Chapter 1
Lily
The BMW 3 Series limps up the driveway, inching by on fumes. I check the address again. Yup, this is it.
I sign myself.
At least I made it to my destination before the poor car clunked out on me. My guardian angel must be exhausted after all the shit that's gone on in the past few days.
Trevor — freaking asshat — cut off my access to his credit cards as soon as he realized the car was gone. After everything I've been through with/for him, the least he could do was let me leave with my dignity in tact and a few dollars for gas and food. But nnnoooo...That's too much to ask of good old Trevor, the asshat.
Returning the engagement ring he bought me after finding out I was pregnant wasn’t enough humiliation for me. He had to add further insult to my injuries.
Anyway, I don’t want to think about my ex-boyfriend-slash-would-be-fiance right now. In the next five minutes, my life is about to change. In a big way.
I glance into the rearview mirror at my dishevelled appearance. My skin is pale. I look sickly. My eyes are puffy and red-rimmed from crying and the hair I spent two hours flat-ironing on Friday morning now looks like it would make a comfy home for a wounded bird. But aside from a quick dab of concealer and a swipe of lip gloss, there's nothing I can do about my appearance right this minute.
I grab my leather duffel and climb out of the driver's seat on wobbly legs. My skirt is embarrassingly wrinkled and I have sweat rings on my underarms. That's what I get for wearing this spring's trendiest white rayon on an impromptu long-haul road trip.
The sky still wears a purple-gray hue as the sun makes its sluggish ascent on this nippy late April morning. My heart thumps to the rhythm of my high heels cracking along the paved walkway. Bulbous flowers in an array of shades frame the path and the woven mat on the front stoop says 'Welcome'.
I sure hope I am.
I don't quite know how I'd react if a perfect stranger showed up on my doorstep in her red-bottom heels with a designer overnight bag and nowhere else to go.
But Rash-Decisions is my middle name so here goes...
I hit the bell and hear the tinny melody echo behind the door. A faint voice yells out. "I'm coming, I'm coming."
Goosebumps coat my skin as I wait an interminable moment before the door swings open.
A frazzled-looking blond stands at the door with a teary-eyed, snotty-nosed baby on her hip. She's petite just like I am but my hips are wider. My nose is broader, too. Hers is thin and straight.
But her hair is just as wild and unkempt as mine. Okay, looks like we have at least one thing in common right off the bat.
"Hello?" Her eyes scan my face before falling to my crumpled outfit, my overstuffed bag and my scuffed stilettos. "Uh, can I help you?"
She has gorgeous features. Huge chestnut eyes, high cheekbones, the longest lashes ever. But she could definitely use a good keratin treatment and maybe some balayage highlights.
Okay, Lily — not the time for a style analysis.
"Hi!" I say, much too chipper, much too enthusiastic. "Are you Grace?"
Her eyes narrow with suspicion. "Yes, I am."
The baby whines, leaning his head on his mommy's shoulder. A thought flutters into my mind - a little person will be clinging to me like that someday soon. I run my hand over my stomach and my heart clenches with equal parts awe and trepidation.
"This little cutie is your son?" I ask offering him a smile. The boy pitches a snotty sneeze and shoves his hand into the stretched-out neckline of Grace's ratty T-shirt.
She hitches a brow. "Who are you?" She pulls the child closer to her chest.
Great! She thinks I'm a predator!
The chapped corners of my lips burn from smiling so hard. "I'm Lily," I say, extending a hand.
I'm not sure that a handshake is the appropriate strategy for broaching this situation. But I don't have a script. I'm winging it here.
Her eyes fall on my bag again. "Look Lily, I don't mean to be rude but whatever you're selling, I'm sure I don't need."
"I'm not selling anything. I just need to talk –"
She shakes her head, backing away from the doorway. "My husband – estranged husband - bought us all the life insurance we'll ever need so..." She grips the edge of the door, readying to shut it.
The sound of an engine fills the air. Grace's eyes catch on something over my shoulder. I glance back to see a little, red VW Beetle pull up to the curb. A tall, blonde Marilyn Monroe lookalike jumps out, carrying a huge grocery bag with her.
"Sorry sorry sorry!" she calls out as she rushes across the driveway. "Got caught up in a conversation with Nancy and Delores in the checkout line. Couldn't get out of it." She offers me a wide smile as she zooms by me. "Hello!"
Faith. That must be Faith. God, she's pretty.
She kisses the baby tenderly on his cheek. "My Pooh Bear has the cold," she coos. "Don't worry. Aunty brought you treats." She drops the grocery bag and steals the baby out of his mother's arms.
Grace throws me another glance before grabbing the door again.
"Wait!" I yelp, not even trying to mask my desperation.
Annoyance spikes in her brown irises. Faith’s curious blue gaze fans over my face.
This isn't how I'd imagined having this conversation; me standing on the front stoop, Grace two seconds from slamming door in my face. But it's now or never.
The words stumble past the ball of anxiety in my throat. "I'm your sister. And I need somewhere to stay."