Page 35 of The Rebel
“Did I hurt you?”
I chuckled, massaging my arm. “No, not at all.”
Then I became acutely aware of his chest pressing against my back. The contact was almost too much to bear. That was ridiculous, but my body was working on another frequency tonight.
“I forgot about you and your gentlemanly manners.”
“That’s how we do it in the LeBlanc-Broussard family.”
“So, it’s not a Southern thing?” I said with a grin.
“Nah, I wouldn’t say that. See you on Monday.”
I nodded. Thankfully, I had two whole days to get mybearings before I returned to the office. Last week, we’d managed to behave, keeping our distance. I was certain that once we were in the confines of the office, we’d do the very same thing next week too. This was just a blip for both of us, that was all.
“Good night, Daisy.” His tone was lower than before, his gaze even more intense.
Suddenly, I wasn’t quite so sure tonight was a blip, after all.
CHAPTER 9
ANTHONY
On Monday morning,I actually started the day early. First, I took Bella to school, then paid the grandmothers a visit at Fragrant Delights. Even though we met regularly, I liked to drop by their store and Mom’s gallery. They were more likely to share things when I stopped by in person.
The store wasn’t open to customers yet, so it was only the two of them as I stepped inside.
“Good morning,” Isabeau exclaimed. “What brings you here?”
“I just dropped Bella off at school. Figured I’d see how you two were doing.”
Celine was pretty high up on a ladder that was propped against the upper shelves. Swear to God, these two wanted to give me a heart attack.
“Celine, I can get whatever you need from up there.”
She looked down at me and laughed. “And what exactly do you think we do when you’re not around?”
“I don’t even want to know.”
“Do you need a refill of shower gel?” Isabeau asked, already heading to the back where they kept everything else besides perfumes.
“Why? You want to give me some more products with, what was it, ambrose?”
She turned to look straight at me, hands on her hips. “You came to mock us this early in the day, Anthony?”
“Not at all.” I cleared my throat. “How’s that antidote coming along?”
Celine started laughing as she carefully got down from the ladder. “We haven’t started yet, but it’s on our to-do list today.”
“Anything I can do to help move things along?”
“My, my,” Isabeau said. “Someone’s very eager for that antidote.”
Fuck yes, I was. “You usually need some info, right, for the people you make the custom perfumes for?” I felt ridiculous even suggesting this. What could I possibly tell the grandmothers about myself that they didn’t already know?
Isabeau shook her head. “You didn’t pay attention. The perfume wouldn’t be for you. It would be for Daisy.”
“Oh, right. Yeah. I forgot.”
