“Well, I assume Ade’s told you I’m a professor of feminism.”
“She sure has. What an interesting area of research.” Sam unfolded his napkin into his lap.
“Are you published?” Nate asked, ripping a piece of bread in two and maintaining intense eye contact.
Sylvie sipped her red wine. “I am. Several times. I came toMontpellier to work on my fifth book.”
That earned a nod from Nate and a high-five from Sam.
“Good job. Nate here is also an academic. I don’t know if you could tell?” Sam poked his husband in the ribs. “He tends to take life pretty seriously.”
“As you can see, Sylvie, my family keeps me pretty grounded.” Nate smiled, a genuine warmth spread to his cheeks and eyes as he regarded the people around the table. “They don’t tend to let me get above my station.”
“What’s your field, Professor Poole?” She guessed at his title.
“Oh, there’s no need for formalities, please.” He held his palms up. “And either way, I’m not a Poole. We gave the girls Sam’s last name when they were born. I kept mine. It’s Ashford.”
“He’s into psychology and social habits. Not that you’d know. He can’t read a room that well.” Steph made a face at her dad and giggled into her wine glass.
“My daughters haven’t really ever paid attention when I explain what I do for a living. It’s nice to be lunching with a fellow academic.”
“Ade is working on her doctorate though.” Sylvie attempted to draw Ade into the conversation. “You two must love a late-night chat about the contrasts between the human and animal societies?”
Ade blinked, leaving Sylvie to fill in the gaps.
“Adelaide is more of a thinker than a talker. But we love her for it.” Nate leaned back as the entrées were brought to the table.
Sylvie had seen that part of Ade. But she’d also seen Ade light up with ideas about the world.
“She’s always been our little angel, haven’t you?” Sam cupped Ade’s chin, and she wriggled away. “Steph came out screaming the house down, but Adelaide had us a little worried.”
Sylvie had gathered the bare bones of this story from what Ade had already told her. But she was intrigued to hear it from her fathers’ perspective. She glanced at Ade for a hint of permission.
Ade raised her eyebrow. “See, I told you.”
“You must’ve been so worried,” Sylvie said.
“Oh, we were beside ourselves. I mean, Professor Control Freak over there doesn’t like to hand over the reins for many things at all.” Sam gestured at Nate. “And there we were, watching the birth of our daughters with our tongues tied and our hands behind our backs. It was twenty-four years ago, but it feels like yesterday when I think about it.”
“Me too.” Nate huffed. “Most stressful night of my life.”
“And you haven’t had a good night’s sleep since, hey, Dad?” Steph raised her glass in her own honor. “To me and Ady-baby.”
Sylvie chuckled. “Ady-baby?”
“They call me that because I’m the baby of the family.” Ade rolled her eyes. “I try to ignore them most of the time.”
“There’s no getting away from us.” Steph flashed a grin at Sylvie.
The twin thing was rather disconcerting. Steph had the same face as Ade, but she was so different in every other way.
“We just like to look after our little one, that’s all.” Sam put his arm around Ade and squeezed her shoulder.
“Thanks, Pops. I’m doing okay over here though.”
“What do you think, Sylvie? Is Ade doing well at the university?” Nate asked.
“Definitely. Her group of students is thriving, and she’s carved out quite a reputation at the lab.”
