“Very possibly.”
“How do you get the original out of the county office?” I ask.
“There’s only one way to do that,” Antony says as he displays that crazy grin once more. “You’d have to steal it.”
“Someone broke into the clerk’s office to steal adoption records and black out a birth certificate?” Nate asks. “Not just here, but on the west side, too? That seems like going to a lot of trouble. Why?”
“I can’t answer you there, boss.”
I don’t miss the two of them exchanging glances, and I’m about to open my mouth and ask why the west side clerk wouldn’t even look at me, but Nate speaks first.
“Let me know what you find with the hospital records,” Nate finally says.
Antony nods, picks up the folder, and leaves the small room. Nate takes my hand and leads me out to my car. I still want to ask him about the town’s division but first things first.
“You have no idea how much this means to me,” I say softly. “I’ve been in this office three times, and no one would help me at all!”
“I’ve taken care of that,” Nate says. “I’m sure if you need to come back, they’ll be a little more helpful now. Either way, I can always accompany you—Antony as well, if needed.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for all of this, really, Nate. I was about to give up hope.”
“Thanking me would be easy,” Nate says with a smile. He cups my face with his warm hands, kissing me briefly. “Come to dinner at my house Wednesday. That would be plenty thanks as far as I’m concerned.”
Thoughts of a west side and an east side are completely forgotten.
I glance away from him and try to swallow past the lump in my throat. I honestly don’t know if I want to meet Nate’s whole family at this point, and everyone at once! I don’t think I can handle it. I don’t know how to behave around rich people, and I’m sure to make a total fool out of myself, and then he won’t want to see me anymore.
“Maybe I could meet them one at a time,” I say. “I’m not sure I’m ready to meet your whole family.”
“Are you afraid they’ll bite?” Nate grins, and I shake my head.
I take a deep breath, trying to figure out how I can possibly let him down after everything he’s done for me today. Nate’s lips press against mine again, warming my mouth with his kiss. He moves from my lips to my jaw, kissing his way up to my ear.
“I’m the only one you have to worry about.”
I shudder as I feel his teeth on my earlobe.
“That’s not fair,” I say breathlessly.
“Not intended to be.” He pulls back, the hint of a smile still on his face. “It really would mean a lot to me, and you already know Antony. He’s as nutty as any of them.”
“I don’t know…” I can feel my resolve crumbling around me.
“Please?” He presses his lips to mine once more. “I really want you to be there.”
“All right, Nate.” I can’t fight it any more. “I would like to meet them, but all of this is happening kind of fast.”
“Fast? Is meeting my family such a big step?”
“Yes, it is. At least, it feels like it is.”
“Is it because of who we are?”
“Maybe a little.”
Nate pauses and looks out across the street, staring at nothing. He takes in a deep breath and then sighs heavily.
“I…I hoped you wouldn’t think of me like that,” he says quietly. “I don’t want that to be the first thing that comes to your mind.”