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“She said she’s here to work, and she’ll get in touch with you when she gets back to the States.”
I should be relieved that she finally wants to talk to me, but I’m not. That means waiting indefinitely because the exhibit is still weeks away.
“Thanks for your help, Louis.”
“Anytime, Miles. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, and it’s none of my business, but I want you to know that I’m rooting for you.”
“Thanks, Louis. Please extend my greetings to Andrea and the kids.”
“Will do. Give my love to Ashlyn. Bye.”
I end the call with slumped shoulders. I really thought this would work and make her talk to me. My brain wants me to throw in the towel and forget about her, as it seems as if she has moved on, but my heart thinks otherwise.
Fight for her. You’ve waited this long to find love again. Will you give up at the slightest challenge?
Never! I love Giselle, and I will prove myself to her.
Over the next few days, my thoughts are all over the place as I think of my next course of action. I don’t think I can wait for her to return to New York before telling her how much she means to me. I drive out to the Hamptons where Ashlyn has been staying with my parents since the Christmas break began. Ashlyn surprised me when she asked after Giselle because she got her and Maddie gifts. I wanted to broach the subject of Giselle being in our lives, but as she has refused to talk to me, I decided to hold off on the discussion.
Ushering in the New Year with my parents and Ashlyn is amazing as usual, but I feel something different this time around. Giselle would have been here with us if I had played my cards right.
“I’m going to Paris,” I blurt out to my parents after Ashlyn has gone to bed.
“It’s about time,” my dad says, slapping me on the back in his usual jocular fashion.
“You don’t think it’s hasty? Desperate?”
“Desperate?” my mom interjects with a huff. “Your dad stopped me from telling you to go after her.”
“That’s because he had to come to that decision on his own,” my dad adds with a wide grin.
“Yes, but I was getting tired of him moping around like a lost puppy. It’s obvious you love this woman and want to be with her. I wondered how long it would take you to book a flight and go get her.”
I shrug. “I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
My father sighs. “Well, thank goodness you’ve finally come to your senses.”
My mom smiles brightly. “Follow your heart, my dear. We’ll take good care of Ashlyn. And don’t come back without your girl. I feel I already know her.”
I blink. “What do you mean?”
“Ashlyn can’t stop talking about her. She even painted a picture of the two of them dancing ballet together. I think, just like you, our darling Ashlyn is ready to have another woman in her life.”
Relief flows inside me at her words. Giselle made a great impact on Ashlyn that evening. She kept going on about her on the way home and the following day, but I thought that her interest would wane when she didn’t see her again. However, I know she and Maddie’s friendship had grown stronger.
The following morning, I finally broach the topic with Ashlyn in her bedroom while I’m combing her hair.
“Sugarplum, I’ll be traveling to Paris in a few days.”
“For work?”
“No. To see Giselle.”
She whirls around on the bed to look at me with excitement in her eyes.
“Can I come along?”
I gaze at her, startled by her question.
