Her long lashes blinked rapidly and she said, “Please wait here for just a moment.”
Kimi and I pulled on our coats and admired each other’s nails, then Shanice came back bearing two large gift bags in the Luxe signature colors of Silver and Ocean Blue and handed one to each of us.
We thanked her profusely and I said I’d be sure to pass along to Scott how amazing our day had been and how helpful she’d been. She went pink all the way up to her scalp.
Kimi and I parted ways outside the front doors, after giving each other hugs and promises to get together again.
Chapter 24
Kimi let herself into the loft and saw Jack sitting on the couch, plucking at a guitar, looking mopey. She shimmied a happy dance and he looked up at her, almost sullen.
“Jack, who’s your favorite girl?”
“Eve,” he answered instantly.
Sighing, she said, “And who’s your favorite girl that you don’t want to sleep with?”
“My sister.”
“Ok, fine. Your favorite girl that you’re not related to that you don’t want to sleep with?”
“That would be you, Kimi. Why are you looking so pleased with yourself?”
“I’ve got the answer you want to hear, Jack. How to save things with Eve.”
He set the guitar aside and sat up quickly. “What? What did you find out?”
She sat on the other side of the guitar and walked her fingers up the strings, drawing out the suspense. “It’s really simple, Jack. You already have her.”
“Kimi, she drop-kicked me into the friend zone. I don’t remotely have her.”
“No, doofus, you did that to yourself. She’s carrying a torch for you bigger than Lady Liberty’s.”
Hope and doubt warred on his face. “But she’s always pushing me away. She basically said she doesn’t trust any man.” He ran his fingers through his hair and gave an exasperated sigh. “Why don’t women come with instruction manuals?”
“Because men would never read them.” She smiled and preened. “Anyway, I gave you a sterling character reference and assured her that you were the best of the best. And I have a plan. It’s simple, but it’s expensive.”
He rolled his eyes at her. “You know I’ve got money, Kimi. What is it?”
She pursed her lips then smiled wickedly, “Oh, it’s not going to cost money…”
He growled warningly, “Kimi…”
“Fine, I’ll tell you. But only because you’re my second favorite person on the planet.”
She leaned across the guitar and whispered in his ear, secretively, as if divulging the nuclear codes.
His face went blank with shock, his eyes wide. “Really? Do you really think so?”
“Jack, you doubt me? I know so! Now get on it, lover boy! And don’t screw it up! She’s my new bestie.”
Chapter 25
Since I’d spent the whole of the previous day at the spa with Kimi, Sunday was my catch up on chores and call Grandmère day. After changing my sheets, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and a short run, I called Grandmère. This had been our routine since I left France. Sundays was check-in, catch-up, and chat time.
Her phone rang and rang, but she did not pick up. This was out of the ordinary, but I wasn’t worried. It could be that she and Bernard had seized an opportunity to have an adventure, and she’d tell me all about it when I talked to her. I’d try her later.
I pulled out my personalized stationery and wrote an effusive thank you note to Steve Ballanger, making sure to sing the praises of Shanice for her attentive service. It really had been a luxuriously indulgent day, and I wanted him to know I appreciated it.
