Please let something good happen to us.
3
Xavier
It had been four weeks since I’d read that letter from Lanie. Four weeks since I contacted my P.I. to get the information I needed to validate what she had written. It wasn’t an easy task. Adoptions were a slippery slope and Lanie was cautious. She’d done her best to keep it a secret. Her efforts were no match for my contacts and bank account. In the end, I got what I needed. Short of a DNA test, I was almost positive the little girl running around the park was mine. Now what? Did I walk up to them and introduce myself? I didn’t have the right to do that. I’d probably scare them away. What if her mother got a restraining order against me?
I did have options. I could have my attorney contact the woman and explain that I wasn’t informed about the child. I didn’t consent to the adoption. I could also walk away. The kid looked happy. She was at the park, running around and laughing. I could reevaluate the situation when she turned eighteen. Reach out to her and explain the circumstances. Could I go on for fourteen years knowing I had a daughter and not do anything about it? It was my responsibility to provide for her. Everything I’d worked so hard for should belong to her. I couldn’t stomach the thought of her thinking I’d abandoned her the way my own father had done to me. Not the same thing. Dr. Alvarez would be the first to point that out to me.
As I pondered my next move, I kept a safe distance. I didn’t want to be accused of being a stalker. I occasionally glanced down at my phone, pretending I belonged at the far side of the playground, observing Zoey running from the swing to the slide as her mother, Kara Cartwright, sat on a bench and watched her. The girl was tiny, like Lanie. I moved closer, wanting to get a better look. My guy had gotten pictures but I wanted to see her for myself. If I saw her, I could bring it all together in my head. I’d seen the adoption records. I read the hospital reports. Lanie was telling the truth. She’d had our child. But knowing about it and actually witnessing that child’s existence were two different animals. I wasn’t prepared for any of this and that bothered me. I was used to controlling every scenario in my life.
I lingered a few moments longer but now I had to go and decide how I wanted to move forward. I’d already crossed too many lines. Going about this situation the correct way was the best possible solution for everyone involved. Dr. Alvarez would be so proud of me.
As I turned to walk away, a purple ball rolled by my feet. As I bent down to pick it up, a little voice called out, “My ball!”
“Zoey!”
I turned just as her mother hopped off the bench and raced toward her. Before I could make my escape, I found myself smiling down at the sweetest face I’d ever seen. When she gazed up at me with her wide blue eyes, I noted they were the same shade as my own.
“I guess this is yours.” I handed her the ball.
“Zoey,” her mother said. “What do you say?”
“Thank you.” She took it from me as she continued to stare at me. “I’m Zoey Cartwright.”
You’re Zoey Trapp but that’s a story for another day.
“I’m sorry,” Kara said. “She’s got quite a kick.”
“I play soccer,” Zoey proudly told me.
“I can tell.” I nodded. “I used to play in college.”
“You did?” She took her mom’s hand. “What’s your name?”
“Xavier.” I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Zoey.”
“You too.” She looked up at her mom. “Can I shake his hand?”
“Sure.” Kara smiled at me. “We’re working on stranger danger.”
“That’s important.” I took her hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re very smart to ask your mom.”
“You don’t look like a stranger.” Zoey ran around me and her mother, kicking her ball toward the tree in front of us.
“She’s full of energy.” The woman extended her hand. “I’m Kara.”
“I’m Xavier Trapp but my friends call me X.” What am I doing?
“X?” Zoey asked. “Why?”
“My name begins with the letter X.”
“Oh.” She thought for a moment. “You can call me Z if you want.”
I laughed at this clever, little ball of fire. She was definitely my kid. After two minutes, I was certain what the DNA test would reveal. What have I set in motion? How could I fix this now?
“Can I go back on the swings?” Zoey hopped from one foot to the other.
“Sure, I’ll walk over with you,” Kara said.
“Can you come too, X?” Zoey grabbed my hand. “I can swing really high and I love the slide.”
“Zoey.” Kara seemed apprehensive and who could blame her? I am a stranger. One with an agenda. “Maybe X is busy.”
“I could stay for a few minutes.” I glanced down at Zoey’s small hand in mine and something inside me shifted. For a brief moment, I couldn’t help but believe I belonged here with them. “I’m developing some land a few blocks from here.” That’s not a lie. “I took a walk to get some air.” That’s a lie.
“Let’s go!” Zoey let go of my hand and headed for the swings.
This was a bad idea but I couldn’t stop it now. I needed to act casually and come up with a plan. I always formed a plan. That was why I was so successful. Then I heard John’s words coming back to haunt me...
What we’re talking about here isn’t a business transaction. You need to proceed with caution.
What was the harm in spending a few minutes getting to know them? I’d let my lawyer handle things going forward. She could explain how curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see Zoey for myself.
“What are you developing?” Kara broke my thought process.
“What?”
“You said you were developing land. Are you in construction?”
“Real estate.”
When we sat down on the bench in front of where Zoey was playing, I took my first real look at Kara. She was quite stunning in an understated way. She wore a navy blue dress that buttoned in the back. It accentuated her delicate curves, revealing a hint of cleavage. She must have come from the advertising agency she’d recently taken a job with. Canon Advertising. I’d worked with them in the past. Coincidence?
Her warm and inviting brown eyes drew me in as she asked about my business. Her soft-spoken voice complimented her calm demeanor. Her attention was never far from Zoey as she held a conversation with me.
“You sell houses?”
“No.” I smirked because I couldn’t possibly make the money I did selling houses.
“Oh, was that a stupid question?” She crossed her long, toned legs at her ankles as she rested her hands on her lap.
“Not at all.” When most people thought of real estate they thought of realtors. “I’m a real estate attorney but mostly I buy properties and rework them. Shopping centers, hotels, apartment complexes. I redevelop neighborhoods that I think have potential.”
“Do you live around here?”