‘I’m Edward, by the way,’ he introduced himself with a smile. ‘But please, just call me Ed.’
Colette studied his open face and smiled back. ‘Colette.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Colette.’
He was charming and funny, and the way he looked at her made her stomach flop. This was crazy. What could two lovely men like this one and Luca possibly want with her? It didn’t seem real.
‘Could we perhaps make a deal?’ he whispered conspiratorially.
‘What kind of deal?’
‘I’ll help you find something for your friends if you’ll help me choose something for my mum? Agreed?’
She smiled. He was nice and had a way about him that Colette knew she could trust him. What was the harm?
‘Agreed.’
‘Wonderful,’ he answered. ‘So, tell me a bit about your friends and let’s see if we can’t figure this out between the two of us.’
‘Well,’ Colette began, ‘one is a fun-loving brunette who seems to have it all under control. She’s vivacious and creative, and can do things with hair and clothes that I could only dream of.’
‘You came here together on a girls’ holiday?’
‘No, actually.’ Colette shook her head. ‘We’re staying at the same accommodation and just struck up a friendship. The one I just described is Irish, and the other’s from New York.’
‘A New Yorker, eh. Tough-to-please ball-breaker type, I’d imagine?’ he teased.
‘Not at all, she’s lovely. Though she has expensive taste, judging by the clothes and accessories she has with her. She’s also very wise and loves to read.’
‘So one is a feisty go-getter while the other is a wealthy nerd?’ Ed mused with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Colette laughed. ‘Something like that.’
He winked. ‘OK. I think you’ve given me enough to go on.’
‘And what about your mum?’
‘Well, she’s in her mid-fifties but looks much younger. She’s been going grey for years, but masks it by getting her hair coloured on a regular basis. She’s sophisticated and very sweet, a wonderful mother who is always there for her three children,’ he mused. ‘She’s a giver, too – always keen to help others.’
‘She sounds wonderful and would probably get along well with my own mother. She’s much the same.’
Colette walked back to a display she’d studied earlier and glanced over the necklaces, before selecting one with a trio of pearls set in gold and centred by a diamond dangling from a thin gold chain.
‘Here,’ she said, pointing to the piece beneath the glass. ‘That one. You said there were three of you?’
‘Yes. And that is lovely. Sophisticated, too, exactly like my mother,’ Ed replied. ‘Perfect choice.’
They both looked up to see Anastasia approach. ‘Any luck?’ the assistant asked with a smile.
‘I have,’ Ed replied, ‘but my friend’s still looking.’
Colette looked at him in surprise. ‘Just like that?’ she whispered. ‘Don’t you want to check the price first?’
He smiled. ‘I’m sure it’s fine. Hold onto this for me for a moment,’ he instructed Anastasia. ‘I’m still helping my friend.’
Several minutes later, Colette walked out of the store with her purchases in hand and a smile on her face.
The selection had been much easier with Ed there to help her. And fun, too. She turned to thank him again as he stepped out the door behind her.
