LITMIR.BIZ

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are no other relatives.”

      “Do you know the identity of the father?”

      “Lana never told anyone. I’m all she has.” Saying it aloud made it seem all the more terrifying.

      “I didn’t know Lana Fox had a sister.”

      “Half sister. We had the same mother. Different fathers.” Nameless, faceless men whom her mother had taken home after one of her nights of endless drinking.

      “I saw mention of her mother once. She was an alcoholic—” His voice tailed off as he saw her expression change. “I apologize. She was your mother, too.”

      “I’m not afraid of facts, and the facts were that my mother used to sleep with men when she was drunk and then face the consequences sober. She died a couple of years ago. Her liver decided it had been to one party too many.”

      “I don’t remember Lana Fox ever talking about her family in the press.”

      “She reinvented herself. We didn’t exactly have a fairy-tale childhood.”

      “Some fairy tales are pretty bad.” He stretched out his legs. “That woman in Cinderella was a real bitch.” It lightened the atmosphere, and a laugh bubbled up from her throat. “Yes. And then there was the queen in Snow White. She was a classic case of narcissistic personality disorder.”

      “Cruella de Vil was a serial killer.”

      “—of Dalmatians.”

      “True, but she demonstrated the same psychotic tendencies seen in other murderers. Lack of compassion and lack of remorse.”

      “Maybe my childhood was closer to a fairy tale than I thought.”

      “Too many elements missing. For a start, you didn’t find your prince.” He glanced at her left hand. “You’re single.”

      “Whenever I saw him climbing up the tower to my bedroom I gave him a push.”

      “Yeah? Just for my own interest and research, what was it that put you off?”

      “He was creepy.”

      “Right.” His smile faded. “So you and Lana weren’t close as children?”

      “I was the ugly sister.”

      “Given how manifestly wrong that description is, I assume it was hers.”

      “It wasn’t wrong. She was very beautiful.” Emily thought about the reality of her childhood. “And, no, we weren’t close. We were just people living under the same roof for a little while. It was a shock when they called me to say she’d named me guardian, but then I thought about it and realized there wasn’t anyone else. It was a decision made out of necessity, not choice.”

      “Did she leave you a letter?”

      “Nothing.”

      “So one minute you were living your life, a life in which you’d had no contact with your half sister since you were a teenager, and the next you were guardian to her child. That is a major life change. Were you working? What did you do with the math and economics you studied?”

      “Up until last month I was a management consultant. I worked for Taylor Hammond in New York.”

      He looked impressed. “That’s the big-time.”

      “They had a reorganization and there was no job for me in the new structure. I was interviewing for new jobs when I found out about Lizzy.” She clenched her hands in her lap. “Skylar would make some observation about how that was an indication that this was meant to be. How one day I’ll look back and be pleased this happened.”

      Ryan gave a low laugh. “Kirsti would probably say the same thing. She believes in fate. So, are you missing New York? You had a life there.”

      Emily wondered if what she’d had could really be described as a life. “I had a job and a boyfriend.”

      “So there was a prince. You pushed him down the tower with the others?”

      “He jumped. He got a look at the princess, decided she didn’t look like a good deal and got the hell out.” It helped to make a joke of it. “He dumped me a month ago.”

      “Not very princely behavior. And that was before Lizzy was on the scene. So it wasn’t because of the child?”

      “No.” She stared at the mess on the floor. “Not because of that.”

      “How long were you together?”

      “Three years. Two of which we lived together.”

      “Life really has dealt you a hand.” His gaze was steady. Sympathetic. “I just want you to know I’m here for rebound sex or revenge sex whenever you need it. Just say the word. Or just grab me and explain afterward, whatever works for you.”

      She wouldn’t have thought it possible to want to laugh at that moment, but she did. “Did you really just say that?”

      “I really did. Want to think about it?”

      The crazy thing was she had thought about it. What woman wouldn’t? Ryan Cooper was insanely attractive. If all you were looking for was a night you’d never forget, he’d be the perfect choice. “I’m trying to be a responsible parent figure. I’ve already lost the bear. I think being caught having sex on the kitchen table would be a major fail.”

      “Possibly. So, just to clarify—the only thing that’s stopping you is that your niece is asleep in the living room?”

      “I can’t believe I’m laughing. What is there to laugh about?”

      “In my experience laughing always helps. So, what’s your plan?”

      “I got myself here. So far, that’s it. I need to lie low while I work out what is best for Lizzy.”

      “And what about you?”

      Her mouth was dry. “What about me?”

      “You didn’t sign on for this. It wasn’t your choice.” Something about the way he said it made her wonder if there was more to his comment than an astute observation.

      “It wasn’t a choice for either of us.”

      “I presume you chose the name ‘Lizzy’ because you’re worried Juliet might draw attention.”

      “It’s not a common name, and right now it’s in the press a lot, so I thought it safer not to use it.”

      “Good decision. While the story is hot, the fewer people who make the connection, the better.”

      “But you know.” As the implications of that struck her, she had to force herself to breathe. “What are you going to do with the information? The media would pay good money for a photo of Lana’s child.”

      “Do I look like I need to sell a story to the media?” His mild tone coated layers of steel, and she squirmed because it seemed an uncharitable accusation, given he’d been nothing but helpful.

      “I’m sorry. That was inexcusable. But I don’t know you. And I don’t know her, either.”

      “You know she likes chocolate milk and waffles.”

      She gave a wan smile. “Small steps.”

      He stood up. “Life is made of small steps. Let’s start by clearing up the eggs before you slip. Breaking both your legs and knocking yourself unconscious isn’t going to make the future easier.”

      “The eggs were for tomorrow’s breakfast.”

      “I’ll bring you breakfast. I’ll be around at nine. Don’t leave the cottage until I get here. That’s the next twelve hours sorted. After that, we’ll plan the next twelve hours. You can get through a life like that.” With an

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