At the hospital
Catherine, what's going on?
Nothing, Lisa—why? What are you imagining?
I don't know, you're glowing, you can't stop smiling. It's nice to see you like that, but we'd gotten out of the habit.
Marc is back.
Marc is back. Okay—but I was still just at the point of that wedding evening you spent together, and then nothing.
He got back the night before last. I was still at his place when he arrived.
Were you waiting for him?
Not really, actually. I really wanted to leave him a tidy apartment and something to eat, so I got caught up in it—and then he opened the door.
He must have been surprised.
Very much so. And I was so happy to see him that I threw myself into his arms. He held me for a long time—I'd forgotten what that felt like.
Okay, I understand your smile better now.
Wait, that's not all. In the end, I stayed for dinner and the night, and we spent all of yesterday together.
Oh wow!!!! So you really do have reasons to dance down the hallways. That's great—if you're back together, I'm so happy for you.
Careful—no, we're not together. Nothing happened the other night. I don't want to rush things again and ruin everything. I missed him, I worried about him, I loved sleeping in his arms—but now I want to be sure of myself before committing again.
And what does he think about it?
First of all, he doesn't really have a choice—he's not going to force me—and he's ready to wait for me. We started a discussion yesterday that was a bit painful but necessary, about why the two of us fell apart.
You didn't blame him for everything, I hope?
No, not at all. Each of us shared our faults to understand where and why we drifted apart, even though deep down, we love each other.
So… how about a night out on Saturday, the four of us?
**********
Lisa is suggesting a dinner for the four of us on Saturday at a restaurant—does that sound good to you?
Yes, but…
But what?
Aren't you afraid it might feel a bit… "couple-y"?
No matter what it looks like—it's just about seeing friends who helped us reconnect.
Then I'm in, if it's okay with you.
Thank you, that makes me happy.
********
Saturday afternoon
Would you want to stay over tonight, if we get home late?
Uh… yes… why not. I thought maybe you'd go back to your parents' for the weekend.
No, I hadn't planned on it. Can I ask you a question?
Yes, of course—we probably hadn't quite finished saying everything the other day.
It's about Hugo…
Okay, I want you to know that I haven't seen him again or called him since the hospital, if that's what you're…
No, no, not at all… I'd just like to know… well… I don't really have the right to ask you this, but… what was it like with him?
What do you mean, what was it like?
Forget it, forget it, I shouldn't have brought him up!
Stop, Marc. We said we were laying everything out on the table, so if you have doubts or questions about something, go ahead. Hugo was actually one of my patients who was coming out of a complicated situation. I wasn't doing well, and he was the only one who made me laugh, so we started talking. I'd take my breaks in his room to get away from the others, and we laughed a lot. He later came back for a follow-up visit, and then we started going for coffee, then a restaurant, an exhibition, and little by little we grew closer.
And with him, what was it like then?
It was good, it was simple. I felt protected, soothed. My boss left around that time too, so everything seemed to slowly get better.
No, I meant… in bed.
Marc! What good is it going to do you to know that?
I don't know, but I can't stop thinking about it.
About what?
I'm sorry, it's like with Stephane—knowing that he saw your body and touched you, it makes me feel strange.
Marc, come on, that has nothing to do with Stephane, thankfully. What's going on?
It's stupid, I know, I'm ridiculous, but… before, there was only me who… well… only me who had touched you.
Okay, I see. Do you understand now what it must have felt like for me with Victoire or Bertille?
Yes, it's awful. I hate myself for thinking about it, but I'm scared now.
Scared of what?
Of comparison. If you preferred it with him or did things differently, I don't know. I'm afraid of what you might think of me now.
Well, that's definitely a guy thing—to compare. So you're telling me you compared the way you made love with me to the others, is that it?
No, not that. You can't really call it comparing, but you also asked me the question when we made love for the first time.
Yes, you did say that it wasn't the same making love when you're with someone you truly love.
Yes, I couldn't compare the purely sexual relationships I had with Victoire to what we had.
So I think you have the answer to your question.
It wasn't the same, right?
No, it couldn't be the same. It was indeed complicated to tell myself I was going to make love with someone other than you, but I wasn't in love with him. That's why I ended our relationship when I realized it. I couldn't be with him while I was thinking about you and waiting for it to feel the same as it did with you.
So, if I understand correctly, I'm the one you prefer!
Don't go bragging, please!
**********
Evening
I'm so happy to see you both.
Yeah, we hadn't managed to get together since your wedding. Tell us about your honeymoon.
She wore me out.
We're not asking for details, man!
No, that's not what I mean—she made me walk and walk and walk. I thought I'd never make it back. I even wondered if she actually wanted to be a widow for the inheritance.
What inheritance? Idiot! Honestly, the things one has to hear… But I admit it, we did walk a lot.
You didn't seriously think you'd go to the US and stay in your hotel room?
Look, I wouldn't have minded a few days, but madam had decided to see everything, taste everything, photograph everything, and buy everything.
You're exaggerating. Anyway, don't listen to him—he'll end up putting you off marriage.
We're not there yet.
Oh, speaking of which—so where are you at? Tell me!
I'm going to order the drinks at the bar—it'll be quicker…
I'll help you, Marc, wait.
Well then, it's just you and me left, old girl—you won't escape me. Spill it!
Well… nothing juicy, to be honest… we're in a sort of… getting-back-in-touch phase.
Go on?
Since he got back, we've been spending time together, talking a lot, laying things out.
Yeah, nothing thrilling.
We just slept together.
Ah! Still.
Slept—that's all. It was too late for me to drive home.
Hmm, disappointing! And now? Tonight?
Nothing planned. We're taking it step by step.
But… did you miss him? Did you think about him? Do you want more?
Yes, yes, and yes—but I also want to be careful. If it ended, it's because we didn't start on the right foot living together, so I don't want to make the same mistake again.
Yeah, but you're made for each other.
Here you go, ladies. Careful—I don't want to spill everything.
Well, you've had time to gossip—can we get back to a normal conversation now?
Oh, sweetheart, you got my favorite cocktail. I adore you!!
Cat', I got you some…
Oh, great, I haven't had that in ages—thank you!!
See! What did I tell you!