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“What note?”
Bernard sat up straighter and ran a hand over his face. “I left you a note with my name and number on the bedside table. I had to leave because there was a fire at work.”
“I didn’t see any note.”
Bernard blew out a breath. “That’s why you never called. If you never saw the note, you wouldn’t have been able to…”
I pursed my lips together. “Are you just saying all of this to try and save face?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look, I know it was only meant to be a one-night stand. I know that you and I weren’t meant to have anything more. You don’t have to make stuff up to make me feel better.”
“Rachel, I’m not making this up. Why would I? I could’ve just pretended not to recognize you when I saw you. It would’ve been easier for both of us this way.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Why didn’t I pretend I didn’t know who you were?”
I paused, then nodded.
Bernard exhaled, his expression turning wistful. “Because I wanted you to know it was me. I’ve spent the past five years wondering about what happened to you and why you never called me. I’ve never forgotten you, Rachel.”
“You—what?”
“I even went back to the restaurant where you worked, but they wouldn’t give me any information. Then they told me you quit, and I had no way of finding you afterward.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I went to the hotel afterward to look for you. I asked them for your information, but they wouldn’t give it to me. I even tried to tell them you had forgotten something important.”
Bernard blinked, and his lips lifted into the ghost of a smile. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who was trying.”
I gave him a half smile and reached for my drink. While I took a few sips, I eyed him over the rim, my mind reeling with information. Sitting across from Bernard in the half-empty café seemed surreal, like I was going to walk up alone in my bed any minute, turn over and see Ron’s sleeping form.
None of this felt real.
Not Bernard sitting across from me, looking like he’d won the lottery.
And not his apology, which I’d dreamt of for years.
All along, he’d been looking for me too, and I could hardly believe it.
“The job is still yours if you want it, Rachel,” Bernard continued after a lengthy pause. He pulled his plate towards him and ate a few of the fries before looking up at me. “I just need you to tell me one thing.”
I motioned for him to continue.
“I know you have a son. Is he mine?”
I froze, the spoon halfway to my lips. It fell to the table with a clatter as my breath hitched in my throat. “How did you know about my son?”
“I do my research when it comes to employees,” Bernard replied, his gaze moving away from my face and fixing on a spot over my shoulders. “I just need to know the truth, Rachel.”
Without warning, I pushed my chair back with a screech and jumped to my feet. “I—thank you for lunch, but I really have to go. I have some errands to run.”
Bernard pushed himself up to his feet. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“I know, but let’s talk about this later, okay? I really don’t have any more time.” I rummaged through my purse and pulled out a few crisp bills. “I’m not sure if you still want me as your housekeeper or not, so if you could let Mary get in touch with me, that would be great.”
Bernard shook his head at my money. “Lunch is my treat. I’ve got this.”
