I don’t look back.
I expect he’ll ask me about her conversation with me, but he doesn’t pry.
A luxurious white car purrs at the entrance to La Maison.Fabien opens the door for me.
“Ooh, now this is nice,” I say to him. I run my hand along the soft, buttery leather interior and sigh. It’s the very picture of luxury. I’ve never been in a car like this.
He smiles and looks genuinely pleased. “You like it?”
“I love it.”
His eyes twinkle at me as he pushes a button beside him. “Watch this.”
A flat screen rises on the back of the panel between our seats and the driver. A flick of his fingers on the touchscreen brings up a host of movies to choose from.
My jaw drops.
“It’s an airplane on wheels!”
A snap of his fingers, and a cool, electronic voice fills the car. “What shall I play for you?”
“Debussy, s’il vous plait.”
Rich music transforms the entire interior of the car.
“Noway. Oh my God, how did youdothat?”
For a brief moment, he looks like a little boy showing off a trophy. “I like my toys.” His gaze lingers on me a little too long, long enough for my mind to go to dirty places.
Am I his toy?
Why do I like the sound of that?
It’s time to change the subject.
“When I was little, I used to research and document cars for my father.”
“Document them?”
I nod. “Yes. I have an excellent memory for detail. I don’t forget anything. He would bet on races. It was legal where we were, so don’t get any ideas,” I say, wagging my finger at him. “I wouldcategorize their speeds, take note of predictions, everything. And I would help call the race. I had an excellent track record.”
“Really.” He puts his phone down, suddenly very interested. “How did you find all that out?”
“I’m very good at making myself invisible. At lurking in places I don’t belong without being seen.” I shrug, then continue, chattering nervously. “I was a gymnast when I was younger, which came in handy when I wanted to squeeze myself into tight places. My mother used to say I had a future ahead of me, but she wasn’t quite sure it was the type you’d put on a résumé.”
I expect him to be amused, or maybe even surprised, but a strange gleam lights his eyes. “That’s good to know.” The car cruises to a stop. “Here we are.”
I look out the window, half expecting a UFO to land to take us to outer space. It all feels surreal, like I’m walking in a dream.
Today, I was supposed to meet with three different clients. I was prepared to meet their needs and be paid amply for it. I’ve learned to mute my feelings and treat what I do as nothing more than a job, but the sharp contrast between my normal day and what I’m doingnowmakes me almost uneasy.
Every member of his staff treats us like royalty. If I were wearing a formal dress, they’d lift my hem so I didn’t dirty it on the tarmac. If it were hot outside, they’d be holding fans and waving them at us to keep us cool. Doors open as if by magic.
It’s all so dreamlike.
Fabien’s hand on my elbow. His familiar tone as he escorts me onto the plane. The vast interior of the plane, luxury at its finest. The smell of leather and cognac. Even the plush velvety blanketfolded on a small table beside my seat looks like it belongs to a queen.
“This is amazing,” I breathe, looking around me. I’m so enamored with everything, I’ve almost forgotten Gwen’s admonition. Is she jealous? Did she want the attention he’s giving me, and now that I’m with him, she can’t handle it?
