I spin on my heel, ignoring the crowd that has gathered to witness this sad scene, and run out of the building, knowing I might never return.

CHAPTER 25

Once I turned off the “Are you still watching?” option on Netflix, time truly ceased to exist.

Armed with nothing but a remote and more snacks than I can count, I stay camped out on my couch for the rest of the night . . . and maybe even the next day.

Even though I no longer care about the store, I still sent a text to Daisy, asking her if she had time to watch over it. Not even a minute passed before she responded saying she’d be happy to. Her internship hasn’t been what she was hoping it would be and I think she is grateful to spend time at the store.

So now I’m free to mope on the couch for at least another week.

I’m on my phone, scrolling through the results of my “movies that make you cry” Google search, when it starts to vibrate in my hand. A vaguely familiar number pops onto the screen and I contemplate sending it to voice mail. But a part of me I don’t want to admit exists is begging me to answer, whispering treacherous thoughts like maybe it’s Jasper on the other end, calling for forgiveness.

I swipe my finger across the screen, the bright light illuminating my poor nail that has been chewed to the quick, and put it against my ear. “Hello?”

“Is this Ms. Young?” an unknown voice that definitely doesn’t belong to Jasper asks from the other end.

“This is. May I ask who’s calling?” I push through the disappointment and a sense of unease takes its place.

Nobody calls me Ms. Young.

“Of course, Ms. Young. This is Jacob Wilson, I was in charge of your grandmother’s will. I saw that you called and I’m so sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but—” He takes a deep breath and I hit the mute button on my remote. “Some things have arisen and it seems as though Andrew Young is intent on giving you a hard time. I know you have some questions and I was hoping we could schedule a time for you to come in and speak with me so we can clear everything up at once.”

My freaking father. Only he could take my lowest moment and bring me lower.

“Of course, when do you need me?”

“Sooner is better,” he says, not easing any of my worries. “We aren’t worried about Mr. Young’s claims, but there are some things I want you to be aware of so you can move past this as quickly and easily as possible.”

I would also like that, but considering nothing is ever quick and easy with my dad, my hopes are low.