So while the possibility of a big change was tempting, it wasn’t going to happen. Feeling unusually dejected, Emma went back to work, forcing herself to concentrate on her existing job while trying not to think about the one Linc had offered her.

After delivering Simone to the birthday party with a gift bag in hand that they bought at Duane Reade, Grayson went back to Emma’s to deal with the flurry of text messages from his siblings about the situation with their father.

The consensus was divided down the middle with the four oldest—himself, Noah, Izzy and Vanessa—generally apathetic about wanting to help their father, while the younger four—Alison, Jackson, Henry and Sarah—were feeling much more generous. Of course, the younger ones had been less affected by their father’s abrupt exit from the family than their older siblings. While it had been traumatic for all of them, Henry and Sarah, in particular, were too young to remember how incredibly frightening it had been to briefly wonder how they would survive without their father’s income to support the family.

Following Linc’s advice, their mom had immediately hired a lawyer who made sure that Mike Coleman continued to provide financial support for his children, but he only sent exactly what he was required to and not one dime more. Grayson, Noah, Izzy and Vanessa had been forced to get nearly full-time jobs while they were still in high school to help keep the ship afloat.

He might be an asshole, Jackson said by text. But he’s still a human being. If we can help him, why wouldn’t we?

I can’t even believe he’d ask us to help him, Vanessa said.

It’s just DNA, Henry said. And besides, none of his siblings matched, so maybe we won’t either and all this will be for nothing.

Mom is enraged that he asked, Noah said. It was rare for him to contribute to the group discussions, mostly because he didn’t own a cell phone and had to catch up when he got to his computer. I got an earful today. Had to remind her that I’m not the one who thought it would be a good idea to ask us to get tested.

Who got tested and who didn’t? Sarah asked.

Everyone but Ally and Vanessa said they’d been tested. Both said they were still thinking about it.

Anyone heard anything? Jackson asked.

They said we’d only hear if we’re a match, Grayson said.

In other news, Izzy said, I heard from Uncle Linc today that he’s definitely going to ask all of us—Abbotts and Colemans—to model for the catalog. That ought to be a fun shoot.

A flurry of laughter emojis followed her text.

Grayson laughed, imagining the chaos of the eighteen of them modeling for the catalog.

I want the cover, Sarah said.

Always the diva, Henry replied.