“Josephine.” She let out a sigh. “The point is. It didn’t matter because I had your father. The point was he would give up everything for me, the way I would for him. But if you’re asking me for my blessing because you want to give up your job for this Frenchman, then I’m afraid I’ll have to advise you to take a long moment.”

“Did you feel the same way about Nicolas?”

“No.”

“Then why did you marry him?”

“I was lonely. You know what it’s like at my age. Well you don’t, but it’s always better to be a part of a couple than be a single woman. Everyone is kind at first, but then you stop getting invited to things when you’re single and ready to date. And when it got to that stage, it was obvious I needed to settle down. Nicolas was … he was kind. A bit flashy. But kind. I know now he was telling me all the things I needed to hear to trust him, but I was sad, and lonely, and you were so lonely. And I thought if we felt like a complete family again then you would be happier.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes.

“Not that it was your fault, at all,” she hurried on. “It was me. All me. We—we had some good times, didn’t we? With Nicolas?”

“Yeah. I guess. We did.”

“Look, whatever is going on with you, I need you to know I want you to follow your heart. Even if it leads you to France. You know that would probably make your dad happier than anything.”

“Mom—”

“It would. He always wanted to go back and see if we could trace back his history. And don’t you worry about me.”

“Mom. I’m not leaving. I love Charleston. My friends are here. You’re here. I love my new job.”

“But you love him too.”

“Yes.” I blew out a breath. “So much. So much my heart feels too big for my chest. And when I thought it was over, I was … devastated. And now he’s here.”

“Josie? Really? He came for you?”

“Don’t get carried away, he came here to check on his yacht.”

“Did he bring his daughter?”

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Maybe not. But don’t you think maybe he was using the yacht as a reason to do what he really wanted to do?”