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A family
I’d always thoughtpeople ere connected to ut
“Look” Janet leaned forward, her lips pursing slightly I recognized her tone as one adults used when they were about to “get real” with the kids “I know this all seems scary and sudden, and I truly a your dad’s death But believe me, I’ve placed hundreds of children in foster homes and elsewhere, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt—the ones placed with family members almost always do better”
Her phone buzzed again, and her gaze flicked down and back up, interrupting the rhythm of her prepared speech Then her hand slid across the table to rest on mine
“You’re being given a gift here, Talia Take it”
Chapter 2
LAX was fuckingto catch their flights as I h the maze of bodies When I finally reached the pick-up area, I blinked as I stepped outside into bright, warm sunshine
“Talia,” a voice called
I glanced up as a woman climbed out of a sleek town car Her honey-brown hair was pulled up into a neat bun, not a single hair out of place She wore a dress that hugged her body, the fabric light blue and soft From a distance, she looked like she could be in her forties, though up close I could see the subtle signs of wrinkles and age
She must’ve had some work done, but it was subtle
I could pick out the resemblance between us easily Both of us were lithe and a bit on the taller side, with long legs and high cheekbones She gestured to the car, and a e and pop it into the trunk
It felt weird relinquishing s to him when I could’ve just as easily done it randparents ealthy, but everything about this woman, the car, and the silent man dressed in black screamed of affluence
“It’s nice to meet you I’m Jacqueline Hildebrand” She extended her hand to me daintily
I took it and shook, at a loss for words I wasn’t sure what I’d expected A hug? I honestly didn’t know if I wanted one, but shaking hands withblood relatives—felt weird as hell It feltfamily, and for a second, I debated whether I was supposed to shake her hand or kiss it
“Coht entyus back at the house”