Rachel’s expression softens. “I see.”
“And it’s not just that. She thinks I want her for the kids. To be a dad.” Rachel’s eyes widen in shock. Océane gasps. “If it was only that, or if it was only the serial dating thing on its own, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. But try to see it from her perspective.” I take a deep breath. “The guy I was friends with for my entire life cheated on her. She has seen me jump from woman to woman for ten years. And now she’s convinced I’m using her as a ticket to fatherhood. With all that working against me, I don’t blame her for not trusting me. Wouldn’t you, too?”
Rachel stays quiet for a moment, her silence hanging in the air like a held breath. Then, like a spring uncoiling, she surges towards me, enveloping my head against her chest in a swift, fierce embrace. Océane joins her almost instantly, pressing against my side with a gentle, comforting warmth. I close my eyes, surrendering to their sisterly affection. For a fleeting instant, it washes over me like a soothing balm, easing the ache in my heart. But only for one short moment.
“Okay. You did good, Will. Thank you for finally talking to us.” Rachel lets me go and sits in the chair facing mine. “We can figure this out.” Océane releases me next, but not before pressing a kiss on my forehead.
“What’s there to figure out?” I shrug my shoulders in defeat. The back of my throat burns. “Like I said, actions speak louder than words. I could earn her trust over time, but she’d have to trust me enough to let me get that chance in the first place.” I don’t know if that’s a risk she’s willing to take.
“Okay,” Rachel says, her voice now soft and soothing, back to normal. “So, let’s not focus on words, then.”
“Rachel’s right. Let’s focus on actions.” Océane strokes my arm in comfort.
“I don’t think Sophie is the type to fall for a grand gesture.” What Sophie needs is stability. She needs to feel loved for who she is—for all of her, and only her.
A spark of clarity ignites within me. All at once, I see the path forward. I pinch the bridge of my nose and shut my eyes, trying to focus.
Looking at it straight-on is painful. Taking this path will require a gut-wrenching sacrifice. But it might just give me a shot at winning Sophie’s trust once and for all.
“What’s wrong?” Rachel asks as she places a soft hand on my shoulder.
I straighten my back with resolve, looking deep into Océane’s eyes. If I can face her, I can face whatever comes next. “I know what I need to do.”
CHAPTER 37
SOPHIE
Ispot Tania’s forest-green bob before she sees me. Sitting on the park bench in front of the pond in Parc La Fontaine, her head is leaning forward, which probably means she’s checking out her cell phone. She’s wearing her usual attire of black leggings, a band T-shirt, and a black bomber jacket.
A second later, my pocket vibrates. I stop in my tracks and take out my phone, smiling when I see the message is from Tania, telling me where she is.
“Already see you,” I call out.
Tania jumps and turns around, her eyes bewildered. But she mellows out when she sees it’s me. “Geez, you scared me!”
“Sorry about that.” I park the stroller next to the bench and sit next to Tania. The wooden bench’s cool touch seeps through my jeans. Above us, the previously bright red and orange canopy is nearly half gone. Soon, every tree will be bare, and the first snowfall will be upon us. It’s easy to tell from the bite in the air.
November has firmly taken hold of the city.
I told Tania I wanted to meet here instead of at my house. For one, I know this is closer to her place. But I just needed to get out and breathe. There’s no better place for me to do that than the Plateau.
Tania peeks over to the stroller at Julian, who’s fast asleep and cozied up under several blankets. “He’s gotten so big.” She sighs. The last time she saw Julian was months ago. “He’s so beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I press my lips together, feeling the tension in the air.
She turns to face me again and leans against the back of the bench. “So.”
I repeat after her. “So.” I don’t even know where to start. I need to talk, but getting through to Tania has been so difficult, and she’s so behind on everything happening in my life. “I guess I need to catch you up on a few things.”
“Wait.” Tania wrings her hands together. I notice a new tattoo peeking out from her left sleeve, ending just at the edge of where her hand starts. It looks like a snake plant.
A pang hits my heart at the thought of Miguel. I recall how their apartment was always overrun with snake plants, a verdant jungle within the city. After he died, Tania tried her best to keep the plants alive, but her efforts were in vain; I’ve never seen anyone with such a grey thumb.
I’m guessing this tattoo is in Miguel’s honour. Yet, I didn’t know about it. Tania didn’t send me pictures or anything.
God, we’re so out of the loop with each other.
“Before you say anything, I have to say something to you,” she continues.
