“Because you keep acting like I’m incapable of making decisions,” I say, my voice sharpening.
“Because right now, you are,” he says.
Vinn shifts slightly in his seat. Sofia watches us both, her eyes narrowing.
“I’m pregnant,” I say, leaning forward slightly. “Not incompetent.”
“And I’m responsible for that child,” Ray shoots back.
“You don’t get to control me because of it.”
“I’m not controlling you—”
“You dragged me here,” I cut in.
“Because you needed it,” he snaps.
The tension cracks wide open.
“Okay,” Sofia says suddenly, clapping her hands once.
Both of us stop. She looks between us, completely unimpressed.
“Before one of you throws a plate,” she says calmly, “why don’t you two,” she points between Ray and Vinn, ”go and get a drink.”
Vinn doesn’t hesitate, pushing to his feet. “Sounds like a great idea.”
Ray looks like he wants to argue. Then, he exhales sharply and pushes back his chair. “Fine.”
Sofia gestures towards the door. “Go. Both of you.”
Vinn grabs his jacket. Ray lingers for a second, his eyes flicking to me. Something unreadable passes between us. Then he turns and follows Vinn out, the door closes behind them and silence settles.
Sofia watches the door for a few seconds, like she’s making sure they won’t come back. Then she turns to me, lifting her glass.
“Well,” she says, “that went well.”
I huff out a quiet laugh, pushing my food around my plate. “It tends to get like that with Ray.”
She studies me for a moment then leans forward slightly. “Where do you plan to live?”
I shrug, keeping my eyes on my plate. “I’ve not really had time to think about it. Ray kind of pushed me into coming here but . . . I’d like to move away.”
Her brows lift. “Really? Wouldn’t it be handy to have Ray around? Shared parental duties and all that?” She smiles. “It’s hard work.”
“He’s so full-on,” I mutter. “And he hates me.”
Sofia’s expression shifts, confusion flickering across her face. “What makes you think that?”
I let out a breath, shaking my head. “You didn’t hear the things he said to me when Anika died. We went from happy to hate so fast, my head was spinning.”
She nods slowly. “He thought a lot of her,” she says. “That was always going to hit him hard. But if he hated you, do you really think you’d be sitting here right now? Living with him?”
“Like I said,” I reply, finally meeting her gaze, “he’s doing this because of the baby. If I wasn’t carrying his child, he wouldn’t have given me a second thought.”
Sofia leans back, crossing her legs. “When you weren’t around,” she says, “Ray wasn’t exactly thriving. He was drinking a lot. More than usual. Even Vinn was worried about him.”
I scoff softly. “Funny way of showing it.”