee and set the cups on the table.

“Take a doughnut.” She grinned as she opened the box and took one out for herself. “Are you ready to hear what I found out?”

“Hold on.” I took a large bite of the chocolate-frosted doughnut. “Okay. Now I’m ready.”

She opened the folder she brought and pulled out a piece of paper.

“Your father, Jonathan Eric Primrose, lives in Seattle and is the CFO for a large insurance company. He—” she paused.

“He what, Grace?”

“He’s married to a woman named Victoria and has two children, twin girls who are fourteen.”

“He has children?” A sick feeling soared through me.

“Yeah. I’m sorry, Piper.”

“Wow.” I stood up from my chair as I could feel the anxiety rearing its ugly head. “He left me and went and had more kids?” I shouted.

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