Chapter 24
Jaxson
Okay.I was dying to see her. So what? Sueme.
However, I also want to let her know that Gramps and I have decided to close the business. As the top client, she deserves toknow.
Was I expecting her to agree to go out to lunch withme?
Nope.
Yet, when she said yes, I gotta tell ya, I danced around my fucking house like Tom Cruise in that 1980s classic,Risky Business. Underwear, socks, and all. But instead of Bob Seger’sOld Time Rockand Rollblaring throughout the house, I rocked the hell outta Bruno Mars’sThat’s What I Like. You know, gotta add somerelevance.
After my dance party, I showered, slid into jeans, a slim-fitting white shirt, and cool suede Chelseaboots.
And now I’m here, atChateau De Grenelle, chillin’ on a bench in the lobby, waiting for Lauren to emerge from theelevator.
“Bonjour!” says Jules. He’s always so friendly tome.
“Hi, there. How’s itgoing?”
“Great.” He lifts his chin toward the direction of my car parked out front. “Nice Porsche. Is ityours?”
I nod and smile in admiration. “Yeah. I love it. She purrs like akitten.”
“Nice. I’ve always wanted a fancy sports car. Maybe some day.” He cocks his head as he surveys me from head to toe. “You look different. No more hat or darksunglasses?”
I chuckle. “You noticed. And no, I decided to ditch the hat and glasses and return to my more usualstyle.”
The elevatordingpulls my attention from Jules and our conversation. I jump up and make my way to the elevator, certain it’sLauren.
And itisher.
Euphoria spills into the atmosphere.Again.
“Hey,” I say, after I give myself a few seconds to catch my breath. I’m not able to keep my grin from growing.Sucker.
“Where are weheaded?”
“Somewhere within walking distance. The rain hasstopped.”
“For now,anyway.”
“You two have fun,” says Jules while he holds the doors open forus.
The sidewalks are damp, the rainfall from earlier this morning leaving the whole city doused. Paris is even sexier whenwet.
“Thanks for coming to lunch with me, Lauren. I realize you were probablybusy.”
Our hands collide and the tips of our fingers graze. I know that chill I just felt has nothing at all to do with the coolbreeze.
“Actually, I have done nothing work-related all day. Nothing. When you sent your series of text messages, I was curled up in bed, still very much in my PJs, fastasleep.”
I laugh, “So you’ve played hookythen?”
Without hesitation she replies, “Yup”—our hands collide again—“besides, I’m always game for lunch with afriend.”
Friend. The otherF-bomb.Ouch.
