Inside the room, Falcon was still sleeping.Thank God!Carla picked up the note she scribbled earlier and tossed it into the trash. She was so jumpy she dared not join him in bed. She entered the bathroom, took her clothes off, and entered the shower.
Fuck! Of all the shitty luck. She’s here in Paris. And so is Falcon. I can’t risk them meeting. I know her. She’s unsure about Hans proposing. I saw it on her face. If he doesn’t, then she’ll make a play for Falcon. That was the plan all along. She can’t. Not after last night. Things are going great between us. I just need to find the right timing to tell him about the baby.
“I woke up and you were gone,” Falcon’s voce cut through her reverie. She was so engrossed she barely heard him enter. He was naked as he joined her in the shower.
“You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t want to wake you,” Carla lied as Falcon’s arms pulled her close. She felt crummy about lying but she had no choice. She would do anything to protect the fragile tie that had only begun.
“I-I want to make an early start back to Riquewihr,” she added.
The sooner she placed some distance between them and Lindsay, the better she would feel.
“I was hoping you’d agree to stay another day,” Falcon cajoled.
“I’d love that…but the men will be starting work on the beams and I really want to be there before they begin.”
“Okay, but do we have time for this,” he asked, bringing her hand to his cock. “It’s feeling a little lonely.”
Carla grinned. She would always have time for that.
***
Being back in Riquewihr made her feel better. Doing something familiar felt safe. At least she was able to get a prescription refill without Falcon knowing she ever left the hotel. But the thought of Lindsay was never far from her mind. She felt guilty, like she stole something from her.
“That’s silly. They broke up,” she consoled herself. She didn’t owe Lindsay an explanation why she was with Falcon.
The bigger problem that needed a solution was the baby she was carrying. She desperately wanted to tell him. But she was torn. It was supposed to be a secret because she thought she wouldn’t see him again. But things have changed. Suddenly there was hope and the longer she kept it a secret, the harder it would be to tell him.
But… Paris was so new, so precious. She didn’t want to risk it yet.
By the way I’m carrying your baby, or remember that night when we got drunk? Well, guess what? You got me pregnant.It didn’t seem right.
She didn’t even know if Falcon was ready to become a dad. “What if he never planned to have children?” The thought was depressing. She was afraid now more than ever that he would decide never see her again.
“I’ll hold off telling him till I’m sure how he would take it,” She decided.
***
Unknown to Carla, her secret was no longer a secret. Back in Paris, Lindsay wondered why Carla acted so weird. And she was certain that Carla had just come out from the pharmacy when they bumped into one another.
She would have dismissed it except that Carla seemed upset to see her. Not just upset but wary and ready to flee. She watched Carla till she disappeared into a corner. Lindsay’s curiosity wouldn’t let it go. She stopped near the door leading to the Pharmacy. She hesitated momentarily and then decided to go in. The guy behind the counter looked up then straightened when he saw her. He seemed captivated by her presence and Lindsay grabbed the opportunity.
They spoke in rapid French. Lindsay leaned in, near enough for the man to see that she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath her shirt. She pouted when the guy seemed unwilling to share the information she wanted. Then Lindsay touched his arm and smiled sweetly up at him. The pharmacist scratched his head and gave her what she wanted.
When she left, Lindsay was leering. The pharmacist said Carla bought pregnancy pills. He was sure, he said, because he refilled the prescription.
Pregnant? Oh Carla, what have you gotten yourself into?Lindsay thought out loud.She isn’t here to work like she said. Maybe the guy was married and needed to keep things quiet. That must be the reason she was leaving soon and couldn’t meet her for dinner.
Lindsay filed away the information in her head. She had no need for it now. Instead she should be prepared when Hans makes that proposal. She was certain it would happen tonight.
***
Lindsay sat at the opulent dining room of Le Cinq. A waiter hovered as a sommelier made suggestions from the wine list. Lindsay opted for Vesper martini as she waited for Hans to arrive.
Lindsay chose the restaurant for a reason. Le Cinq was a 3-michelin star and one of the finest dining places in Paris. From the couture Ellie Saab dress to the Ferragamo shoes, to the seat facing the spectacular courtyard, Lindsay planned everything in meticulous details.
She noticed that heads turned when she entered the restaurant. She expected that. She just landed the covers of Marie Claire. What she didn’t expect was Hans to be late.
“Its alright,” she consoled herself, savoring the attention from the nearby diners. She denied feeling nervous because Hans was running late. This was their engagement dinner. She saw the ring when she rummaged through his belongings. Hans was in the shower and Lindsay couldn’t help herself. She almost screamed when she saw the velvet box and took a peek. It was the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen. It even fit perfectly on her finger.
