And just like that, they formed a bond. She felt he was a genuine guy. When he and Lindsay started dating and eventually became a couple, Carla was disappointed. It was a disappointment she brushed aside because it was mostly hers.
Carla was certain that the romance doorway was never there for her. Whether Lindsay was around or not, she knew she wasn’t Falcon’s type. He treated her more like a sister. She still saw him quite frequently because Lindsay was the type who needed a posse to show off her triumphs. And Falcon was one of her trophies.
Each time they saw each other, Falcon was friendly, oftentimes, teasing her about work. He’d even throw in a referral every now and then. Lindsay tolerated the friendship because Carla knew she posed no danger to her. No competition at all. Until they broke up and Lindsay asked her ridiculous request.
The one Carla had no intentions of doing until late one evening….
Carla exited the door of her office building. There was Falcon parked at the curb. Surprise made her freeze on the spot. The joy at seeing him again was overwhelming.
Honestly, Carla thought she lost a friend. Their friendship was hinged on Lindsay’s presence in his life and now that she was gone, Carla doubted she’ll ever hear from him again.
“Hi,” he waved a hand at her from across the street.
Carla waved back walking towards his car and trying to erase the surprise on her face. It felt good seeing him again yet she wondered at the sudden shyness she felt.
“Hello stranger, she greeted, “where have you been hiding yourself?
Falcon stepped out of his BMW i8 and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I just flew in an hour ago. Are you free for dinner? I’m not in the mood for my own company.”
Carla was taken aback by the sudden invitation. It was the last thing she expected. Guilt assailed her and she felt torn. If she accepted it was like betraying Lindsay by saying yes to an ex.
She broke up with him. Don’t be stupid!
The thought did occur it was that easy for him to choose when to disappear or reappear in her life
“Travelling huh,” she muttered as she sunk into the cedar brown interior of the luxury car.
“France actually,” he replied.
France was near enough to Monaco. Maybe he went after Lindsay. The notion made her feel cold. But it did bring Lindsay back to the forefront of her mind and she needed to know if they were back together.
“Did you make it work,” she asked innocently.
“I always make things work,” he replied enigmatically.
Carla swallowed. Her suspicion was right. They did make up.
You were meant for each other,” Carla replied softly.
“That’s exactly how I felt the first time I saw it.”
“It?” She asked suddenly confused.
Falcon glanced at her and replied, “yes, the piece of property that I bought. The owners gave me hell before they agreed to sell.”
“Oh! I thought you were talking about…”
“Riquewihr, it’s a small town 5 hour from Paris, France. I bought a vineyard. I thought about producing my own wine. Why? What else were you thinking?” Falcon asked puzzled.
The sense of relief that flooded was unbelievable. But she brought the white elephant into the conversation. Now she had to address it.
“Lindsay. I thought you went to see her. I never saw you again after you two broke up and I wanted to say I’m sorry about that.”
She felt him stiffen. But when he addressed her, there was hardly a trace of emotion on his face. “Thank you, Carla. That’s really sweet of you.”
Silence fell between them. Then Falcon reached out and tapped her knee, “I really feel like celebrating tonight. I didn’t realize the French were such tough negotiators. But I got it. I always get what I want.”
He brought her to a quaint rooftop restaurant at the waterfront district where the steak was so tender and the margaritas strong. Falcon was attentive filling her glass from the pitcher while regaling her with stories of the land deal. He was triumphant and elated.
It must have been the margaritas or the knowledge that he and Lindsay weren’t back together that made Carla euphoric.
“I brought home bottles of the wine they produce at the vineyard. Would you like to taste it?”
The question was innocuous and rang true to his elation over the land.
“I’m game,” Carla giggled as they stood to go.
It was a decision she regretted now, the very reason she was still in shock over the knowledge that she had gotten herself pregnant.
