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I lean into his hand. His solid touch is proof I’m not dreaming. “You were scared?”

“I was terrified, Ava. I dedicated the last fourteen years of my life to finding Emily. My entire identity revolved around being a cop and solving crimes. Who was I if not a small-town detective?”

“And now?” Hope blooms in my chest.

“And now I’m not scared anymore. I’m curious and excited to find out who I am without the burden I put on myself. And I want to figure it out at your side—with you—if you’ll have me.”

I sob. I don’t know what to say.

He wipes my tears with his thumbs. “Please say yes, or it will be really awkward sitting next to you for the next ten hours.”

“Yes, oh my God, yes. I love you. I have loved you since the day you fished me out of the sea and saved my life—”

He kisses me then. Telling me with the touch of his lips and tongue how much he loves me.

The sound of someone clearing his throat interrupts us. The flight attendant leans closer. “Sorry, we are getting ready for takeoff and you need to put your seat belts on.” He then lowers his voice. “But as soon as we hit cruising altitude, feel free to lift the partition for some privacy.” He winks.

We sit back, and Jake holds my hand as the plane races down the runway and lifts off. “I have so many questions.”

He turns my way. “Ask away.”

“How did you know where to find me? And how long can you stay with me?”

“For your first question, the answer is Lynn.”

“That explains why she was acting weird this last week. She was asking me all kinds of questions about my flight and seat numbers and the dates of my flights.”

“Yes, she called me, said you were leaving for Greece, were staying there for three months, and I’d better get my ass in gear before you got away.”

I try to keep the disappointment that Lynn had to call him from showing on my face. He’s here, and that’s all that matters.

“I didn’t come because she called me. I had quit my job but had a few loose ends to tie up. Her calling gave me the chance to make plans to travel with you. I would have come either way.”

“You quit the police? What did Chief Malone say?”

“He said, ‘go get her’.”

I swallow the growing knot in my throat. Gosh, I hope I won’t spend the entire flight crying. “Jake, I love you, and I love that you’re here with me, but I hate that I made you quit your job—”

“Don’t. The only reason I became a cop was to find Emily, and you found her for me. Nothing is holding me to that job or that town. I’m glad to leave it all behind and start fresh with you.”

“Kojak! What about Kojak? And Hero?”

He smiles. “My mom has both of them.”

“She has Hero, too?”

“Hero retired as a police dog with honors, and I adopted him. My mom is divorcing her husband and living in my house now. She told me the truth about my real father. She said you told her she needed to tell me and I thank you for that.”

“Oh, Jake. I’m sorry I never said anything to you. I didn’t think it was my place, but she promised she’d tell you.”

“She did. And she located him, too. I met him.” Jake laughs. “I look exactly like him, down to the two-colored eyes. He’s never married or had other kids. After all these years, I think they are getting together again. And I thank you for that, too.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy for you, your mom, for your real dad.”

He nods. “We had a ceremony for Emily after you left. A proper burial. It was the closure I needed. And it gave my father—Emily’s father closure, too. He apologized and thanked me for finding her killer. But that was before Mom dumped his ass, so he’s probably blaming me for that now.” He laughs without humor.

“He may never have been a good father to you, but you were always a good son to him.”