Faith had leaned in, utterly engrossed in the story, and he didn’t blame her.

“He dropped the bomb on his legitimate family, destroyed them, and yet his wife … Emma … was gracious enough to test her kids. Avery, the youngest, was a match, and she donated her bone marrow to my sister.”

Jason recalled those difficult days and sighed. “I guess you could say I was left with a bad taste in my mouth for relationships and issues with trust.” He also had a problem fearing that the people he loved would leave him, which stemmed from his father’s behavior as well.

“All the siblings have made their peace with each other. The girls are the closest but we’re all a family.”

“And your parents? What’s their story now?” Faith asked.

Jason scowled. “My father is currently in love with another woman and in the process of divorcing my mother. It’s been difficult,” he said, swirling the wine around in the glass. “My mother knew about his first wife. She got my father by cheating, not that she knew it when the relationship began. But now she’s losing him the same way.”

Faith glanced at him. “You really haven’t had the best example of a stable marriage or family, have you?” she murmured.

He shook his head. Although if he had to dig deep, he’d say that Levi’s death had impacted him far more as an adult than his father’s betrayal. “There’s so much more,” he admitted. “But I’m not really up to talking about it now,” he said, bracing himself for her to push harder for more information.

“I respect that,” she said gently. “Everything in its time.”

He blinked, shocked that she didn’t ask for more answers when he knew how curious she must be. Yet she respected his barriers, and for that he was grateful.

“Dinner!” Gino said, showing up just in time as far as Jason was concerned.

The enjoyed a delicious gnocchi along with their fried zucchini and homemade cannoli for dessert. By the time they’d finished eating, Faith finally looked like she was drooping where she sat, exhaustion beginning to catch up with her.

“Are you ready to go home and get some sleep?” he asked.

She nodded. “But I was wondering if we could stop by my apartment? I forgot to pick up some extra work shirts, and I’m too tired to wash and dry this one tonight.”

“Of course.” He’d get her in and out of there quickly, so she could go back to his place and get some sleep.

But when they arrived at her building and walked up the darkened stairway, they discovered her door had been taped up because someone had clearly kicked it open. The wood had splintered and there was yellow tape across the door.

“Oh my God!” Faith reached for one of the strips, obviously determined to get inside, but Jason grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back.

“Hang on. We have no idea what happened. Do you have a landlord?”