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Even if he didn't love me back, it wouldn't change how I felt. But that kiss meant something. I felt it all the way in my chest, in my muscles, in my bones.

True love was a thing, it wasn't just something made up in fairytales. Sometimes fate placed you in the right place at the right time. And for me, that's exactly what I believed happened.

Maybe I was naive, maybe I was just a stupid girl drunk on the first boy she had ever kissed. But that was far from what I felt.

I felt like love had pushed us together. I felt like love had been the guiding force that placed me in those woods to begin with.

Hitting the end of the trees, Birch untangled our fingers and smiled. “Let's keep this between us for now. I don't want my parents to freak out or anything.”

“Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'd hate for them to kick me out or something.”

“Exactly.” Leading the way through the yard, he glanced in the window. “Shit, I forgot about dinner.” Biting his lip he gave me a crooked look. “Let me do all the talking, I know how to handle my father.”

“Why? Is he really going to be that pissed?”

Shrugging his shoulder, his lips drew taut. “I guess that depends on who's here for dinner, and how it's going.” Gripping the handle, he pulled the door open as quietly as he could.

What the hell does that mean?

“You're late.” Nick gave us both an angry glare, flaring his nostrils. “And we have guests.”

There were two men at the table with his father. Both of the men were dressed to the nines in black suits, with a blue handkerchief puffing out from the breast pocket. Their hair was slicked back tight against their scalps, an angry scowl rested on both their faces.

“I'm sorry, we lost track of time.”

“You're sorry? You lost track of time? That's the best you could come up with?”

“Dad—”

“Don't.” Jerking an open palm into the air, he tilted his head. “Go upstairs, both of you. I don't want to see either of you the rest of the night.”

One of the men smirked, cupping his mouth with his hand. Whispering to Nick and the other man, he said, “Kids. . . I'd trade mine for yours any day. Ricki is doing five in the pen, something to be proud of right? Little shit has no idea how to keep a low profile, him and his big mouth.” All of them busted out with laughter, raising their glasses and clinking them together in some parental toast.

I had no idea what that man was talking about or why they all found it so funny. Following Birch to the stairs, I glanced over my shoulder one last time, pausing to look at the unknown men. There was a feeling in the air that made me uneasy, like it was a secret meeting and not a dinner for old friends.

Trying not to linger for too long, I watched them for a moment. The need to make sense of who they were and why they were here dressed like it was a fancy board meeting rattled my brain.

What are they talking about?

Quietly, the two of us made our way upstairs. Standing at my door, Birch rubbed a heavy hand over the back of his neck. “That wasn't too bad, things must be going well.”

“Who are those men?”

“Don't worry about them, they're just associates of my dad.”

Associates? Associates of what?

Maybe they're private detectives.

The thought made my heart skip with excitement. Nick had said the police had hit a dead end with my case, but he insisted that he would still work hard on it, and wouldn't give up. A fresh set of eyes could be just the thing we needed to find my family.

“Are they detectives? Do you think they're here to help find my family?”

Sighing, Birch's head drooped down, chin touching his chest. “I take it my dad hasn't told you yet.” Running a finger across the bottom of my chin, his eyes softened. “My dad told me the other day that he can't find your family, no one can. Not the police, not any of the detectives or organizations for missing children. I'm sorry, Cyprus, I know that's not what you want to hear. But he's going to let you live with us, he says you're a part of our family now anyway, you belong here.”

My heart tore open, spilling every piece of hope I had onto the floor. I watched my past seep into the carpet, disappearing as if it had never existed.

“Why didn't he tell me that? He said he wasn't giving up, why is he giving up?” Taking in heavy breaths, I held back the tears that tried to consume me.

“He doesn't want to give up, but there's nothing else he can do. He was suppose to tell you, I guess he was just waiting for the right time.” Reaching out, Birch held my hand. His eyes dimmed, burying the spark I had seen at the pond. He looked sorry for me, he looked like he wished he didn't have to tell me the bad news.

But there was never going to be a right time to tell me that. I wasn't going to have a future where my past became my present, not anymore. All my hopes and dreams, all my wishes on the countless falling stars I plucked from the sky would never be gifted.

My memories were gone. Whatever life I had lived wasn't returning. I didn't know my real name, I'd never know where I was born or how old I truly was. I couldn't remember the family that had forgotten me or what it was like to live under their roof.

Whoever I was before was gone.

My name was Cyprus now.

And my future was with this family.