When it’s done, Patrick comes back in.
I meet his gaze. “Everything okay?”
He nods. “They’ll call in the morning and we can go over what you need.”
“He wanted to be cremated and for us to have a funeral. There’s insurance …”
Patrick crosses the room and takes my hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “I’ll help you through it.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Mark inviting Patrick has turned out to be one of the biggest gifts he could give me because I’m not sure how to do this alone.
Not that I ever wanted to tell him that.
Even in death, Mark’s anticipating my needs.
“Me too. I’m so sorry for your loss.” He squats in front of the chair. “Anything you need, just tell me. That goes for Lauren and Sophie too. I’ll stay as long as I have to.”
“Thank you.”
“How about I clean up in here and get you three comfortable?”
I nod, but I feel nothing.
I’m aware I have to hold it together for Sophie’s sake, and to some extent, Lauren’s. It’s what Mark would have wanted.
But I have no idea how to do that.
26
CASSIE
The only thing I feel the day of the funeral is empty.
Mark taught me a lot about love. I learned that the human heart has the capacity for so much love; there’s space for both him and Patrick. He told me falling in love with him didn’t diminish what I felt for the father of my daughter.
I’m not brave enough yet to tell him he’s Sophie's father, though.
I know I have to—I’m sure he’ll be over the moon. But so much has happened, and I’m reluctant to explode the truce we have going.
It’s all a lot to deal with, but for today I’m setting it all aside to mourn the man who’s been my partner the past eight years.
A gentle tap on the door wakes me out of my thoughts.
“Come in.”
The door opens with a soft click and Patrick steps through. His presence is reassuring—when he’s here I cannearly forget the past. We’ve all been leaning on him heavily, but he’s taken it in his stride.
“I don’t want to rush you …”
“It’s time to go.”
He nods. “Sophie and Lauren have headed out to the car. I asked them to give you a minute.”
“Thank you.” I push myself off the bed and walk toward the door, meeting his gaze.
I’m so confused. After all this time, I never thought Patrick would be a part of my life. But something tells me he’s not about to walk away.
