Finding Our Forever (Silver Springs #1)(50)

Cora did miss her family, although, once she got beyond that first night she’d been too caught up in adjusting to her new situation, fighting her attraction to Eli, making friends with Darci and feeling guilty for keeping her true identity a secret to get too homesick. “I’ve already been back to see them once. And I hear from them regularly.”

“You’re close to your parents, then?”

Cora hesitated before putting the glasses in the dishwasher along with the silverware. “Yes.” Otherwise, she wouldn’t feel so guilty for wanting to include her birth mother in her life.

“How’s your brother doing?”

“He’s been out of town. Claims he’s going to come see me when he gets back, but...he’s always busy. Keeps putting it off. So we’ll see. I’d love for you to meet him.” In a way, that was true even though Cora knew she’d probably never introduce them—not with the way things stood now.

“I’m looking forward to that.” She indicated the leftover carrot cake. “Any chance you’d like to take that home?”

Aiyana had obviously taken note of how much Cora had loved the dessert. “Sure. If you don’t want it or want to keep it for the boys.”

“We all get plenty of sweets as it is.”

A ruckus broke out in the living room—Eli and Gavin wrestling with their younger brothers, who’d been teasing and goading them to get them to do just that. The loud noise and the rattle of dishes and other furnishings caused Aiyana to roll her eyes. “Boys.”

“They seem to get along well,” Cora said.

“Every family has its moments, but for the most part, they’ve been very good to each other. They are all wonderful people.”

“They’re lucky to have you.”

Aiyana turned to face her wearing such an intense expression that Cora feared she’d given away too much with the longing in her voice. But when Aiyana spoke, she realized that Aiyana’s thoughts were moving in a different direction. “On the phone just after you came here, you mentioned wanting to become friends with Elijah.”

Cora swallowed with some difficulty. “Yes...”

“It appears the relationship has moved beyond friendship.”

Feeling on the spot, Cora could barely refrain from wringing her hands. Like most all of the students and staff, she loved Aiyana, didn’t want to displease her. “We are...we are dating, if that’s what you mean.”

“It’s serious?”

“We haven’t put a label on it. It’s too soon.”

“But you’re open to getting serious with him.”

When she flailed around, searching for the best answer, Aiyana dried her hands and moved closer. “I owe you an apology, Cora. This is none of my business, and Eli would be furious if he knew I was getting involved. It’s just that I’ve never seen him like this. His eyes follow you wherever you go, and I think I indicated on the phone that as tough and unreachable as he may seem, at times, his heart is so fragile...”

After clearing her throat, Cora met her gaze. “Well, I’m just as concerned for my own heart, if that tells you anything.”

Aiyana’s face creased into a big smile. “For you, it wasn’t quite as obvious to me, probably because I don’t know you as well. So... I’m glad I asked,” she said and pulled Cora into her arms for a warm embrace.

Cora breathed deeply, taking in the scent of her biological mother. She was hugging the woman who’d given her birth, a woman she was coming to love and respect more than she ever dreamed possible.

She probably hung on a little too long. When Aiyana tried to pull back, Cora couldn’t quite let her go, but she didn’t seem to mind. She kissed Cora’s cheek—and then Eli interrupted by poking his head into the room.

“What’s going on in here?” he asked.

Aiyana turned back to the dishes. “I just gave Cora the rest of the carrot cake, and she was thanking me.”

“You gave her all of it? No way! I get half,” he said, and later, once they were at his house, he decided to claim his share. But Cora didn’t mind, since he ate it off her body.

“Were you really hugging my mother because she gave you the cake?” he asked as he licked a final drop of frosting off her nipple.

She caught her breath as he made sure he’d gotten it all, wondering if now might be a good time to tell him who she was. He’d just given her the perfect intro—and yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it. What if their fledgling relationship couldn’t withstand the shock wave?

She didn’t want anything to come between them. Not only that, but Aiyana was so pleased they were together. Why risk ruining everyone’s current happiness when she had all year? “Yes.”

He dropped onto the bed beside her, seemingly sated and obviously tired. “Wow. You really like carrot cake.”

“I really like your mom,” she said softly.

“Doesn’t everybody?” He propped his head up with his hands. “What’s yours like?”

“She’s...different from Aiyana. Not quite so socially conscious, but she’s also a nice person. She did a great job raising me.”

“You don’t have any complaints about your childhood? The way you were talking at the restaurant, I thought maybe there’d been some problems.”