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I breathe out a sigh of relief as I set the picture down on top of the washing machine.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know your mom’s picture was in there.” Laura rubs her face, and her shoulders slump forward. “I should’ve checked the pockets. I promise I won’t let that happen again, and we can get another picture of your mom.”

“I don’t need another picture of my mom,” I say, fanning the photo with my hand.

“Really, it’s no trouble. I’ll go look for one now.”

She moves to pass me, but I gently grab her arm. “I’m serious. I don’t need another picture of my mom. The only reason I needed this picture is because I’m trying to figure out who the other girl is.”

Laura looks at the photo closer. Her eyebrows pinch together. “I know her.”

“You do?” My mom grew up about four hours away, and from what I was told growing up, Laura’s family and myfamily didn’t do much together because of my mom and her bad habits.

Laura nods. “Yeah, she came with your mom to my graduation party.”

And here I thought Margo was the only one capable of finding clues. “What’s her name?”

Laura sighs. “I’m bad with names. I want to say Melissa, but I don’t think that’s right.” She scratches her head. “Raegan? No. It was definitely aMname. Melony?” She slaps a hand over her mouth. “It’s Meghan.”

“You’re sure?”

She nods. “I’m positive.”

“What about her last name?”

She sucks in a breath. “I don’t think I know it. Even if she did tell me what it was, it’s been so long that I doubt I’ll be able to remember it.”

It’s still more than I knew five seconds ago.

“Why are you curious?” she asks. “Do you have questions about your mom?”

I don’t think I can tell her about looking for my dad. Not yet anyway. I don’t know how she’ll react. What if she tells me to stop looking? I can’t risk it. “Yeah, I’m hoping she can clear some things up for me.”

She smiles. “That makes sense. Well, I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.”

“Thanks,” I say. Carefully, I pick up the photo and bring it back to my room. I set it down on the end table to dry out.

CHAPTER TWENTY

MARGO

Monday morning

“Do you have to work today?” I ask.

Annie nods, closing the car door behind her. “I work today and tomorrow.”

“Wow, two days in a row.”

She shrugs. “Well, I might’ve asked for a few extra shifts because I want to buy a new outfit for the concert.”

My jaw drops, and I round the car to catch up to her. “Tell me everything. Are we talking sparkles? Sequins? What about jewelry and makeup?”

She glares. “I don’t want to look like a clown.”

“Well, tell me what you have in mind then,” I say as we enter the school.

“There’s a cute white top with tulle sleeves that I want to get.”