Chapter 2

Tristan leaned in a bit, putting his hand on the railing. “Can’t sleep?”

With his hand on the door handle, the man looked over at him and smiled a little. “I just remembered Friday mornings are recycling day.”

“You remembered at three in the morning?” Tristan cracked a grin and reached his hand out. “I’m Tristan, by the way. Tristan Holt. Been meaning to come by and introduce myself.”

The man shook his hand over the bannister. His hand was warm, and his fingers, long and tapered. He had the hands of an artist. Or maybe a musician? “Hi,” he said, “I’m Rain Michaud.”

“Rain?” Tristan titled his head. How Interesting. “Spelled like the—well—the precipitation?”

Rain held his stare for a few seconds. “It’s short for Rainar. A play on Renardand Rainer.”

Renardwas the French word for fox.

“Nice,” Tristan said, affected by Rain’s eyes. This man was indeed a little fox.

“Thanks.” Rain glanced over at the park. “My parents were into original names, I guess.”

“So,” Tristan asked, wanting to keep the conversation going a little longer, “how are you settling in?”

“Pretty good. The park is a major bonus. Pip likes it.” Rain turned his eyes Tristan’s way again. Were they green or blue? He couldn’t tell in the dark. “Philip is my son’s name, but we call him Pip.”

Rain had said we. Weas in…my wife and I?

Tristan hadn’t spotted anybody else coming in or out of the apartment ever since Rain had moved in, but maybe his wife hadn’t joined them yet.

“It’s just such a big change from living in Otterburn Park,” Rain added quietly, crossing his smooth arms over his chest. He had such a tight little body under that tank top.

Tristan tried not to be flustered. “Otterburn Park? Yeah, that’s a big change.” Otterburn Park was a small city on Montreal’s south shore. Quaint and quiet. Nothing like Montreal. “What brought you and your son to the city?”

Rain’s features tensed a little. “I’m recently separated,” he said.

“Sorry. It’s not my business to ask.”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

“I’m just being neighborly. Well, you know, in other words, nosy and annoying.”

This time Rain laughed. “My sister says I’m paranoid. I think she may be right. I’m not used to living in such a busy city anymore. I mean, I used to live in Montreal. God, it seems like a million years ago.”

“And your ex-wife lives in Otterburn Park?” That wasn’t smooth at all, but Tristan was dying to know.

“Yes, my ex…husband stayed back there and kept the house.” Rain gave him a long look.

“Husband. Okay. Right. Cool.” Tristan leaned in a little closer. “Well, if you need anything; sugar, milk or, hey, even an egg. I’m right next door. All right?”

Rain laughed again. He had a quirky laugh that made Tristan smile. “Okay. Thanks, Trevor,” he said.

“Ouch. It’s Tristan.”

“Oh my God, so sorry.” Rain reached out and quickly touched Tristan’s forearm, sending a pleasant sensation through Tristan’s body. “I don’t know why I keep thinking your name is Trevor. So sorry. I thought that’s what my sister said your name was.”

“Wait, I know your sister?”

Rain let go of the door handle and turned to look at him. “I’m Faustina’s brother.”

Yes, now Tristan could see the resemblance. “She did mention having a brother a few times,” he said, “but never by name. So, you’re Faustina’s brother? How is she by the way? I haven’t seen her in months.”

Faustina owned the apartment Rain was now living in, but to Tristan’s knowledge, had never lived there herself. Instead, she rented it out and rarely visited, only showing up if there were repair costs to estimate or leases to renew. The last tenants had left three months ago, in June. The apartment had remained empty since then and Tristan had wondered what was going on. Faustina and he weren’t exactly friends, but he’d always enjoyed chatting with her whenever she’d dropped by.

“She left for Switzerland last month,” Rain said. “With her fiancé. She’s gonna finish her Ph.D. in urban planning over there, while he works.”

Tristan suddenly felt like an underachiever. “Your sister doesn’t mess around.”

“My sister is like a machine. If I had half of Faustina’s drive and guts, I’d be satisfied. She clearly got all the brains in the family.”

“And you clearly got the looks.” Oh, he was pushing it.

Rain’s eyes widened. “Thanks,” he sputtered.

Tristan knew he’d really taken a chance with that last line, but he was such a flirt and couldn’t help himself. It was in his nature to chase. What he did best. “She’s renting the place out to you?” he quickly asked, changing the subject. “That’s great. So, I guess your son’s going to that school right in the park?”

“Yes, he is.” Rain looked down at the door handle in his hand. “Well, I should check up on him,” he said, opening the door.