There was no point in lying. “I was thinking about whether to take a gift. For her dads. Do you swap gifts on Thanksgiving?”
“Wow. Be careful, sister. You do not want to fall in deep with this one. She’ll be gone by the end of the year.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Sylvie shrugged. “I was mulling over the social graces of the situation. It’s a perfectly reasonable question.”
“Then why are you blushing?” Isa asked, smirking.
“Because it’s still unseasonably warm for November.” Sylvie gathered her bag. “I’d better hurry. Will you settle the bill for us? My treat next time.”
“Of course.”
Sylvie kissed Isa’s cheeks. Walking away, the second thoughts she’d been entertaining all week boomeranged between her ears. Why was she going to lunch with Ade and her folks? Was it going to be weird?
She twisted and turned through the city’s old town maze of streets. Christmas trees had started to appear suspended high in the air from tall buildings and at crossroads. She admired the precision of the red ribbons, tied at the ends of the branches. She loved this time of year, the coziness of the warm fires and the generous season of gift-giving. Sylvie had never experienced Thanksgiving but, weaving her way to the restaurant she’d helped Ade pick out, she channeled her most festive feelings for the occasion.
As she approached, she could see that the Poole family had already taken their places at the table by the window. Stephanie and Ade sat together, strikingly indistinguishable, except for the length of their fiery hair. Sylvie observed the scene for a moment, as if it were a large tableau at a gallery. The father figures appeared strong and heavy-set, protective of their offspring like the alpha males of the herd. One of them gazed lovingly at Ade and pulled her into an embrace. Ade appeared to freeze for a second, then she melted into the hug. Steph threw her head back in a hearty laugh that Sylvie couldn’t hear but that reverberated in the deep chambers of her fast-beating heart.
Ade’s demeanor softened in the family portrait. She maintained bold eye contact for longer than Sylvie had ever seen before. Her chin lifted higher, and her hands moved around as she spoke.
Smiling, unwilling to tear herself away, Sylvie hesitated a moment too long; Ade looked out the window, and her eyes fixed on Sylvie as if she’d called to her. Ade gave her a beaming smile, and Sylvie smiled in response. Her stomach flipped at the simplicity of their mirrored exchange. Why did it feel anything but ordinary? Unable to delay any longer, Sylvie strode through the doors and left her coat with the waiter.
“Hey, you.” Ade rose in her chair to deliver three kisses in a row. “Dad, Pops, this is my friend, Sylvie.”
“I understand that’s the accepted greeting in this part of France, Sylvie, but I hope you don’t mind something as reserved as a handshake.” The shorter man rose from the table first, extending his hand. “I’m Nate, Adelaide and Stephanie’s father.”
“Or as we like to call him, Dad.” Steph pulled Sylvie into a hug. “Good to see you again. We met so briefly at that church thing.”
“Nice to meet you, Sylvie. Ade’s been telling us a little about you and the work you do at the university.” The taller man smiled and opened his arms wide, every part of his being extending the warmest welcome around their family table. “I’m Sam, or as the girls call me, Pops.”
“I’m so pleased to meet you all. Welcome to France.” Sylvie took the only available space around the table and adjusted her cutlery. Nerves fluttered in her chest, and she sought out the wine waiter to fill her empty glass.
“We’re very pleased to be here. We couldn’t miss Thanksgiving with the girls,” Nate said.
“So we decided to make a huge trip of it.” Sam placed his hand over his husband’s. “We flew into London and had a couple of days there. From here, we’re going to Florence and Venice, and then we’re planning to travel for six weeks until we meet the girls for their birthday in January.”
“A grand tour?” Sylvie raised her glass. “What a wonderful idea.”
“Yep,” Sam said. “Plus, I have a big birthday coming up, and Nate always promised me a European vacation. We just never quite found the time before now. I’m even toying with the idea of finishing the trip somewhere warm and super indulgent. Maybe Morocco or somewhere.” He winked at Sylvie. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“See, we’ve done you a favor, Dad.” Steph tore off a piece of baguette. “Venice is on my list too. Any tips, Sylvie? Have you been?”
“I have, and it’s a wonderful city. Don’t go in the summer: too busy, and it stinks.”
Sam gave a belly laugh. “What do you mean?”
“The canals. They smell terrible in the summer months. It’s best avoided.”
“You okay there, Ade?” Sam focused on his other daughter, his brow furrowing.
“Sure.” Ade shifted in her seat.
She’d lost some of the ease that Sylvie had seen through the window. Sylvie touched Ade’s arm.
“I’m just taking it all in,” Ade said.
“So, tell me about your role at the university, Sylvie. Ade has given us scant details, but I want to hear more.” Nate placed his elbows on the white linen and interlocked his fingers.
Sylvie could see the resemblance between him and Ade in the slight twist of his smile and the furrow of his brow. But his hard outer shell was nothing like his daughter’s. She was soft and fragile, where he seemed bold and unbreakable.
