A mischievous smile curved Monique’s red lips as she straightened one of Nadine’s braids and handed her a juice box. “Don’t let that sweet, innocent face fool you. Her nickname is the Tiny Terror of Laurelton. But she has my parents and Terry’s wrapped around those little fingers.”
“I’ll just bet.” He kneeled to Nadine’s level. “Hi. I’m a friend of your mommy.” One shy smile from her, and Tristan was lost.
He rose to his feet, and they walked, with Monique pushing the stroller.
“Still at Saks? Or are you going to be on the cover of Vogue one day?”
With close-cropped hair emphasizing sky-high cheekbones, and her tall, willowy figure, Monique St. Jean could’ve been a model. She had been a sales associate for a luxury handbag brand when Terry answered a shoplifting call, and they fell in love instantly. They’d married six months to the day they met, and Nadine was born a year later.
“Yep. I’m now the manager of the small leather goods concession there for my company.”
Even Tristan knew the name of the famous French designer Nadine worked for, and he was impressed. “Look at you. A superstar.”
“Hardly. Just doing the best I can. Day to day.” A dimple appeared in her cheek. “What’s new with you? Seeing anyone?”
He sighed. “No, nothing new on that account.” He waited for the inevitable.
“Can I ask you something?” She maneuvered around several rocks in the path.
“Anything.”
“How come you never wanted to date any of the women I tried to fix you up with?”
He met her steady brown gaze with a rueful smile. “Maybe I should’ve said something. I just…” He broke eye contact. “I don’t like talking about personal stuff with anyone. Even Terry didn’t know.”
Monique said nothing for several seconds. “You know it wouldn’t have mattered to him, and it doesn’t to me. I love you no matter who you love.” She stopped the stroller and hooked her arm in his. “Thank you for coming to see us.”
“Are you kidding? It’s the least I could do. I was afraid to call you.”
She squeezed his arm. “You shouldn’t ever be. Tell me how you’re doing.”
“Getting by, I guess.” He owed her so much, but first an apology. “I’m sorry I ran away. I should’ve been there for you and Nadine. I just…I couldn’t stand myself. Knowing I’d let Terry down.”
“Honey.” She stopped short and grabbed his hand. “You didn’t. You were partners, and it was always the risk you both took. Sometimes I think it was as much a marriage between the two of you as it was for Terry and me.Till death do you part, you know? I don’t blame you for what happened to Terry. At all.” She squeezed his fingers hard. “But you running away and shouldering the blame for it is not okay.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Youhaveto. Because it’s killing you inside. Have you seen anyone about this? A therapist?”
He choked out a laugh. “Yeah. My head was shrunk, and he told me exactly what you said: that it’s not my fault, just a horrible thing that happened, and that no one blames me.”
“All true.” Monique pulled the stroller to the side by the entrance to the penguin exhibit. “Worst of all, I miss you. And Nadine should know her godfather.”
Tristan gazed at the little girl. “You’re right. I promise not to disappear again.”
She hugged him. “I know you won’t because this time I’ll hunt you down.”
“You’re fierce. And I’m afraid.”
She kissed his cheek. “You should be.”
* * *
Two hours later, Tristan held Nadine on his shoulders as they walked from the zoo toward the carousel. The minute she took his hand, he was lost in her big brown eyes, and he sent a silent vow to Terry that he’d do anything to protect her and would never abandon her again.
“You’re going to spoil her to death, aren’t you?”
Monique walked by his side, carrying the big bag from the gift shop. Yeah, he might’ve gone a little crazy, but what else did he spend his money on, kale and watercress?
