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“Pardon. When I get excited or confused, I have a tendency to switch languages.”
“My daughter came back from her first trip to Paris and she’s speaking French, and looks like something out of a French movie. What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything to her. All I did was expose her to my culture.”
“And that’s what scares me.”
“I’m trying to follow you, but I don’t know what you’re…”
“When my daughter told me she finally got her dream job, I was excited. Then she told me who she was going to be working for. I did what any other mother would do. I went to the internet, but I couldn’t find out anything about you. Why is that?”
Oh crap! She and Gabriella are more alike than I had imagined. I refrained from making any kind of movement. If she is as observant as I suspect, she would quickly read something into the slightest body change. “What do you want to know?”
“Who are you? How did you get here? And, why my daughter?”
“Is that it?”
“What’s going to happen to my daughter once you’ve grown tired of playing with her?”
That question hurt the most. I am not playing with Gabriella. I have a very large and expensive diamond ring in my safe that would answer that question. “I do not appreciate being insulted.”
“Insulted?”
“Oui…yes, in a matter of four simple questions, you have accused me of constructing a very sophisticated plan of seduction that will end in breaking your daughter’s heart, and her losing her job. Not to mention you have concocted some nefarious preconceived idea of what kind of man I am, and that I am only interested in taking Gabriella’s virginity.”
“I apologize if I insulted you, that wasn’t my intention.”
“I’m not so sure it wasn’t.”
“And yet, you haven’t answered any of my questions.”
I wiped my mouth, folded my napkin and placed it on the table next to my plate. “I am the only child of Francois and Elizabeth Marchant. I was born in Paris. Because my mother is American, my family divided our time between France and the United States. I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford. I have never been married or engaged, and I do not have any children. Yes, I have been involved with a few women. However, that is in the past. I am dating your daughter because I like her. She is unlike any other woman I have ever met or been involved with. Her energy, honesty, compassion, zest for life and faith intrigue me. As for the details of our relationship, what goes on between Gabriella and myself, is none of yours or anyone else’s business. Not that it will assuage your concerns, I am not playing a game with your daughter. I am doing what any man with half a brain would do who met her. I am getting to know her.” I stood up and adjusted my jacket. “I would say it has been a pleasure. Unfortunately, the only thing that has been pleasant was the food. Thank you for lunch.” I started toward the door.
“So, how long have you been in love with my daughter?”
I stopped and turned around. She played her trump card, and asked the one question I wasn’t ready to answer.
* * *
vivian camille townsend
* * *
The way Phillippe read me answered every question I had about him and his relationship with Gabriella. As hard as it was for me to believe, this young man was in love with my daughter, and prepared to do something about it.
I was fine when it seemed like Gabby’s infatuation was one sided. But looking at the reaction on Phillippe’s face confirms what I have long suspected. This isn’t an infatuation, but love. Oh crap! What’s even worse, my sister might be right.
* * *
The End
About the Author
A California native, novelist Tracy Reed pushes the boundaries of her Christian foundation with her sometimes racy and often fiery tales.
After years of living in the Big Apple, this se
lf proclaimed New Yorker draws from the city's imagination, intrigue, and inspiration to cultivate characters and plot lines who breathe life to the words on every page.
