ire

ed the kitchen as Oliver and I

His little face turned deadly se

syrup from his chin. "What

arge sheet of paper, smoothing it flat on the table. "My tea

n crayon. The left side of the branches was filled with names

the father's side-w

gest empty branch. His blue eyes looked up at me,

too thick to breathe. How was I supposed to explain to a

shaking. "Baby, some family trees just look a littl

oulders slumped. "But... Billy's

ing him so tightly he squeaked. "It doesn't matter.

a red crayon and drew a massive hea

nk space on the paper burned in m

an's house so I could get ready for the party.

stomach, the exhaustion around my eyes. I grabbed a simple, dark blue dress off the r

use. Cars lined the street for blocks. I parked my SUV, turned off t

abbed my purse, and forc

he smell of expensive barbecue filled the air. I kept my head down, navig

he patio doors and star

, clapping a tall man on the shoulder. Grace Turner, Nathan Bennett's

his broad shoulders perfectly. He had dark hair. He was nodding at somethi

from the Rebels. The man took a glass of champagne from a passing tray.

hiver ran down my spine, fr

The exact angle

was imp

so hard the leather creaked. I waited for him to turn around. I neede

oward the quieter side of the yar

ass in his hand

I saw h