Until I Met You

‘Correction: you don’t tell me anything.’

Naomi’s smile grew even more indulgent. ‘Not true. I tell you everything that matters.’

‘Anyway,’ Jasmine continued. ‘Hugo wanted to work on his marriage on this trip. You recall him saying that, right, Sam?’

‘In passing … but I thought nothing of it.’ He’d tossed out the comment as if it were a punchline to a private joke. She hadn’t thought to ask why his marriage needed work in the first place.

‘Neither did I,’ Jasmine said. ‘And I probably shouldn’t be telling you this.’

‘You absolutely should,’ Naomi interjected. ‘Anthony and I have been speculating on this all week. We need a resolution.’

‘All week? Really?’ Samantha teased. ‘Didn’t you two have a wedding to plan, a life to envision?’

‘It’s not just them,’ Jen said. ‘Chris and I are invested in this, too.’

‘Is that all couples do?’ Samantha wondered.

‘You tell us,’ Naomi said. ‘You were in a couple just last week.’

‘She’s in a couple now,’ Jen said. ‘Don’t forget.’

‘Believe it or not, Roman and I don’t spend our time gossiping about other couples.’

‘We get it,’ Jen interrupted. ‘Don’t rub it in.’

‘Give it a few months,’ Jasmine said. ‘Jason has been hanging out with Adrian and he’s learned a thing or two. I’m only telling you guys because this is a circle of trust.’

‘It’s a semicircle,’ Maya said. ‘But go on.’

Samantha had learned a thing or two straight from Hugo. She wouldn’t betray his confidence, but she wasn’t opposed to hearing what Jasmine had to say.

‘Jason told Adrian that he and I haven’t nailed down where we want to live after the wedding: Montreal, Toronto or even England if Jason is asked to relocate.’

‘I’d love that!’ Samantha cried.

‘I know!’ Jasmine cried.

‘And then what?’ Maya asked.

‘It seems Adrian came prepared to deliver an ultimatum about the move to Weston. We assume he’s followed through on that and Hugo isn’t taking it well.’

‘An ultimatum?’ Jen cackled. ‘Like that ever works.’

‘Their condo is in his name,’ Jasmine explained. ‘And it looks like he’s prepared to sell.’

Jen sipped her tea. ‘I’d follow Chris anywhere.’

Naomi looked sharply at her. ‘It’s not just a change of address. It’s a complete change of lifestyle. They have to be on the same page.’

Something occurred to Samantha. ‘Adrian probably wants kids. Why else move to the suburbs?’

Naomi’s hand went to her lower belly, a gesture only Samantha caught.

‘The American Dream,’ Jen mused. ‘Two kids and a two-car garage. What’s the British version of that?’

‘Who knows?’ Naomi said. ‘A gin and tonic at the end of the day? We’re not fussy.’

‘I’m on Hugo’s side,’ Jasmine said. ‘Adrian can’t bully his way into starting a family.’