Page 161 of Perfume Girl
“I think her name was Skye?”
Astor looked thoughtful. “Was she a waitress?”
“Yes, she was your waitress at a restaurant in South Beach.”
He looked surprised. “I hope you sold her a decent bottle.”
“I did.”
“One of mine?”
“No, one of mine, actually.”
“Well, at least there’s one less person wearingPlay With Me.”
“True.”
“Raquel, I want you to know I wasn’t going to give up on us. I found that other bottle in my office and literally stood staring at the wall for half an hour. I couldn’t believe my stupidity.”
“Don’t.”
“There was so much damage to undo.”
I turned my gaze to his. “I suppose we needed time for the dust to settle.”
“No, that wasn’t it at all. I needed to find a way to put things right for you. I felt dreadful for walking out on you after the storm. I will never forgive myself.”
“I need you to forgive me for accepting a job as a ruse.”
He bit his lip, looking guilty. “I might have seduced you into it.”
“It’s good to talk it out.”
“Promise me we always will…talk it out, I mean.”
I gave a nod. “How’s your new cologne being received tonight?”
“Very well. Who knew a fuck-boy scent could arouse such excitement.”
I elbowed his ribs and he burst out laughing.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Peeking into my handbag, I asked, “You don’t want to smell my perfume?”
“Well, if you put it that way.”
“I’m serious.”
“Deep down, I suspected you had created it right from the start.”
His words stunned me. “How?”
Astor held my gaze. “It reminded me of you.”
A soft breeze blew a strand of hair across my face and he reached out and tucked it behind my ear.
Somehow, someway, we had arrived at a life-affirming truth for both of us—one I hoped would set us free. Resting my head on his shoulder, soothed by the rhythmic sound of the waves kissing the shoreline, I exhaled slowly, feeling the remnants of my heartache fade away.
