Page 54 of The Lies We Tell

His lips twitched. “Thirteen.”

“Dear God,” she muttered as another waiter poured them each a small glass of wine.

“For tonight’s amuse-bouche, you have a caramelized fig wrapped in thinly sliced prosciutto and topped with a nugget of Roquefort cheese and a toasted walnut. Enjoy.”

“So, Matteo,” Laurent said, drawing his attention away from Tessa, who was waiting to see how everyone else ate this tiny bite of food before digging in. “Maeve is well, I take it?”

“She is. She sends her regrets.”

“She’s a smart girl, that one. Even if her French leaves a little something to be desired. This one, however.”

“Tessa,” Tessa supplied with a smile.

“Your French is perfect.”

“Thank you.” She cut the fig in half the way Margot did. “I had a lot of time to teach myself and a very patient housekeeper who would let me practice.”

“You’re Italian too, I take it?”

“Guilty,” Tessa replied, making Laurent smile. “But your city is beautiful. I’m enjoying my stay very much.”

“You’ll have to come back in the spring. Nothing beats Paris in the spring.”

“It’s true,” Margot agreed. “The blooms in the city’s gardens and parks are unmatched.”

“I’ve also read the cherry orchard at Parc de Sceaux is a must see,” Tessa replied.

“Oh, yes. Perfect for a day trip outside of the city.”

Tessa was a natural, as if she’d been born schmoozing self-absorbed billionaires. Laurent was enchanted, continually challenging and being impressed by Tessa’s command of French and her knowledge of French history. Matteo almost wished his brothers were here to see how right a decision he’d made in bringing her.

By the time dessert was served, Tessa was deep in conversation with Margot about the merits and drawbacks of method acting. When Laurent suggested they step into another room, Matteo almost didn’t want to leave her.

Rising from his chair, he leaned over and captured her chin in his hand, brushing a lingering kiss across her lips. She smiled when he released her, and if he could, he’d snap his fingers and deposit them both right into bed.

Grabbing his cognac, he followed Laurent into a smaller adjoining room that looked more like a parlor than a private dining room, despite the intimate table for two in the center.

“I don’t know where you found her, Matteo, but she’s absolutely exquisite,” Laurent said as soon as the doors were closed.

“Yes,” Matteo agreed. “She is.”

“You’ll have to bring her again. Now, let’s get down to business so we can get back to our women.”

Matteo crossed to the window and watched the lights from the boats gliding down the Seine through the trees. Normally he’d have spent dinner rehearsing this part, but he was too enthralled with Tessa to have bothered.

“There’s a company I want to acquire in Sicily.”

“I would have thought you were well beyond needing my capital for buying companies.”

Matteo swirled the dark amber liquid in his glass and took a sip. “I don’t need your capital to buy it. I’m here because you’re already invested in the company I want.”

“A fascinating turn of events,” Laurent said after a beat. “Which company would that be?”

“The Antonetti Hotel Group.”

“Fascinating indeed,” Laurent murmured. “You’re talking about a takeover, then. I know Salvatore Antonetti isn’t in the market to sell. Nicolette would have told me.”

“Something like that. He’s cutting into my casino profits, and aside from that, he’s a pain in my ass I’d like to get rid of.”

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