Page 85 of A Simple Reminder

She holds a cup of coffee with a playful smile. “I made you some coffee—all black,” she says, her voice dipping into a mock-serious tone as she mimics my order.

A relieved chuckle rumbles from my chest, “Thank you.”

“I, um… I rummaged through your kitchen,” she says, glancing down, her voice a bit flustered. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made us some waffles. I thought you might be hungry when you woke up, and I wanted to thank you for yesterday. For coming with me to see my dad, for just…being there. Of course, you don’t have to eat waffles if you don’t want to,” she adds quickly, her eyes darting between me and the floor, clearly nervous. “I could make toasties, if that’s better? I know you love them and rightfully so it’s delicious and–”

“Waffles are perfect. Thank you.” I stop her before she can ramble on.

Her eyes brighten, a soft glitter lighting them up. “You’re welcome.”

We sit down to eat, the silence between us lighter than yesterday. My gaze keeps finding her, thoughts of last night circling, tangled with everything unspoken. The urge to break the quiet—to finally speak the truth—presses hard against my ribs. It wants out.

“We should talk.”

“We need to talk.” We speak in unison, both of us on the same page. I just hope we want to talk about the same subject.

I nod, gesturing for her to go first. “You first.”

She sets her fork down, the soft clang against her plate echoing in the room. The warmth from before is gone, replaced by a seriousness in her eyes that makes my chest tighten. This isn’t going to be easy.

“I need to know what happened at the club,” she says, her gaze piercing, unblinking. The club. Ten years ago. The night I lost her.

“I should’ve had this talk with you a long time ago,” she admits, her voice rough. “But…there was something stopping me.”

I hold her gaze, unflinching. “What was stopping you?”

Sophie hesitates, glancing away before finally meeting my eyes again. “It doesn’t matter right now,” she says quietly, “But that… Whatever was holding me back—it’s different now. And I think I just need to know the truth.” Her gaze is steady, but I can see the vulnerability there, the small fracture in her armor. I owe her my side of the story. I owe her everything.

So I tell her. Every last detail of that night, laying it all out, piece by piece. Ten years ago, I tried to explain, but she was locked on ending things, refusing to hear me out. And back then, I didn’t understand why. But now, after seeing her with her dad and listening to Aliyah tell me everything Sophie’s been through—the years of silence, the walls she’s built, the pain she’s carried—I finally understand. I understand why she never reached out, why she kept her distance, why fear has a hold on her heart.

But she has nothing to be afraid of with me. Not anymore. Not now.

THIRTY-FIVE

LIAM

TEN YEARS AGO

Red lights pulse across the club, cutting through the haze and painting the dance floor below in fiery streaks. Bodies move in sync with the pounding bass, energy radiating in waves. From where I stand, on one of the balconies in the private section, the chaos feels distant. Like I’m safe.

Sophie was supposed to be here with me tonight, celebrating the opening of my friend’s club—The Black Pearl. Yeah, he’sthatobsessed with a certain movie. But she had to stay back to study for a test on Monday. I didn’t push or nag her to come, even though every part of me wants to be next to her, to share this night with her. But her education and her future come first. Always.

Instead, I turned the evening into an opportunity—a business meeting. Well, more like the final step in securing a deal. Lucas is usually the one who charms the right investors and earns our Uncle Antoine’s approval, but this time, it’s my turn. I’ve been in talks with these two for months, and tonight could finally seal the deal. If everything goes as planned, I’ll prove to Lucas and ammo Antoine that I’m more than just the younger brother coasting by.

I want to exceed. I’m meant to thrive too. I want to be the person they turn to for advice, the one whose opinion carries weight. But as of now, I’m not that person. I know they love me, but respect? That’s a different story. In the business world, they don’t see me as their equal. Some days, it feels like they sent me to Barcelona to babysit the hotels, or to manage staff, even though that shouldn’t be my role. I’m not a general manager, and I’ve never wanted to be. They haven’t given me the chance to be like them, to thrive.

But I know I can be as charming and persuasive as Lucas. I know I have it in me to be as great a businessman as my uncle. They just have to give me a chance. And because it hasn’t happened yet, I’m taking it upon myself. I’m doing everything in my power to seal this deal. To prove I belong at the round table.

I glance at my watch; they’re half an hour late. I should be annoyed, but I’m not. I have nowhere else to be. Sinking into the plush leather sofa, I pull out my phone.

Me

I hope you’re studying hard so you’ll ace that test.

The response comes almost immediately, and a smile tugs at my lips.

Sunshine

It’s going… but I hate Design Project Management, and the teacher is so strict, the exam will probably be impossible.

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