Page 243 of Damaged Mogul

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I pay the cabbie, mumblemerci, and get out of the taxi.

When I step through the door, a bell chimes.

I scour the shop.

Nadine is nowhere to be seen.

Is she in the back room?

She better be.

I’m not leaving until I talk to her.

If I’m standing in her face, she can’t ignore me.

I take in my surroundings, my eyes bouncing in all four corners.

It isn’t big, but it’s quaint.

From the little I know of Lily’s best friend, the décor matches her personality.

An elegant woman of a certain age is in deep concentration as she selects flowers for the perfect bouquet. A young couple is doing the same, as the man and woman bob their heads to the beat of a jazz tune.

My eyes land on a bucket of Lily’s favorite flowers, and I’m drawn towards them.

I don’t have time to take a step forward.

“Bonjour, monsieur,”a voice says from behind me.“Comment puis-je vous aider?”

Other thanhello, sirI didn’t understand a word she said.

I turn around.

Lily’s best friend gasps, her hands flying to cover her mouth.

“Bonjour,Nadine.”

“What are you doing here?” she says in way of a greeting.

I cut to the chase. “We both know what I’m doing here.”

“I have a business to run. I don’t have time for this.” Her tone is cold and detached, her eyes emanating with fury.

I open my arms. “What’s going on?”

“You’re making a scene.”

“Wouldn’t you, if you were in my position?”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

My face furrows with irritation. “Too bad. I’m here and I’m going nowhere.”

She crosses her arms over her chest.

As if that’s enough to shut me up.“Lily’s father called to chew my head off and I have no idea what the hell he’s talking about. And what’s this about him having me followed?”

“Men.” She sneers. “You’re all alike.”

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