Of course, Louis had been there, too. He’d been there for both of them.

God, he wished he could believe without needing the receipts.

“I wanted to make sure you’re really all right,” Louis said, concern in his eyes as he took the seat in front of his desk. “It felt like you were holding back something this morning. I was worried something happened that you didn’t want your mother to know about. Are you and Sylvie all right?”

The fact that Louis knew he’d held something back didn’t make him feel any better. “Sylvie and I are fine. We’re better than fine. We had a good afternoon, though we promise next time we’ll listen to you about the weather.”

“I didn’t think it would be as bad as it was or I would have argued harder,” Louis replied. “Your mother was very upset when you didn’t come home. She had no idea you were out with Sylvie. You have to tell her when you’re not going to keep a schedule. She worries. You can’t do that to her.”

The fact that Louis was lecturing him rankled. “I didn’t intend to not be home. I don’t typically call my mother to tell her what I’m doing all day. I certainly didn’t mean to worry her. The cell service is terrible out there, but after a couple of hours my battery died, so it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“The storm didn’t hit until almost five,” Louis pointed out. “Even if it hadn’t hit, you would have been late for dinner. You have to let her know these things. She’s lost a lot in the last couple of years.”

“I know exactly what she’s lost. I was there.” Rene felt the chill in his own tone, but he couldn’t force himself to warm up.

“Then you should know how fragile her life feels right now.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I had a long night. I was worried about you, too.”

“I didn’t mean to worry anyone.” And the truth was Louis was right about one thing. “I did lose track of time, but I tend to do that around Sylvie.”

Louis’s gaze softened. “You’ve been sweet on her since you were kids. There’s something special about having history with a woman.”

“Like you have with my mother.”