“I know.”

“And even if she does, that doesn’t mean you can be Sophie’s father.”

“I know that too.”

May studied him.

“Then maybe there’s hope for you.”

When June came home, Sophie placed a handwritten sign on the front door: NANA RESTING, EVERYBODY WHISPER.

Vincent obeyed it so faithfully that Sophie had to tell him he was allowed to laugh.

He did, quietly, while June pretended to sleep on the sofa.