I whimpered as I tried to let out a casual laugh. Jesus. I’d gone from emotional wreck to lust-crazed, weak-kneed damsel in seconds.
“Ahh, I miss your sounds, Joséphine. And there are things I would like to do too, and here is not the place for them.” He was pulling out all the stops to get me to give him a chance.
I placed my palms on his chest and pushed him back. “Fine.” I shivered. “Fine, I will see you tonight. I’m meeting friends, but I’ll see you afterward, okay?”
He broke into a brilliant smile.
“Put that away,” I grumbled.
He smiled wider. “I cannot.” But then his face fell. “What time will you come? Dauphine might be asleep because she is on French time and she will be so disappointed. I want to see you tonight though. Maybe that is better if she is sleeping because we can talk in private. Can we see you again tomorrow?” He grabbed my hand. “Whatever happens tonight, good or bad, tell me you will keep a promise to see Dauphine tomorrow.”
I swallowed. “Of course.”
“Bon.” He nodded, then his grin struggled to break through again.
“I didn’t bring my sunglasses to deal with your smile.”
His teeth flashed.
“I can’t believe you recognized me from behind,” I added.
“I can. You forget how much time I spent obsessed with your ass.” He winked.
My heart swelled and fizzed. Letting a controlled breath out, in case I started screaming with the giddiness that was bubbling up inside me, I took a step to the side with a jerk of my thumb. “I need to go, I’m late for work.”
“D’accord, Joséphine. À ce soir.” He pressed his lips to my wrist then let it go.
“Until tonight.” I nodded and turned. Four steps later, I glanced over my shoulder to catch him looking at my butt. He winked and shrugged with his palms up as if to say “What did you expect?” I turned and jogged backward for three steps, shaking my head and fighting a smile, then with a wave I resumed my run. I didn’t look back until I arrived, sweating, but driven by wings on my feet the whole way home, at the front door of our apartment.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Emergency girls’ night. ASAP. I texted the group chat with Meredith and Tabitha.
Mer: We’re already meeting, dumbass.
Yes. But I’m setting the tone.
Mer: Why?
It’s a long story. Best not over group text.
Mer: Ooh.
Tabs: Oh, what? Never mind. I think I know why.
??
Mer: ??
Tabs: Um… It wouldn’t have anything to do with me organizing a local nanny for Xavier Pascale would it?
Mer: What?!!!!!!
What?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mer: Holy shit. (Side-eye emoji)
You knew he was here? Wait. Wrong response.
Tabs: Yes. He called me two days ago and said he had business in Charleston. The question is why I didn’t know why YOU might need to know. Don’t you think you perhaps should have told me something? So I didn’t have to hear it FROM MY CLIENT!
Mer: oof.
I’m sorry. So sorry.
Mer: This is so awkward.
You weren’t here. And I know it was against the rules. Didn’t want to stress you out. But I was going to tell you, I promise. Wait. When did HE tell you?
Tabitha: This morning. He called and told me you and he had had a relationship. He assumed I knew.
Mer: In Josie’s defense she was going to tell you tonight.
I was. I promise. Cringing, I hit send.
Mer: But anyway, back to the important shit. He’s here? Like here, HERE? In Charleston. This is OMG. Josie, how did you find out?
I ran into him. Literally. Was out running.
Mer: Eek. Did he see you?
Understatement. Yes. He saw me … drooping in the heat, sweat pooling all over me, and hair frizzing in the humidity.
Mer: Ouch.
Ouch, indeed.
Mer: Did you talk?
Yes. That’s why the tone setting for girl’s night is EMERGENCY. So Tabs, what did he say exactly?
Tabs: I have a meeting right now. Chat later xo
Ugh!
Mer: Ugh!
So much I need to share. And as much as it is going to KILL ME to keep it bottled up until later, it’s better that I tell you guys in person.
Mer: Pleeeease. Just a little bit? Is he here for you?
No. His boat.
Mer: I don’t believe that. Tell me just a little. Did he say he couldn’t live without you?
I’m almost at work, I gotta go.
Mer: Pleeease!!! Did he tell you he loves you?
Mer: Josie?
Mer: Josie?
Mer: JOSIE!!!!!
Yes, he did. But …
Mer: SQUEEEEALLLL. No buts.
All the buts.
Mer: Bullshit. I’ll talk you straight later.
I have no doubt you’ll try. But I might not need much convincing.
Mer: OMG. Seriously?
I bit my lip. Seriously.
Tabs: Entering the chat again against my better judgment. Seriously?
Mer: Hi Tabs. Knew you couldn’t resist a good love story. Maybe you should open a matchmaking service instead? This is amazing. Do me next?
I chuckled aloud.
Tabs: LOLOLOLOL. No.
Oh, also, I asked Barb to come meet us for a margarita. She has some work news to share. Hope you all don’t mind.
Mer: I love Barb. The more the merrier.
Tabs: Fine with me. As long as you’re not embarrassed to be reamed out for screwing your boss in front of an ex-coworker.
I pursed my lips and selected the straight mouthed emoji and hit send.
Mer: oof. Again.
For the first time since I’d started my new job, the day dragged. My mind was all over the place. The man I was in love with was in my city. He wanted to be with me and I was dragging my feet. At lunchtime, I only had thirty-five minutes between meetings so I made my way to Washington Square with a smoothie, found a bench, and called my mother. It was a tiny park, one city block, if that. And not too many people knew of its existence, or at least if they did they never walked through the gate.
“Mom.” The relief at hearing her voice as she answered made my throat tighten. Sometimes you just needed
