Page 96 of Finally Forever
I follow Lowell into the guest room of his apartment. The classic Parisian architecture of the building drew me in upon arrival, as did the staircase wood banister. We climbed to the third floor. The building has six.
The tall ceilings, intricate moldings, herringbone wood floors, and arched windows stole my breath when we walked in.
“You’re living the dream,” I tell Lowell.
He and Luc picked me up at the airport in Luc’s parents’ Peugeot. They greeted me with a paper sign that read,Bienvenu Goldilocks.
I laughed and embraced Lowell for longer than planned. I hugged Luc too, happy to finally meet him in person. He’s just as pretty as he looked the one time Lowell introduced us during a FaceTime call, over a year ago.
I’d seen Paris before with Sebastian but still gawked out the back windows on the drive home, especially when I caught sight of the Eiffel Tower sparkling like stars in the night.
And now I’m here at his pied-à-terre.
Lowell sets my suitcase near the bed. “Here’s your room. It’s small, and there’s no TV, but it should have everything you need.” He points to a dresser and a rack for hanging clothes near a tall, thin window. “The bathroom is around the corner.”
“Everything is perfect. Thank you so much for letting me stay.”
He glances out the door before his turquoise eyes land back on me. “Okay. Ma cherie. What’s the deal? Are you in trouble?”
“No.” I don’t think so. “I’m… I…”
“You said you’d tell me everything once you got here. I don’t need it all explained at this minute. But I want to know you’re not in trouble.”
Sweat beads above my upper lip. What to say? There’s so much to tell. “I’m not in danger anymore. I don’t think.”
Lowell stumbles back a step and grips his heart. “I said trouble, not danger. I would never invite danger into my home. Luc and I live a simple life. We’re homebodies. We cook, watch movies, stroll through the gardens.”
I raise my hands. “No one is after me. Anymore,” I murmur in afterthought.
“You’re seriously scaring me.” He closes the bedroom door and turns to me, waving his fingers backwards. “Spill it, Ainsley.”
“Do you want to sit?” I gesture to the bed.
“I’m fine. But now I need the rushed full version. Listing all major points.”
“Okay.” I draw in a breath to calm my faster heart and sit on the edge of the bed. “Remember when we talked a year ago about me leaving with a guy I loved?”
He nods.
“Don’t freak out, but he was in the mafia. He left,” I add quickly as Lowell’s eyes widen like huge saucers.
“We went into protective custody and were released.” By our own choice. “We’ve been living in hiding ever since, safely, all throughout Europe. He’s amazing. The love of my life. He’s a good man. Caring, protective. We got engaged not long ago. You saw the ring.” The ring that is in my bag instead of on my finger.
He glances at my hand, noticing it’s gone. “And you’re no longer with him? Is he after you?”
“No.” I wish. “He’s…he lost his memories and doesn’t remember me anymore.”
Lowell folds his arms, looking like he’s about to give me a lecture. “How did he lose his memories?”
“He was in a car accident over a year ago and the old injury caused swelling in his brain, which caused amnesia. He tried to remember me, but it didn’t work, so I left him. I left to start a new life. It wasn’t an easy choice. I still love him. I always will. But what we had is over.”
I lower my head and wipe fresh tears from my eyes. “I’m sorry, Lowell. I couldn’t tell you before because it wasn’t safe. I wanted to, especially when I saw you in Aix-En-Provence. It felt like fate wanted us to reconnect when I saw you in that wedding boutique. I missed you. I miss our friendship. You’ve always been the only part of my past that was good. My only true friend. But I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. This is your home. I can leave.” I clutch the handle of my suitcase.
“Wait. Just wait.” He holds up his palms. “Is the mafia after you now?”
“No.”
He runs both hands through his hair, his brows scrunched with concern.
