Free Atonement (The Atonement Series) by Elle Chardou

tangible proof you’re siblings.”
    “You know what I mean.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re very exotic looking and very unique looking. Caitlyn is blonde, blue-eyed, porcelain-skinned and untouchable.”
    “Well, that comes down to genetics. We share the same father but her mother is English. Mine was a southerner from Louisiana. However, I never knew her as she died when I was young and Jeanette is my legal mother as she adopted me. However, Caitlyn is her biological daughter with my father.”
    That look of sympathy etched into his expressive eyes again. “It must have been devastating to lose your father. I mean, not so much because he was your only surviving biological parent but because of the way he was taken from you. Do you want to talk about it?”
    I grabbed a slice of salami and set it on top of a succulent piece of bread. “Not really—that’s what I pay your father for—and besides, it’s been a subject that has been talked about ad nauseum. I really do appreciate you wanting to know more about what happened but I would rather not. That’s what the trip is about. Losing myself and actually exploring and visiting other places. I suppose different places and restaurants that don’t remind me of him.”
    I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment. “Like this place. It was a family tradition to come here. I have tried almost every dish on the menu and I always remember my dad when I am here. I can still see us laugh and joke here with Jeanette looking on in an amused fashion while Caitlyn sneakily devoured most of the bread.”
    “Should I have chosen a different restaurant?”
    I shook my head. “No, I like it here.” I finally met his eyes. “We are having a small get together to celebrate our trip. Why don’t you come along and meet her for yourself. I can’t guarantee you she will be receptive to your charms but you never know, do you?”
    “Oh, she’ll be receptive to my charms all right,” he responded arrogantly.
    “Must be nice to be so sure of yourself,” I murmured in a snarky voice.
    “How do you think I got my reputation in the first place?” he inquired before he winked at me.
    I smiled before we both stared at each other and burst into laughter.

     

     
    “ THE COCKY ASSHOLE. He’s pretty sure of himself, isn’t he? Just because I like to flirt with men doesn’t mean I snog and shag every man who looks in my direction.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh out loud and realized I hadn’t laughed this much in a single day in a very long time.
    I’d stopped by my sister’s condo after putting in my notice at the half-way house and woman’s shelter. She lived downtown as well not far from Pike Place Market except she’d inherited her two-bedroom Cristalla condo from our parents’. They’d owned it since the building had first opened as it was supposed to be an investment property. Later, it was supposed to be a home Caitlyn and I could share until we got married or bought one another out.
    Caitlyn had officially “bought” me out after our father’s death and the insurance policy came through. She’d paid me fair market value and it was with that money I later purchased the townhouse I co-owned with Drew.
    My sister had always been a private person and preferred to live on her own. The second bedroom was her office and as she did not entertain very often, the space was utilized quite well with sparse elegant furniture but nothing flashy except for a very expensive yet ugly Jackson Pollock painting she’d inherited from our father. He’d offered it to me first but I wasn’t a fan of the work—Caitlyn found something hauntingly beautiful in the chaotic bush strokes that looked like they’d been designed by an overzealous three year old but I was happy she adored the painting and it was a constant reminder to her of our dearly departed father.
    “He just wants to meet you,” I began softly as she handed me a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
    “Yeah, they always do and