Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Scott is under the impression that Evie didn’t tell you she was hopping on a plane for a few days.”
I glance up from my laptop to see Baden approaching me.
He’s taking the casual Friday thing a bit far since he’s dressed in jeans and a T-shirt from the last tour of a pop star. That tour took place more than five years ago, and Baden wasn’t in the crowd for any of the shows.
I doubt like hell he’s even listened to her music, but one of our former clients ran an online shop that sold licensed apparel. Baden bought a bunch of T-shirts, wore them around New York City, and when a few people showed an interest in where he got them, he convinced Vance and me that the business was a solid investment for Vidori.
We’ve since sold it to a nationwide chain of brick and mortar clothing stores. They seamlessly integrated the online shop into their brand, and we came out ahead in the deal.
In addition, Baden added to his wardrobe since he still wears the shirts to this day.
“You could have mentioned it,” I tell him.
When I stopped by Scott’s desk on my way back from picking up a coffee, he told me that Evie had reached out to Baden late last week to request the long weekend. She didn’t specify her destination but indicated that she was flying out of New York on Thursday night.
I may have spent over an hour after that studying the flights that departed both JFK and LaGuardia last night. That was a colossal waste of time. Miss Starling could be anywhere with anyone by now.
“It slipped my mind,” he says. “What are your weekend plans?”
He knows the answer to that question because it’s the same every week. “Work.”
“Me too.”
That surprises me enough that I chuckle. “You’re working this weekend?”
“I do put in the time when it’s needed,” he assures me with a smile. “Let’s have dinner at Sérénité tomorrow night. It’ll be a good end to the day.”
Since the French restaurant is one of the best in the city, and Baden somehow always manages to get us a last-minute reservation, I nod. “Sérénité it is.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Evie
Tears well in the corners of my eyes as I stand on the small balcony and gaze at the Eiffel Tower.
Dusk has settled over Paris, and even though it’s my last night in the city, I’ve lived what feels like a lifetime’s worth of experiences since we arrived on Friday.
Not only did we find the most beautiful wedding gown for Lottie during our private appointment at a designer boutique, but I was able to choose a stunning maid of honor dress. It’s a darker shade of teal than the one Lottie showed me on her phone before our trip.
The backless dress that will be delivered to my apartment in New York next week is almost floor length, and is embellished with tiny crystals around the waistline.
When I tried it on, I knew it was the one, and Lottie’s shriek of happiness when she saw me in it only cemented that fact.
The rest of our time has been spent eating well, exploring the city on foot, and sitting in a park near here so we could people watch.
Any reservations I may have had about traveling abroad with a virtual stranger disappeared when I saw how the staff and residents in this building greeted Lottie when we first arrived.
I can’t speak French, but several speak English, so I quickly understood that Lottie has been coming to Paris regularly since she was a child.
The flat we were in once belonged to her grandparents. It’s all hers now, and even though she loves it, she told me she wishes her parents would be open to enjoying it with her.
Money may bring happiness to many people, but it sure as hell hasn’t done that for Lottie Rushing.
I turn around to look at the flat that we’ll say goodbye to tomorrow.
It’s not large, but its charm more than makes up for it.
The main room houses two chaise lounges. One is upholstered in a cream fabric. The other is a shade of blue that matches the summer sky. They complement the gorgeous dark blue and white tiled floor that spans the entire space.
The two bedrooms down the narrow hallway are mirror images of each other. A bed covered in soft white linens was the first thing I saw when Lottie showed me the room I’d be sleeping in. Next to the bed was a small circular table with a vase filled with fresh flowers on it.
The brightly colored bouquet was a vibrant but perfect contrast to the light blue walls.
I’ve gotten out of bed early each day that we’ve been here. After making myself a coffee, I sat on the bed, staring out the window while feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.