“What did you just say?” I asked.

“Alex is your cousin,” Charlotte repeated slowly.

The second time she said it, my heart stilled. I heard her for the first time. I just couldn’t believe what she was saying.

“Alex?” I asked. “My best friend Alex?”

They nodded their heads, again watching me as if I were about to bolt.

“Alex?” I repeated. “Redhead Alex?”

They nodded again and shared a ...