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“Tomas and Café Renault,” Laurence said with a smile. He loved eating there, too. “Yes. Good. Paul wants you to eat well.”
I hooked arms with Laurence. “I’m gaining weight here. I won’t be able to fit my clothes.”
“Buy new clothes.” Laurence shrugged, and we laughed.
We passed a newsstand, and I frowned at the image I saw in the gossip magazine. There was a photo of Paul and me at the airport, but others were there. One of Paul nipping my neck on the balcony. Another of him squeezing my butt while smooching me outside the production office. We were becoming known as anaffaire passionnée,apassionate affair—even the Frenchthought we were in a scorching fling. I wanted to buy two. Laurence tutted when I bought it and took him with me into a bookshop to purchase a French-to-English dictionary.
“That stuff is garbage,” he complained. But on the ride, I read Linux had given Paul an ultimatum: herself or me. The writers had no idea how close to the truth they’d been. Paul’s production company had announced they’d parted ways amicably, though we both knew the truth. I didn’t like what happened, but I learned he worked in absolutes. If he left me, I’d never see him again. The thought made me feel miserable.
Thankfully, we quickly reached the café, and Tomas was already there. He hugged me in greeting. We took a table outside, with Laurence visiting one of his friends nearby to give me some privacy. Still, Tomas couldn’t help antagonizing Laurence with an extra kiss on my cheek.
“Paul still keeps you on a tight leash? Not that I’m surprised, but it seems that your disappearancedays agomade him lose his head.” He chuckled.
I was Paul’s possession, and he didn’t like to lose possessions, was more like it. But Tomas didn’t need that idea put in his head. He hadn’t really raised what Paul had said to him, and I was curious.
We ordered espressos with strawberry-and-tart crepes. Tomas ordered poached eggs and salmon, and I requested the same added to my order.
“Where do you put it?” He gestured down my body.
I smirked. “In my mouth, Tomas. I’m hungry. Did Paul lose his head?”
“I still can’t get over how Paul Crane interrogated me like some detective. He was so angry that I thought he’d break me in half, but now I understand. He has the madness of love. Only that could turn us into raving animals.”
I put on a grin. “Paul doesn’t love me.”He said he never would love again.
Tomas drew on his cigarette and blew out. “Fine. If not love, he’s falling in love with you. If not that, he’s sex-obsessed. But you’re driving him mad. Oh…”
My eyes filled with tears, and he squeezed my hand. “Sorry. Anything sets me off to tears lately. Forgive me.”
“He’s made you emotional. These are the ways of lovers. You’ve had many?”
I shook my head. “Paul is my only.”
He frowned. “The firsts are always intense. Paul should give you a lover. You need to grow and live more.”
I lowered my head. “I don’t want anyone else. I can’t even think of anyone else touching me. Just the thought makes me feel sick.”
He smiled. “It’s you who has fallen for him. Sorry, the first loves always hurt the most. I still believe you have potential as a designer and would benefit here. So I’ve submitted you to the internship program.”
“What? No. I can’t.” I frowned at him.
“You can. There are planes to visit home. You live in NYC. It’s not like you’re that close to your hometown there.” He waved his hands. “No more protests. Eat and make me hate Paul Crane more because he has a beautifulinnocentin love with him.”
I squinted at him. “Your wife loves you?”
He beamed. “Yes, we are still trapped in love’s madness. She told me to invite you over when you return to Paris. Are you leaving tonight?”
I sighed heavily. “No. We have Vitus Dupont’s birthday party at L’Arc. We’re flying home early tomorrow morning. Would you like to come to the party?”
“No,” he said in a flat tone. He laughed with me.
“Then this is goodbye?”
His brown eyes went soft. “This is until next time. I believe I’ll see you again.”
I smiled. Tomas had definitely become an unexpected friend, as well as an easy confidant far from home. I felt fortunate if I was honest. Despite the incessant flirting, he was a good man.
We exchanged every way to reach each other and ate our brunch. After a while, Laurence came over to remind me of my hair and makeup appointment back at the house.
