# Chapter 17: The Phone Call That Changed Everything
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? I hope you're comfortable and ready, because today I'm going to walk with you through Chapter 17 of "The girl of his dreams" — and trust me, this is one of those chapters that will make your heart race, ache, and hope all at once. So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let's dive into this beautifully tense moment together.
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The chapter opens with a phone call that Aubrey has been both half-expecting and half-dreading — the kind of call that makes your stomach flip before you even answer. On the other end is Tessa Gregson, the woman who looks so uncannily like Aubrey that strangers have been doing double-takes for weeks. Tessa's voice is tentative, almost pleading, as she introduces herself and begs Aubrey not to hang up. And though every instinct tells Aubrey to flee, she stays on the line. Something deeper compels her to listen.
Tessa quickly clears the air about one thing — she is not calling on behalf of Jordan, the man who set this whole chaotic chain of events into motion. She's calling for herself, and for Aubrey, to confront the elephant in the room: the possibility that they might be related. That single word — *related* — hangs in the air between them like a fragile thread neither woman knows how to hold.
Aubrey admits the thought has crossed her mind too. She shares how people kept staring at her, how a nurse at the hospital was convinced she'd seen her before, how Jordan's friends did double-takes. It's all beginning to make a strange kind of sense. The conversation shifts, briefly, to Jordan himself — and here we get a deliciously candid moment. Aubrey doesn't mince words about his past or his reputation as a "manwhore," and Tessa, clearly uncomfortable but honest, admits Jordan was quite the ladies' man before he met Aubrey. Yet she firmly asserts that Jordan is now utterly devoted to Aubrey — something Aubrey herself doesn't deny, even if she's still furious with him.
Then the conversation takes a tender, painful turn. Tessa reveals that she's always been the one searching for answers about her past, unlike Aubrey, who was adopted as a baby and never felt the need to dig into her biological roots. Tessa's confession is raw: her mother died when she was sixteen, she never knew her father, and every attempt to trace her family history has led to a dead end — until she saw Aubrey. The resemblance between them isn't just coincidence; Tessa believes it's destiny nudging them toward the truth.
Aubrey, overwhelmed and nursing a worsening headache, admits she's curious but cautious. She insists on talking to her adoptive parents before going any further. It's a beautiful moment of loyalty and respect — a reminder that family isn't only about blood.
Then comes one of the most poignant parts of the chapter. Tessa opens up about her mother. A woman who was beautiful, brilliant, charming — but also bipolar, irresponsible, and deeply troubled. Tessa paints a heartbreaking picture: a childhood spent never knowing which version of her mother she'd wake up to, a happy gypsy or a woman too depressed to leave her bed. And then the tragedy — her mother died in a fire that consumed their apartment building in Tucson. Tessa wasn't home; she was at work. She never got the chance to save her. The grief in her voice is palpable, and Aubrey feels herself sinking into the sofa, shaken by the realization that this woman — this possible mother — might also have given birth to her.
Tessa speaks lovingly of her husband Ian, declaring that her life since meeting him has been a fairytale. And here, Tessa takes a moment to reassure Aubrey about Jordan. She sets the record straight: she and Jordan never dated, never had any intimate relationship. Jordan's crush was one-sided, flattering but never reciprocated. And she firmly believes that the moment Jordan met Aubrey, he forgot all about her. Yet she's careful not to defend him too much — she made a promise, and she keeps it. If Jordan wants Aubrey back, he'll have to do it on his own.
The two women agree: Aubrey will talk to her parents, and then decide what comes next. Tessa offers to fly to San Diego at a moment's notice, her gratitude almost heartbreakingly palpable.
And then — one of my favorite scenes in the entire chapter — Aubrey calls her parents. What follows is pure warmth. Lorena and Kurt are unfazed, supportive, and full of unexpected revelations. They knew Aubrey had a half-sibling, though they never learned if it was a boy or a girl. They even tried to adopt the other child so the siblings could stay together, but the birth mother refused. The story unfolds: Aubrey's birth mother was living in a shelter in Albuquerque when she was pregnant, repeatedly changing her mind about the adoption, and ultimately choosing to keep Tessa. When Kurt gently points out that their birth mother may have been pressured into giving Aubrey up due to her severe mental illness, it's a healing balm to Aubrey's oldest wound — the fear that she wasn't wanted.
And the surprises keep coming: Lorena's friend Ramona has a sister named Ines, a social worker who may have handled Aubrey's adoption case. There's a path forward now, a way to uncover the truth. Aubrey, teary but grateful, reaffirms her love for her real parents — the ones who raised her — and promises to pursue the answers.
The chapter closes in a quieter, more intimate setting: Tessa's home, with her husband Ian. Tessa is pacing nervously, worried about meeting Aubrey face to face. Ian wraps her in his arms, comforting, protective, and fiercely angry at Jordan for causing all this chaos. Tessa, ever the gentle peacemaker, defends Jordan a little, noting his insecurity and lack of experience with serious relationships. Ian warns her not to interfere — if Jordan and Aubrey are meant to be, they'll have to find their way back without help. The scene ends with a kiss, a glance at the watch, and Ian heading off to lunch as Tessa prepares to welcome Aubrey into her home.
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## My Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter is a masterclass in emotional layering. It's not just a conversation — it's a confession, a healing, and a beginning all at once. The contrast between Aubrey's fierce loyalty to her adoptive parents and Tessa's desperate search for answers creates a beautiful tension that keeps you glued to the page. My heart broke for Tessa when she described her mother's illness and the fire. And I absolutely loved how the chapter ended with Ian and Tessa — their love story is a quiet, steady anchor amid all the drama the author loves to stir up. If there's one small criticism, it's that Aubrey's anger at Jordan is mentioned but not deeply explored here — she's so focused on Tessa that Jordan fades into the background. But honestly? That's a smart narrative choice. This chapter needed to be about the sisters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
The next chapter is almost certainly going to bring Aubrey and Tessa face to face in San Diego. I predict an emotional, tearful reunion — but also some awkwardness, because meeting the woman who might be your half-sister is *huge*. I also think we'll get more insight from Ines, the social worker, and possibly a revelation about the birth mother that will either confirm their connection or complicate it. And you know what? I have a sneaking suspicion Jordan might show up — uninvited, desperate, and ready to grovel. Will Aubrey finally give him a chance to explain? Or is she still too hurt? Only the next chapter will tell.
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