Relieved, she said, “I’ll do the same for you. You do have someone, don’t you? At the very least, a fuckbuddy?”
He smirked. “I can neither confirm nor deny that.”
Gina chuckled this time.
“Truth?” Jeremy said. “I always saw…ustogether.” He grinned. “I mean, for real, not just as a cover.”
“Oh.”
“How…serious are you with this guy who I only theoretically might know and who theoretically exists?” He shrugged, his wistful expression firmly in place. “Do I even have a chance with you?”
Gina grabbed his hand briefly and then let it go. “I’m sorry, Jeremy. No. Even if there weren’t someone else, I just…I don’t think of you that way.”
He nodded, a faint smile still in place. “Well. I had to take a shot or die regretting it.”
“I’m really sorry.” And she was. Jeremy deserved someone who could love him.
“Go on, go.” He made a gesture like he was sweeping her out the door. “I’ve got things covered. We aren’t even supposed to be here. This was supposed to go smoothly back home and I probably flirted with her too hard at some point and made Porter jealous. It’s my fault we’re even here.”
“I’m still worried about Eva. If they catch her?—”
“They won’t. She’ll be fine. She’s got the hairbrush and she’s a go. You being here won’t make a damn bit of difference. We’re just staying and looking at art until she confirms she’s on the plane and heading for Little Edward Cay. You don’t need to be here for that. So go. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
She nodded, her heart already out the door and with Lach.
* * *
So Gina left, grateful to Jeremy for understanding and reassuring her that everything would be all right. And now she was here with Lach until tomorrow. After that, she’d only go back long enough to make sure Eva was all right and to turn in her resignation.
Then she was free.
She noticed the room smelled like coffee. Gina rolled over to find Lach already awake.
“Heya, Sunshine. I was waiting for you to open your eyes. You were really out.”
“I was?”
He nodded. “I’ve already been up and about. I made coffee and grabbed breakfast from the bakery next door.”
“Are you serious?” She was such a light sleeper, she couldn’t believe it. Gina sat up. Sure enough, a little table beside the windows was set with two plates, some pastries, and a carafe, along with a crystal cut vase holding a single red rose. She smiled at it.
“Hey,” Lach said, color tinging his cheeks. “Paris is supposed to be romantic, right? Did I do good?”
Gina couldn’t help but laugh. “You did good, Soup.”
He handed her a robe from the other side of the bed. They got up and sat down at the table. He’d brought her chocolate-stuffed croissants, her favorite. And the coffee was hot and black and strong, just the way they both liked it. Gina savored her breakfast as she looked out over the quiet pedestrian street covered in a light blanket of snow. Somewhere, a cathedral bell rang. Everything felt peaceful, including her soul.
“What are you thinking, lass?” Lach’s eyes sparkled as he watched her over the rim of his coffee cup.
“I thought I’d used up the last of my soul. I didn’t know I had more.”
He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. With a good-natured smirk, he said, “I thought you said you’d sold your soul.”
“I did say that because I did sell it.”
He cocked his head. “Maybe you’re wrong, Gina. Maybe your soul is bigger than you ever imagined.”
He stood up, rounded the table, and picked her up like she was a feather.
