Page 13 of Nobody's Girl

Dumbly, he nodded. “You love her,” Clemence continued. “Good. That’s good. Someone should love you, be loved by you. You’re a remarkable man, Ivo.”

“I hurt you, Clemmie.”

She nodded. “Yes, but in the end, you were right. We weren’t in love anymore. I have a new love now,” she smiled, running her hand over her belly, before her eyes turned serious again. “And you can be as involved as you like, Ivo. I have no expectations, or nor do I wish to wreck your life.”

Ivo reached out, asking permission with his eyes and Clemence nodded. He lay his palm against her belly. “A girl?”

She smiled. “I thought I would name her Peony.”

“Your favourite flower. That’s beautiful, Clem.”

“I’m glad you like it. I have a sonogram photo.” She dug around in her purse. “This was taken at about five months. The doctors said she was perfect so they didn’t need another one after that, although I tried to persuade them to do another. I’m so impatient, I want to meet her.”

Ivo smiled as she handed him the image. A jolt went through him as he stared at the sonogram of his daughter. “God, Clem…you see these on the television all the time, but when it’s yours…”

“I felt the exact same way. I wanted to come home to France to have her. I swear I’m not stalking you.”

Ivo laughed. “It never crossed my mind.” He handed the sonogram back, but Clem shook her head.

“Keep it, I have copies.”

“I want to be involved, Clem.”

She nodded. “And so, you shall be.” She smiled at him. “Ivo, I know you. You’re sitting there thinking of some grand gesture, asking me to marry you for the sake of our child. Please, don’t do it. I would have to say no. Us parting was for the best and now, especially, when I see the love you have for that young girl.”

“You got that from that brief encounter?”

Clem touched his face. “I was watching you for about ten minutes. You never, ever looked at me the way you looked at…?”

“Sofia.”

“At Sofia. Who is she? I’m interested to know.”

Ivo gave her the backstory and she nodded. “Yes, that sounds right, Ivo as white knight.”

He was a little stung. “I’m that predictable?”

Clemence grinned at him. “Yes. In that situation, yes. Well, man, what are you waiting for? Go get your girl.”

“It’s not that simple. She works for Desi now and I don’t want to compromise that. She’s young, twenty-one to my thirty-seven. And she’s been so hurt by others, I don’t think I could risk losing her trust for the sake of…”

“Happy ever after?”

Ivo sighed. “Well, when you put it like that.”

Clemence squeezed his hand. “Talk to the girl. Ask her to be honest about what she wants. Tell her what you want. Work it out. Don’t waste love, Ivo. Don’t be like your parents.”

Ivo was shocked. “What?”

“Look at them. Divorced and yet they spend every moment together.”

“They’re best friends, Clem.”

“And I get that…but why sleep around when they have that connection already there. I know your father is a man-whore but…”

Ivo chuckled. “Okay, okay. Look, I’d love for them to get back together officially, but it’s up to them. Clem, you weren’t there when they were married – they made each other miserable, being tied to each other.”

“And you are the exact opposite of them, Ivo.” Clemence leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’m staying at the George V, Ivo, and you can call me anytime. You won’t miss a moment of this baby, but for now, go, go get your girl.”