One Summer in Paris(111)

Audrey felt something flutter in her stomach. “Grace, how do you know when you love someone? I mean, really love them, and not just want to get naked with them the whole time.”

“That’s a hard question.” Grace dropped the makeup back in her bag. “It’s probably different for everyone, but I think when that person is the one you want to be with more than anyone, that’s a pretty good sign. And caring about their happiness. That’s important, too. I’m guessing Etienne is here because he was worried about you and cares about you.”

“I think about him all the time. And I feel like I’m on a high. Like I’ve drunk a ton of diet cola, or eaten six bars of chocolate. It feels great, but also a bit scary. A bit too good to be true, you know? It’s so easy. We talk all the time, and we have fun, and I never expected a relationship to be this easy.” Watching her mother’s experiences, and also her own, had left her thinking relationships were awkward and hard work. It was a surprise to discover it didn’t have to be that way. “I can be myself with him.”

“Well, that’s the best thing, of course. Because being someone else doesn’t work in the long-term.”

“He knows I love animated movies. He even watched one with me, but don’t let on that I told you that. I don’t think he likes them, but he did it for me.”

Grace laughed. “That’s definitely love.” She stood up. “Time to put him out of his misery. Let’s go.” She lifted Audrey’s bag down and retrieved her own.

Audrey hugged Grace tightly. “I love you. And I don’t mean that in a weird way, and all I’ve drunk is water so I’m not under the influence of anything except gratitude.” She felt Grace hug her back.

“I love you, too. And you’re going to let me know what happens with your mom, and with Etienne. And if you need me, I’m always here.”

“And I’m here if you need me.” Audrey stepped back and swung her backpack onto her shoulders. “Anytime you need fashion advice, or a new haircut, or some fresh new ways to curse—”

The train had stopped, and she saw Etienne catch sight of her.

His face brightened.

Grace gave her a push. “Go. I’ll give you five minutes to get the sloppy stuff out of the way.”

Audrey stumbled on her way out of the train, and then Grace called after her.

“Audrey?”

“What?”

“Poulpe.”

Audrey frowned. “Excuse me?”

“The French word for octopus. In case you ever want to order one from a menu.”

Audrey laughed and hitched her bag onto her shoulder.

She gave a final wave and stepped down from the train, and then Etienne was grabbing her, kissing her and talking all at the same time. She loved the way he was holding her—as if she was something precious that he’d almost lost.

“Elodie told me about your mum being in hospital.” He lifted his mouth from hers just long enough to speak. “Why didn’t you answer my calls? I’ve been going mad.”

“I didn’t want to bother you with it. How was your family?”

“The same as ever. And don’t ever, ever keep things from me again. When you’re in trouble, I want to know.” He kissed her again. “I love you, Audie. I really love you.”

“I love you, too.” Audrey decided that love was the most exciting, intoxicating thing she’d ever experienced. It was like a drug, with none of the side effects. But it was also comforting. That hollow feeling of loneliness that had been with her for so long had vanished. “I love you so much.”

She flung her arms around him and then felt Grace tap her on the shoulder.

“En francais,” Grace said, and Audrey rolled her eyes at Etienne.

“What’s the French for get off my back?”





Grace


Grace headed straight to the hotel, leaving Etienne and Audrey to cover the bookshop. She was desperate to see Sophie. Choosing to support Audrey over her own daughter had been one of the hardest decisions of her life, but following her maternal instinct and going to Sophie would have meant abandoning Audrey when she most needed a friend. Grace hadn’t been able to do it, especially knowing that David was equally capable of supporting their daughter.

She’d had a text from him earlier saying they were having lunch in the restaurant, so she headed there but before she reached the restaurant her phone rang.

Lissa’s name showed on her caller ID.

Oh, you have to be kidding me.

Grace stared at the phone. Was she really going to take a call from her husband’s lover just before she walked into the restaurant? There had been a time when she’d loved Lissa like a daughter, but that feeling was long gone.

She could ignore the call, but if she ignored it, she’d simply think about it all day. It would be like a stone in her shoe. She needed to get rid of it now.

With a sigh, she answered the call and stepped into a quiet corner of the reception area. “Lissa.”

“Mrs. Porter? Gr-Grace?” Lissa sounded impossibly young, and Grace almost rolled her eyes.

She wasn’t going to let a little wobble in the voice soften her.

The girl had been old enough to seduce David. Old enough to be at least 50 percent responsible for threatening a marriage.