Page 83 of Loaded

“You’re better than that meal,” Bea says.

That makes me smile.

Kissing someone while smiling is strange and beautiful. I could do it all day. “Thank you,” I say.

She pulls back.

“No, don’t do that.”

Her hand flattens, this time, keeping me away. “What did you just thank me for?” Her lips are compressed, but they’re twitching. With excitement? Merriment? Curiosity?

I sigh. “For not getting a restraining order when I kept showing up? For being the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met? For bringing light and joy into my life?”

She cocks her head sideways. “Easton.”

“Now you’re just spoiling me.”

“We should go home.”

“Yes.” I nod. “My place or yours?”

She slaps my arm, and I love that she knew me well enough to know it was a joke. At least, it wasmostlya joke.

I’ve barely pulled out of the parking lot when my phone rings—and it’s an old friend. “I need to take this,” I warn her.

She nods, her expression earnest. “Oh, go ahead.”

I tap the green button to pick up Laurent’s call. “Hello?”

“You picked up!” His French accent always seems more pronounced when we haven’t spoken in a while.

“Isn’t it the middle of the night in Paris?” I ask.

“I’m in Shanghai,” Laurent says.

“What are you doing there?”

“I have another meeting soon—no time to get into all that.” Laurent clears his throat. “But Dad called me about your new proposal. He forwarded the whole thing to me.”

“That’s not promising,” I say. “To be totally honest, we need Barbier, or I’m not sure it will work.”

“We’re like your opposite—all the best women’sluxury goods, and all with a twist.” Laurent’s laugh comes out more like a bark. “Dad said the same.”

“Look, just tell me what I need to do?—”

“Dad loved the idea, but I should warn you. He loved you enough that he wants to buy your company.”

“Buy us?” Now I’m the one laughing. “You couldn’t afford to.”

“Dad and I can’t, but Grandfather could,” Laurent says, “and think about what a good fit it would be.”

“That’s not why I sent you the proposal,” I say.

“Fine.” He huffs. “Fine. Dad said you’d say no, but we at least wanted to ask. It would be a far-cry simpler than the service you’re setting up.”

“Simpler was never my forte,” I say.

“I suppose not,” Laurent says. “Not during school, and not now. But look, Dad has a few demands you’re not going to like.”

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