“I can understand that. I’m pretty much the walking, talking definition of a mess.” I let out a small laugh and hoped my nerves and hurt feelings were adequately hidden inside my lies. “It would have been terrible timing for all of us.” I sat back up and tucked my feet under me on the couch. I waved at Calla. She waved back and babbled at me.

“Mom invited him to dinner tonight, but he said that would be too much pressure for you and Dylan,” Violet informed me.

“Ya think? You guys seem to have my life all planned for me. What do I do next, Violet?” I responded in my second language, sarcasm.

“Lily, please don’t be mad. We’re just trying to help.” She glanced at me before Calla twisted and pulled her hair again, adding levity to this conversation and preventing me from losing it completely.

“I’m not mad exactly. I just forgot.” I sighed and flopped back on the couch again. “I forgot what it’s like to be here in the thick of it with all of you. I forgot what it’s like to have you all in my business every day.” God, I think I’ve had at least three mood swings since I got here. I needed to get a handle on myself.

Dad laughed. “Lily-girl, we missed you. You’ve been gone a long time, and you’ll be the focus for a while. Your mom is very excited to have the kids every morning.” He glanced over at Violet before continuing. “Uh, Ash quit the firm at Portland and works for Luke now. The kids will be at the house for Dylan to play with.”

While it was nice that Dylan would have his cousins to play with, I guess I was not supposed to mind that my big brother Asher was working for my ex-fiancé? It was not supposed to bother me that my whole entire family had forgiven Luke for disappearing without a trace and ignoring all my letters and phone calls? I shook my head. This was unbelievable.

“Fine, Dad. I guess I’ll just sit back and wait for one of you to tell me what to do next.” I let out a bitter laugh.

“Please don’t be mad at us. When you see Luke again, you’ll understand why we forgave him,” Violet said.

I sighed. I didn’t want to see him again, but curiosity burned a hole in my heart all the same. I wasn’t ready for any of this.

“We’re all here for you,” Dad said.

“How am I going to tell Dylan that his birth father is here in town?” I said, letting my anger go. For now, anyway.