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“Miles! It’s been a while.”
“Indeed, it has. How’s Paris? How’s your mom?”
“She’s much better now that I’m with her.”
“Wonderful. How are Andrea and the kids?”
“They’re doing great. And Ashlyn?”
“She’s good too, growing up quickly. Listen, I’m calling to find out about a friend from the Met who is currently helping the Louvre with the upcoming Mayan exhibit.”
“Oh, you mean Mademoiselle Bartholomay?”
Relief floods me at his answer. Through him, I think I can get in touch with her.
“Yes,” I reply.
“She’s working with the events planner and the conservator group. Her office is close by. What do you need?”
Knowing I have to ask, I say, “What about a certain Pierre?”
“Pierre?” He chuckles. “There are many Pierres here, Miles.”
I groan inwardly. I don’t know the blasted man’s surname. Although Gabriel said I had nothing to worry about, I can’t help being anxious. He’s right there with her in Paris, and he also works at the Louvre. For him to have come to New York to try to win her back shows how determined he is. With her right under his nose, who knows the amount of pressure he might be putting on her? And he has more leverage than me, given that they used to be in a serious relationship.
“Miles?”
“Er . . . forget about the Pierre guy. I’ve been trying to reach Giselle unsuccessfully. I need to speak with her urgently. Do you think you can help me get in touch with her?”
“Sure. The Louvre will be closing for a few days for the New Year, but I’ll get the message to her before then.”
“Thanks, Louis. I owe you one.”
He laughs. “I’ll put it on your tab.”
After I end the call, I continue pacing the living room. The sitting duck feeling doesn’t feel good. I’ve never been one to allow life to happen to me. I take the bull by the horns and take my chances. Hopefully Giselle will agree to speak to me through Louis.
The following day in my office, I sit on pins and needles while I wait for my friend’s call. I get so distracted in my meetings that I have them rescheduled. I even tell my secretary to make whatever arrangements she likes for the annual end-of-year office party.
All I want is to hear Giselle’s sweet voice again. She has to hear me out. Life without her has been so empty that I wonder what I did to make myself happy before I met her. The feeling can’t be compared to when I lost Gwen, but the aching emptiness is the same.
I pick up Gwen and Ashlyn’s portrait on my desk and stare at it. Gwen made me extremely happy, and Ashlyn is a breath of fresh air, but I know it’s time to move on. I’ll definitely never forget my late wife, but Giselle coming into my life has healed the wound her death created, and I have a chance at love again.
For so long, I feared allowing a woman into my heart and my life, using Ashlyn as an excuse, so I wouldn’t get hurt again. But now, I know it will be okay. Giselle, from what her brother told me, although having faced heartbreak, has never given up on love.
My musing is interrupted by my ringing phone. My heart nearly stops when I see it’s Louis calling. I brace myself to hear Giselle’s voice again.
“Hey, Louis.” I fake a cheerfulness that I don’t feel because I’m so tense. I find it amazing because even trying to get Gwen to date me didn’t make me this nervous.
“Hi, Miles.”
A heavy frown instantly forms on my forehead at his less than jovial greeting. I brace myself for the worst.
“She doesn’t want to talk to me,” I remark to save him from the awkwardness he’s obviously feeling.
“Yeah. Something like that. She wasn’t happy that you contacted me.”
Damn!
