“I do,” I answered.
“And where is he now?”
“His name is Stache,” I said. “And he is married with three kids. I don’t see him all that often. I should ring him. It’s the new year. I lost him a bit… in the breakup.”
“How did youlosehim?”
“He is good friends with Vanessa’s brother. And… I was the pariah in Nessa’s eyes at the time. Even though he knew about the infidelity, that sort of thing bothers him less. For me, it was clearly unforgivable. For him, I was being unreasonable. And he’ll be there this weekend.”
“That’s awful. I’m sorry.”
“I’d fly you out there,” I offered. “I’d appreciate the distraction.”
“Duncan, you cannot be seen with me like that. Like… what would I tell them?”
“I can get a hotel room and chill. You can relax with your friends. And make it look like you’re babysitting me. I am not asking you to go on a romantic weekend together.”
I wasn’t. Maybe I wanted to be, but I wasn’tsupposedto. There was a boundary there. It would be awkward, too. Ella barely let me kiss her and I never slept in her bed overnight. We werenottogether. She made that clear. It made it hot. It provided mystery.
“Sure, fine, if you can clear it with your people, Duncan. I don’t care as long as we make It there in one piece,” Ella agreed. “You need a break. I’ll take pity upon you, Duncan.”
“Thanks,” I said. “In this case, I am accepting any and all pity.”
38
A WEEKEND AWAY
ELOISE
8 January
London Daily Times
The Prince of Wales has fled the UK this morning. It’s a shocker. Some expected him to attend Lady LeRoux’s nuptials out of respect for her family. Instead, he has left the country to go to Switzerland, likely on a ski weekend. Maybe the plan is to get over his ex by getting under someone else? If so, we cannot blame him. Let’s hope he keeps things buttoned up. It’s only been a few weeks since his last unfortunate misstep.
Imade it clear to my charge that this wasn’t a date. Duncan was enjoyinghisweekend away. I was enjoying mine. It was an excuse to take the plane out—something people in his family felt wasnormal. I’d grown up with money, so I’d flown onprivate jets plenty. However, Duncan’s life was just so bizarre—so beyond anything I could conceive.
We were in a private jet flying to Switzerland with his detail. It wasnormalto have them around right now. However, at “home” we were alone. It was sodomestic.Sometimes, we even bonded. We swapped stories and cooked meals together. He was honestly the best housemate I’d had. He was tidy, stayed out of my hair if I didn’t want him around, and had decent taste in television shows.
We arrived in Switzerland and departed our separate ways, but not before he slid a note into my palm. It wassolike Duncan to get up to this. I should have expected it.
I shook my head. “Incorrigible.”
He gave a cheeky grin and waved me off on the hotel steps. I departed to the Vincent’s chalet. Monique’s father, Julian, made his money in investments. He’d been a venture capitalist before his semi-retirement. Monique’s mother was a human rights lawyer. She’d been a great inspiration to me. The Vincents were the family I never had. I could notwaitto see them!
I departed the car, surprising the Vincents with the very expensive Mercedes that delivered me versus the basic taxi they expected me to hire.
“Darling! Oh my God!” Monique screeched, running over in her slippers.
She wrapped me up in a huge hug and kiss before pulling back. Her mahogany skin was practically glowing, her big brown eyes full of happy tears. Our reunions always went like this. We knew one another since boarding school.
“I am so happy to see you!” I said. “But you’re gonna freeze out here! Go on!”
The driver helped me out before leaving.
“Ma Cherie, how are you doing? The car… that is a surprise. And you did not tip him?”
“Oh, God. Long story. My client was on the way here, so he flew me out.”
