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“Again, because it’s delicious. Don’t knock it until you try it.”
“I guess I’ll just have to trust your judgment.”
I giggle peering up at him with nothing but love. “Damn straight.”
Chapter 42
Gabriel
We don’t end up in New York or Los Angeles, but Seattle. It’s a strategic move on our part. The weather is milder, the city’s by far more affordable, and there are plenty of good schools for Odette to attend.
I walk my daughter up the path toward her school, my hand giving her shoulder a gentle push as she clutches her pink Dora the Explorer backpack. It’s her first day, so I don’t blame her when she shoots me a hesitant look.
“What if I don’t make friends?” she asks in a small voice.
I crouch down and kiss her forehead. “I’m sure you will.”
“And you promise they speak French?”
I nod. “Yes, ma chérie, I promise. This is a French-immersion school. Do you know what that means?” Odette shakes her head. “It means they teach everything in French. You’ll be able to understand all your teachers and fellow classmates.”
My daughter gives me a hopeful smile, her nerves slowly starting to melt away. She gives me a big hug before turning toward the lady standing at the front door, her homeroom teacher, Mademoiselle Starling. She’s got wild brown curls and brilliant green eyes that stand out against her bright red and white polka dot dress. She extends her hand to me to shake.
“Mr. Williams,” she greets with a polite smile. “It’s lovely to finally meet you in person.”
“Lucas, please,” I insist. “Please, let me know if she needs anything. Her speech therapist says she’s come a long way but call me just in case. I believe my girlfriend forwarded the email with all our contact information?”
The teacher nods. “Yes. Michelle sent it over earlier this week. Don’t worry, Lucas. I’ll take good care of her.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Come along, my dear,” Mademoiselle Starling says, offering her hand to Odette. “Everyone’s very excited to meet you.”
“Bye, Papa!”
“I’ll see you later, ma chérie. Have fun and learn lots, alright?”
“Okay!”
I don’t leave until my daughter is safely inside the building. Once she disappears from view, I turn on my heels and head back to my car by the curb. I don’t head home, though. Instead, I drive downtown and park just outside a small café. It’s surprisingly busy, but I manage to snag myself a table on the patio. Not very many people are willing to sit outside because it isn’t very sunny, but it suits me just fine. A month and a half freezing my ass off in Bern at Christmas time has given me plenty of time to adjust to colder weather.
I feel a hand graze along my shoulder as a woman passes. She rounds the table and takes a seat directly across from me, flicking her light blonde hair over her shoulders. Her stomach is big and round, the baby she’s carrying officially five months along.
“Michelle,” I greet with a grin, taking her hand to kiss the back of her fingers.
Raquel smirks. “Lucas. How was dropping Odette off at school?”
“It was good. Fine.”
“Did you cry?”
“I’m not the kind of man who does, my love.”
“Not even a teeny tiny tear?”
I roll my eyes. “Isn’t your father supposed to be meeting us for lunch?”
“He texted earlier. Said he was still stuck in a meeting with his —er— business contact.”
