Her jaw drops. “He’s about thirty years older than you.”
I quickly do the math in my head. “Yep, thirty years, only a year younger than you.”
She turns to me, slack-jawed. “How do you know this?”
“I have my little spy,” I nod in Corrie’s direction.
A shocked expression traces her features. “Are you interested in Antoine?”
“Not for me.” I smirk. “For you. Have you seen the way he looks at you?”
She shakes her head, but the smile on her face sticks. “You’re crazy, sweetie. You do realize that I’m getting married in two days, right?”
“So, speaking of Mark… what are you two up to tonight?” I ask innocently.Just making conversation…
She lightens up. “Oh, actually. We were originally going to go for dinner at this little Italian place Mark likes, but turns out we’re going to Antoine’s for an impromptu dinner. You’re invited too, by the way. You, Oscar and Corrie.”
“Wow.” I’m shocked. This is quite the development in our plan. I like it. “Yeah, that sounds great,” I tell her. “Let me go ask them.”
I practically hop over back to Corrie. This fucking with other’s lives shit isfun.It’s usually not my style, but I’ve obviously been spending way too much time around Corrie. “She’s going to Antoine’s for dinner tonight.” I tell her, in hushed tones.
Corrie’s eyes grow wide. “What? Just her?”
“No, Mark’s going too,” I explain. “And we’re invited too.”
“Oh, we’re going,” she says. “I can’t wait.”
“Going where?” Oscar chimes in.
“We’re going to Antoine’s for dinner tonight,” I tell him.
He cocks a brow, mildly surprised. “Cool.”
My stomach growls. I’m famished. Turns out, devious manipulation can build up quite the appetite.
We finally takea break at a little deli/café, and I make sure to sit right next to Antoine. I practically have to fight the woman in the pink track suit to sit next to him but it’s worth it.
I fish my phone out of my purse, and text Matt.
Is Nicole available tonight? We are going to this dinner party tonight in the 18th arrondissement, and she needs to be there. I can text you the address and time later.
“So I heard you invited us to dinner at your place tonight.”
“Yes. I would love if you would all come,” he says in his sexy French accent.
I smile shyly. He might be thirty years older than me, but I could fall in love with this man. In an alternate reality. “We would love to.”
He smiles wide. “That is great. I will invite my daughters. They are about your age. The oldest is twenty-eight, and the youngest is twenty-five. They love meeting new people.”
“Sounds great.” Great… more French beauties to tempt Mark. Speaking of which, I need to ask Antoine something. I inhale a long breath, and despite my nerves, I give it a shot. “Would it be possible for me to invite my friend, Nicole?” I ask. “I was planning to spend the evening with her,” I lie.
“Oh, of course,” he says. “How do you say? The more, the merrier?”
I smile. “Yes.”
I scarf down the most delicious onion bread I’ve ever tasted, followed by smoked salmon on a tasty cracker. I forget all about my devious plans for a second, and just enjoy the food.
Corrie and Momare thrilled when we follow our morning snack with a little shopping. We visit a local vintage shop where they sell countless pretty things; coffee mugs, candles, scarves, perfume, etc… Oscar looks bored to death, and I’m too scared to even look at the price tags. Corrie and Mom do well though, both coming out with bags full of goodies.
