Grampsblinks.
The clockticks.
I roll my shoulders to ease thetension.
All that’s missing is a bright light shining down on my face and a couple of detectives staring down atme.
“See, when I landed in Paris, all fascinated by the ambiance of actually being in France, I wandered aimlessly through the airport corridor, taking my time as I made my way to baggage claim. People were scrambling about, running to make their planes and some dude brushed my shoulder and when I spun back around, I bumped into her: this beautiful dark-haired woman with the most amazing blue eyes I’ve ever seen in mylife.”
Gramps and Nana exchange alook, then both turn their focus back tome.
“The two of us stood looking at each other in silence, and then she took off, dropping her scarf as she scurried away. I still have the scarf, by theway.”
Nana brings her hand to her heart, eyes glistening, as she tilts her head to the side, her lips parting into a grin. “Oh Jaxson. It’s like a scene fit for one of the books in my series of romancenovels.
“So, I thought I’d never see her again, untiltoday.”
“Did she recognize you? Did you tell her about the day at the airport?” Gramps asks, still tracing the rim of hisglass.
I shake my head. “Absolutely not, Gramps. For one, she was recovering from an embarrassing fall, where I played it off like I didn’t see that sweet a”—I clear my throat—“I mean her bottom. But more importantly, I don’t want her to know who I really am. I don’t wantanyoneto know who I am. I came to Paris to escape the celebrity-type life of Jaxson Malone. So I told her my name is JackMaloney.”
Nana giggles. “Jack Maloney? Okay…what if she recognizesyou?”
I shake me head. “That’s where this hat and my dark shades come in handy”—I rub the stubble growing on my face—“along with my new beard. Besides, since I’ve been here, no one has recognized me. I’m a nobody here, which is fine withme.”
I leave out the fact that Lauren’s assistant asked me if I was on a reality show. I don’t want to add more to this interrogation session, plus I had time to think about the incident while I was people-watching at the street café. Out of the many people that have seen me here in Paris, he is the only one who may have recognizedme. Even though I was equipped with the hat andshades.
Both Gramps and Nana flatten their lips and nod, proving two lovebirds can indeed act as though they are oneperson.
“And what do you think about taking over Chic Limos? Do I need to sell it? Or are yougame?”
Gramps’s inquiry leaves my mouth craving a glass of his vintagewine.
Am Igame?
Well, what else do I have going on inParis?
That’s right, a big fat nothing.Rienas they say inFrench.
“I’m here for you, Gramps. I will gladly take over the business, whenever you’re ready to cut thecord.”
A victory-laced squeal escapes Nana’s mouth as the two exchange giddyglances.
“Consider the cord cut. When we met with the realtor today, we were shown a spectacular space for Nana’s art gallery near the small villa we purchased in Marseille, a three-hour train ride fromhere.”
My eyes bug out as I slump into the back of the chair. “W-what aboutthishouse? The office spacehere? Heck, what aboutme?”
Sure, I can leave here, find a place on my own; I’ve got enough funds from the sale of the Porsche, residuals from a few TV shows I was in, and the money I made fromDate Me, Then Marry Me,as the star contestant, plus the doughWake Up AmericaandThe Scooppaid me for interviews. But this villa is starting to grow on me—it’s like a haven of peace. Lush.Private.
“We wantyouto stay here of course, Grandson.” Gramps says, shifting in his seat. “We wouldn’t think of getting rid of this place, it’s been home for us since we came back here to live twenty years ago. It’s all paid off now, of course, and while we truly love it here, we are ready to move south and enjoy yet another chapter in our lives. As our only grandchild, the plan was for you to inherit all of this anyway. Just think of this as an advanceinheritance.”
I allow myself to grin as I, once again, thread my fingers through my hair. “I-uh, I really don’t know what to say besides thank you, ofcourse.”
What else is there left to say? It’s an awful lot to takein.
Nana smiles, reaching across the table, placing the palm of her hand on the back of mine. “Jaxson, my dear, your grandpa and I have been dying for you to finally make it here to Paris. We were convinced once you saw it, lived it, breathed it, you’d fall head over heels in love with it. You didn’t need a petty show likeDate Me, Then Marry Meto find someone to fall in love with. I’m sure your forever gal is here…somewhere in Paris, just as eager to fall in love as youare.”
Her words pour over my heart like caramelsauce.
Thick. Rich.Sweet.
And when I think of someone here in Paris being my forever gal, the only face I see belongs to Icy HotPrincess.
