A pause. Lengthy pause. I steal Leo’s chicken nugget. These are actually good.
“You have to dip it in ketchup,” he whispers, even though we’re the only ones in the movie theater. It’s a private showing.
I get the impression you know Annette well. Do you?
She’s Val’s personal Parisian stylist. I called her in for Lake.
She’s my ex.
Another lengthy pause, and I smirk as I dip my nugget in ketchup. Mmm. This is really good.
Ten minutes later, Lake texts again.
YOU BASTARD.
I smile.
What happened?
She started talking about you, and I thought she was gaslighting me, so I shoved the picture you took of us doing the dirty into her face while telling her how you’re mine now and all that, but she…
I throw my head back and laugh.
Annette is a lesbian. I lied.
MIDDLE FINGER!
I read the message again. Wait a minute, Lake thinks I’m hers. Am I?
I’m completely humiliated and angry.
LOL. Then rage shop.
Five minutes later.
I’m at the jeweler
Uh-oh.
Which one?
His name is Pavle, and we’re sipping champagne.
Tell him you’re in Paris with me.
I don’t want Pavle to mention anything he shouldn’t, like what I picked up at the store today. I want it to be a surprise.
I told him.
What did he say?
He said I need matching earrings.
He’s right. I forgot about the earrings.
Alessio, I know you’re a millionaire and all, but I can’t spend a million euros on a shopping trip.
I’m not a millionaire.
