Page 90 of Caleb
Annette nods a few times with shuttered eyelids. “Yes, I’m sure.”
It’s my turn to sigh. The fact that I’m going to give this crazy idea a shot feels like a kamikaze mission. But I’m willing to do it. I’m willing to try anything.
“Annette, I know I’ll owe you for life, but can I ask for one last thing?”
“Of course,” she says. “What do you need?”
“Could you”—I walk over to my other nightstand and pull out a small box and envelope— “leave this in her bedroom? Just in case …”
“What is it?” Annette grabs the small gift and observes it in her hand.
“Let’s say it all depends on how it goes with Ambassador Murphy,” I say with a shrug. “It will either be a birthday gift or a farewell present.” I bought her an Eiffel Tower keychain after Annette told me Red would now live on her own. I thought about how she would now carry her own set of keys and how great it would be for her to remember Paris andmeevery time she used them.
“I’ll leave it on her nightstand before I leave.” She nods a few times. “Let’s hope it remains a birthday gift.”
“Thank you. So … are you leaving tonight?”
She nods.
“I’ve been slowly saying my goodbyes and having my stuff sent out to a friend’s apartment here in Paris,” she explains as I walk her toward the door. “I’ll be staying with her for a while until I get my own place.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to get that fresh start here, in Paris,” she says with a hopeful smile, slipping into her heels. “As you said I should.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you.” I pull her against my chest to embrace her. She hugs me back.
“Believe me when I say it’s all thanks to you,” she whispers. “You led me this far. And now it’s your turn to take back what’s yours.” She kisses my cheek and holds me at arm’s length. “She’s going to need you in New York. So, go get your job back,garçon.”
“Thank you.” I kiss the top of her head before she opens the door to leave.
“Oh!” Annette looks over her shoulder at me, still holding the doorknob. “Would you be so kind as to let James know I quit and won’t be coming to New York?” She lifts the corner of her lips into a mischievous smirk.
“Oh, it’ll be my absolute pleasure.”
Twice
AFTER BRUSHING MY TEETHand throwing some water on my face, I head back to the party, and thankfully, I wasn’t missed. It’s as if I’d left for five minutes instead of almost two hours. Everyone seems to be having fun, although there aren’t as many people as before. But only some have left. I know the embassy staff usually enjoy these opportunities to hang out, eat a good meal, and have a few drinks. So there are still a few hours before the party ends.
“Where were you?” Aaron asks when I stand next to him, narrowing his eyes at me. “You disappeared for a while.”
“Yeah, I was talking to Annette.”
Aaron hums and nods and says nothing else while I look around, trying to spot Ambassador Murphy. He’s sitting down smoking a cigar with two other men. He seems content, and I can’t wait to wipe the smug smile off his face. Or try, that is. I know that man’s won every battle in the past, but I am ready to win the next one.
“Aaron, I’m going to approach Ambassador Murphy and ask him if I can take him aside to talk,” I inform him. “Please don’t ask me any questions right now. I promise everything’s okay. I’ll explain everything later.”
“Caleb!” he shouts, but I’m already flying down the stairs toward the garden. I catch Red laughing with her friends and having wine, and it makes me smile to see her happy. Hopefully, the night will end on a high note, and she’ll remain oblivious to all the behind-the-scenes drama that’s ensued over the last few weeks.
I approach the Ambassador, and he immediately makes eye contact with me. He addresses me when he realizes I’m here to talk to him. “Yes, Caleb?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Ambassador.” I nod at the two other men beside him. “May I have a word?”
“Of course.” He stubs his cigar on the ashtray before him and excuses himself to step aside to talk to me. “Is it quick, or do we need to take this to my office?”
“If you don’t mind, sir, I’d appreciate some privacy.”
“Follow me.”
