Seems like there’s no persuading him, because he’s already by the table, moving the bowls and chairs around. When he’s done, the two bowls and our chairs are now side by side instead of facing each other.
Karan pulls out my chair and gestures for me to sit. “Come on. Humour me, will you?”
I roll my eyes and make my way to my seat. “Okay, okay. But only because you worked so hard on this meal.”
Now, sitting at his side, I have to admit this seating arrangement works much better for me. We’ve still got hard things to talk about, but we no longer seem oceans apart.
Still. I eat my soup—which is insanely good—but all I can think about is the throbbing sensation that’s already back between my legs. Karan’s hand rests on my thigh while he eats, and the heat of it through my sweatpants is driving me nearly insane.
Karan always knew how to make me feel good. That was never an issue for us. But I’m still replaying the moment I came undone in my mind, obsessed with wanting to see him fall apart in the same way.
He’s the one to break the silence in between two spoonfuls of soup.
“So,” he starts, giving my thigh a light squeeze. “I know we still need to talk. I only want to acknowledge that I know I can’t cunnilingus my way out of this.”
I snort, a sudden burning sensation overtaking my nasal cavity as I begin to cough violently. Karan taps my back while I go through the coughing fit.
“Don’t make me laugh while I’m eating soup!” I utter at him, giving him a playful smack in his ribs.
“Sorry, Rach. I swear I wasn’t trying to make you laugh.” He’s pressing his lips together as if trying not to laugh himself. “But I meant what I said. I made you feel good to make you feel good, not to win an argument.”
“Well, it did stop me from leaving.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
“But you’re right.”
I know he’s right, but the thing is, I don’t want to fight. I’m so tired of it all. And now, blissed out by what Karan did to me, all I want is one night away from all the bullshit. I lean into him and close my eyes in a soft sigh.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow, okay?”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent.”
CHapter 29
Karan
April 2025
I’ve never been prouder of the work I do, but I’ve got to admit, it feels nice to take a break away from it all.
I swallow a bite of fluffy omelette and take in the sugar shack’s cozy, whimsical atmosphere. Tania’s family runs the place, and since she’s been friends with Sophie for quite a while, Sophie thought it was about time we meet her. That, and I truly needed to cross off “visit a sugar shack” from my bucket list.
Rachel, on the other hand, isn’t as excited as I am. She’s enjoying the food, but I would have expected her to hum along to the folk music playing in the background, or be a bit more chatty with all of her friends.
“So, you two are married?” Nolan asks me, pointing to me and Rachel.
A warm feeling of pride radiates from my chest.
“Yes,” I reply. “Married seven years, been together for fourteen.”
“That’s amazing. And you’re from Montréal too, or…”
“Oh, no. Well, Rachel grew up in Mascouche, which isn’t technically in the city, but for someone like me, it still counts.” I chuckle. “I’m from Val-d’Or.”
“Oh, wow.” Nolan raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Do you miss it sometimes?”
