‘Perhaps you would like to look at the menu whilst you wait?’ he suggested.
‘Yes, please. I need something to calm my nerves.’
‘I understand. I am sure that your match will be perfect.’
‘Here’s hoping!’ I said, before glancing at my watch.
I started looking over the menu. Everything sounded so delicious. Just as I was trying to decide whether to opt for the steak frites or the fancy French stew, the scent of a rich, delicious-smelling aftershave surrounded me and I heard Claude’s voice.
‘Madame Laila, I am delighted to introduce you to your match!’
A wide grin spread across my face and my head snapped up, eager to see the man of my dreams who already smelt amazing.
But when I saw who was in front of me, my smile dropped and my expression switched to shock, then confusion before shifting to sheer disbelief.
It couldn’t be.
‘G-Gabriel?’ I stuttered, my throat contracting as I struggled to speak. ‘Wh-what are you doing here? This is?—’
‘Incredible!’ Gabriel finished my sentence.
‘You have met before?’ Claude looked at me, then at Gabriel and back again.
‘Yes! Gabriel’s… He’s my… best friend’s son!’ I gasped, my heart was thundering so violently I was certain it was about to shoot out of my chest. ‘There must be some mistake!’ I looked at Claude, praying that somehow he’d introduced Gabriel to the wrong person.
‘There is no mistake,’ Claude said calmly. ‘Gabriel is your match.’
How could he be so relaxed?
Did he not just hear what I said?
This was a disaster on so many different levels.
‘It is wonderful to see you again.’ Gabriel flashed me a warm smile and for a second I found myself marvelling at how perfect his teeth were. All dazzling white, straight and surrounded by beautiful plump lips and…
What the hell?
I shouldn’t be looking at his mouth!
Or how muscular his body looked in that crisp white shirt with the top few buttons undone that exposed a hint of his smooth chest.
This was Juliette’s son.
It didn’t matter that he was a grown man.
Gabriel was her pride and joy.
The most treasured person in her life.
Her universe.
There was no way on God’s green earth that she would be happy aboutme, a woman who was at least twelve years older, datinghim.
Even though she’d used her rich lover’s money to pay for me to come here, she’d be pissed if she knew thousands of pounds had been spent for me to be matched with her son.
No, no, no. This couldn’t work.
Hell would freeze over before she accepted this.
