Consequences(196)

Claire asked how they liked the wedding pictures she sent. They both said they liked them very much. Emily even said she bought some new dresses to wear with her wedding shoes. She’s never owned shoes like those and planned to get Anthony’s money’s worth out of them.


Tony smiled at Claire and commented, “What a great idea. Maybe Claire could decide to wear some of her shoes more than one time.” They all laughed. The mood was jovial. The dinner tasted delicious and catching up was fun.

In the car on their way back to Manhattan Claire told Tony, “Thank you, but I’m glad that’s done. It’s too much stress for me. Besides, I’m too excited about our trip!”

His eyes lightened again.

If that night needed to qualify as a type of consequence, Claire would call it positive. The next day, they flew east across the Atlantic.





Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.



—William James





Chapter Forty


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In Paris, Tony booked their suite—more like an apartment—in the Second Arrondissement located in the heart of Paris. Many of the major attractions Claire wanted to visit were within walking distance. Tony gave her complete freedom to roam the city while he was in his meetings. At first, she worried about the language barrier; after all, he spoke French like a native; however, unlike the rumors she’d heard, as long as she attempted to speak their language, the French were polite and fluent in English.

She did her best to frequent the shops along Rue de Faubourgs Saint Honoré, but she found the styles too bold for her liking. After his business was complete, they experienced Paris together. They took romantic walks along the Seine and in the Tuileries Gardens. They also dined on amazing cuisine. The cultural differences fascinated her. Dinner didn’t begin until 8:30 PM, but earlier than that they could experience l’apéritif—from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM—where cafés and bistros offered their best cocktails or wine by the glass. Tony’s understanding of the French was not limited to their language. He was also well versed in their wines. Apparently, the French consider wine to be an adjunct to each meal and snack—it reminded Claire of college.

Paris claimed to be capital of romance, but Claire would suggest the C?te d’Azur or the French Riviera seek to take the title. Located in the southeastern corner of France on the Mediterranean coastline, it boggled her mind to think she was actually there in the playground for the wealthy. She didn’t realize Tony planned this portion of their trip with no business obligations, no meetings, commitments, or other recipients of his attention. He was totally devoted to her.

The French Riviera was a major yachting and cruising area. Unbeknownst to Claire, they reserved a private one-hundred-foot luxury sailing yacht, complete with their own captain and first mate. It would be their hotel for two nights. They boarded their yacht in Beau lier-sur Mer, a beautiful Mediterranean resort village.

They spent the next seventy-two hours lounging on the sea decks, enjoying the interior cabins, and cruising up the coast toward Italy. Some of the ports they viewed from their deck, others they stopped and explored. Cruising on a private yacht in the Mediterranean was amazing. Claire’s favorite port was Monaco. The entire experience seemed surreal. Being the second smallest independent state in the world, the entire city-state was less than one square mile. They were able to walk the hilly streets and enjoy many attractions. There were museums and palaces, as well as shopping. Tony relished Claire’s unabashed enthusiasm for Monte Carlo. Claire believed that Le Musée Oceanographic or the palace above the sea was one of the most beautiful places she’d ever seen. She didn’t want to leave; however, their yacht was docked in the scenic harbor and waited to take them north to Italy.