“Not really,” Madi says as Rémy wraps his arm around her and kisses her hair. “It’s just a one-hour time difference from London, and we never really adjusted.” She turns to Philippe. “Would you mind having our bags taken to our room? I want to spend some time with my best friend.” Her eyes shift to me. “And my brother.”
Nice save, sis.
“Of course,” Philippe says. “I will bring the key myself afterward.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Madi says. “We can stop by the front desk.”
“I insist,” Philippe says, his gaze moving to Siena. “Perhaps I can have a word with you then,madame?”
Siena’s eyes widen slightly, while my heart shrinks three sizes. “Of course,” she says as her cheeks go pink.
Philippe gives a little bow like we’re in Camelot’s court. Then he and the bellhop see to the suitcases.
When we get inside the cottage a couple minutes later, Madi’s gaze lands on the massive collection of wedding favor bags.
“Oh my gosh, are these the favors?” She walks over and picks one up while Siena’s thumbs fiddle nervously in front of her. “They look amazing! Is itfoie gras?”
“Yeah, it is. Is that okay?”
“Of course! It’s absolutely perfect.” Madi sets it on the table and surveys the rest of them. “They really look amazing.” She shakes her head in awe. “I can’t imagine how you managed to get all of this done.”
“It was Jack, really,” Siena says. “It was his idea to do the bags, and he stayed up really late last night cutting and tying ribbons, so they’d be finished for your arrival.”
Madi looks at me, almost like she’s seeing me for the first time.
“Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration,” I say, uncomfortable being looked at this way. “Siena hasn’t stopped working since she got here.”
Her face blanches a bit, and I silently curse myself for making her think about what happened during the short time shewasn’tworking. Clearly, it’s not a happy memory for her.
“Thank you so much,” Rémy says, looking between us. “We owe both of you. But now we’re here to help. Firstly, by making sure your whole suite isn’t taken up by wedding favors.”
Madi looks around. “Oh yeah. I hadn’t thought about the fact that you’ve both been staying in this place. Eesh. Have you been driving her absolutely crazy?” She cocks a brow at me.
I frown, pretending to think. “Was there another option?”
Madi comes over and gives me a side hug. “I’m just kidding. Thank you so much for helping. I’ve been worried about her overdoing it.”
“She is,” I say, feeling weirdly emotional with Madi’s arm around me and mine around her. It’s the most sibling-like gesture we’ve shared in a long time.
“Well, not anymore!” Madi says, letting go of me and walking over to Siena to take her by the hands. “You, my dear friend, need to take a break from the work. Relax a little and enjoy this slice of France.”
Siena studiously avoids my eye. Madi couldn’t be torturing her more if she tried.
“It seems”—Madi says significantly—“like Philippe is more than willing to provide that service.”
Siena rolls her eyes, but her cheeks go pink again. “There’s still a ton to do for the wedding.”
Madi waves aside the excuse. “We can divvy up the responsibilities to give you enough time for a date. Right?” She looks at me.
I don’t even hesitate, digging my heel into the charred remains of my heart and rubbing it into the floor. “Of course. Easy peasy.”
Siena looks at me. Maybe it’s because I’m transparent as a page protector, and she can tell hownoteasy peasy it is for me to take on more responsibility so Philippe can schmooze his way into her heart.
There’s a knock on the door, and the way Madi squeezes Siena’s hands tells me exactly who to expect on the other side.
20
SIENA
