“That is a terrible idea,” I say flatly.
“On the contrary,” she retorts. “It’s the best way to clear your conscience.”
“My conscience is fine, thank you very much.”
“I don’t think so.” She searches my face. “I think you feel guilty, and it prevents you from moving on.”
“Why would I feel guilty?”
“Because you’re a decent person.” She gives me a feeble smile. “During the show, you led her on, Antoine. You had to. I’m not here to blame you for it, but I can see how it’s eating at you.”
Is it?
I know my lust for Laura was real. My tenderness, too. I was sincere in every caress, every endearment—I just knew it would all stop with the end of my mission. Laura, of course, was unaware that our relationship had an expiration date, and I never told her. In that, I wronged her.
Could Celeste be right?Could it be guilt, and not… other feelings that keep Laura constantly on my mind?
Celeste touches my arm. “That’s why I want you to see her happily reunited with her ex, the man she never stopped loving, from the looks of it.”
Ouch.
I look out the window. “Laura won’t agree to this dinner.”
“Leave it to me,” Celeste says. “I can be persuasive.”
Her certainty rubs me the wrong way, but her argument has merit.
“One dinner.” She clasps her hands in a plea. “That’s all I ask.”
What if seeing Laura happy with Mike is the bitter pill I need to get over her?
Celeste gives me a final, knowing look. “Stay tuned. I’ll text you the details.”
She blows me a kiss and leaves the room, her heels clicking softly on the floor.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
ANTOINE
The bistro is all warm light and honeyed wood, cozy without being cramped. Celeste and I arrive first. The maître d’ leads us to the table Celeste booked. She’s dressed impeccably, as always, in a cream sheath dress that exudes understated elegance. We sit down. I scan the entrance.
Celeste places a hand on my arm. “They’ll be here soon.”
Moments later, Laura and Mike walk in. My pulse ratchets up. Laura is radiant in a deep green wrap dress that hugs her figure just enough to be maddening.God, those curves!Her silky hair is loose, flowing over her shoulders. I remind myself to breathe.
She’s laughing softly at something Mike said. I know her natural laughter well enough to tell that this one is contrived.
Mike.
I hope my face doesn’t reflect the extent of the hostility I’m feeling toward him. It isn’t jealousy—I don’t think so. It’s just that he doesn’t deserve Laura.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get that memo.His smile is confident, and his gestures expansive, making his thin frame seem bigger. When they reach our table, Celeste and I stand up.
“Laura, Mike!” Celeste gushes. “So glad you could make it!”
I force a smile as I hold out my hand to Mike while Celeste air-kisses Laura. Twice, as is the custom in this part of France. We’re locals to Mike, who knows nothing about Mount Evor. Unless Laura broke her NDA and told him. But I bet she didn’t. She wouldn’t have signed it if she didn’t intend to honor it.
Mike shakes my hand, his grip too tight.
