Page 51 of Heart of The Night

I huffed out an exasperated sigh, reaching for a hand towel. ‘That’s the infuriating part – she’s unable to give a definite timeframe. A week, a month, it’s all contingent on her job.’ I finally faced him.

His brows furrowed in a scowl, anger igniting in his eyes. ‘A month? Is she oblivious to the magnitude of this situation? Tell her to book the next flight back. You need clarity on this matter.’

‘I broached that, but she’s hell-bent on seizing a major career opportunity. No plea could change her mind.’ I discarded the towel in a bin.

‘I can’t believe it,’ Andy said, his voice dripping with venom. ‘How staggeringly self-centred. Why on earth would she drop such news on you right before jetting off? She must have—’

‘Her plan was to tell me when she got back,’ I interrupted, ‘but a dress left behind at my place… expedited things.’

A brief silence descended between us.

‘Shit, Will.’ Andy huffed, raking a hand through his hair. ‘I really am so sorry.’

I sighed. ‘So am I.’

‘Of all people for this to happen to…’ He shook his head, disgust colouring his tone. ‘This world lacks any trace of fairness. That much is clear.’

I merely nodded.

‘What are you going to do if it’s yours?’

I leaned against the basin, kneading my aching temples. ‘That’s the question that’s been weighing on my mind the most. On the one hand, I feel an obligation toward the child – a responsibility to form some semblance of a relationship with Francesca. You know, for the child’s sake, to provide some likeness of a stable, nuclear family. I mean, there are plenty of arranged marriages that function, right? So it’s not outside the realm of possibility.’

Andy stared at me as though I had completely lost my mind. ‘And on the other hand?’

‘On the other hand, I also know myself well enough to realise that I wouldn’t be able to bear it. Being with Francesca for life – it would make me utterly miserable, and that wouldn’t bode well for the child. Above everything, I’m in love with somebody else. And the resentment I’d likely harbour toward Francesca for denying me the chance to be with her… It’s not the environment I want for my child.’ I let out another deep sigh, my chest tightening, making it hard to draw in the next breath. ‘So, the more I think about it, the more I lean toward co-parenting. I won’t couple up with Francesca, but I’ll be there for my child, always.’

‘Have you told Francesca this?’

‘Not yet.’ I glanced at my watch. ‘But we can discuss this later. Right now, we ought to return to our clients.’

Andy cringed. ‘Honestly, mate, you should consider taking the rest of the day off. I can handle things here. I’ll simply tell them you weren’t feeling well.’

I waved off his concern. ‘No need. I just experienced a momentary surge of panic. I’m better now.’

‘Will, you’re not a machine. It’s okay to take a day to gather yourself. I can’t even remember when you last took a sick day.’

I moved toward the exit, shaking my head. ‘I’ll be fine.’

11 | a gambit

WILLIAM

Rain fell like a metronome, setting a steady rhythm as Andy and I emerged from the warm embrace of the restaurant. Forewarned by the forecast, my umbrella was already on duty, while Andy was a duck caught off guard by the river’s sudden swell. He edged closer, seeking refuge under the dark, domed shelter, an action that lent us the air of a long-married couple as we navigated the wet pavement toward the Tube station.

‘Have you told anyone else?’ His question cut through the patter of raindrops.

I shook my head. There had been a chance to confide in Jason during our Tuesday gym session, but the thought of burdening him with the knowledge gave me pause. He would have to face Cara every day, aware that the man she was seeing could potentially be the father of another woman’s child. I trusted him, yes, but I couldn’t bring myself to lay that weight on him. I wanted to spare him from that pain.

‘Cara’s in the dark, then,’ Andy said.

I nodded, guilt carving its burden into my features. ‘Mentioning it seems a bit… premature.’

‘I agree,’ he said, squinting up at the black umbrella, its inadequate size leaving us to sacrifice a shoulder each to the rain.

‘Do you?’ My question emerged more as a statement. Andy was predictably self-preserving, after all.

‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘But I’m surprised you do.’ He cast me a sidelong glance, his brow creasing.

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