CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 268 MIRA: PARIS, CAREER, OR HIM?

‘Where’s your boyfriend?’ I asked.

‘Out shopping. He’s heard of the famous Passage du Désir and is dying to check out their merchandise.’ Yvaine slid into her seat and took in the restaurant with a slow glance. ‘Nice place you’ve picked. Must be a huge favour you’re about to ask, if it’s got you splurging on a three-star joint.’

‘Only the best for my bestie.’ I didn’t tell her how much of a relief it was to see her. She didn’t have to say a word; just having her here anchored me in this foreign city. It wasn’t advice I needed so much as her company.

She seemed in good spirits, cheeks glowing from all that skiing. Still, I waited until after dessert, when she was pleasantly full and riding a sugar high, to bring it up.

‘You bloody idiot,’ she said. Her tone was soft and contented, like a cat with a belly full of cream. It was nothing like the screeching judgment she’d hurled at me over the phone a few days ago.

I spread my hands. ‘I’m sure you’ve got a reason for saying that.’

‘Have you talked to Ashton?’

‘No.’

‘Why not? Still avoiding him?’

‘No. I just...’ I couldn’t face him. ‘He’s not answering his phone.’

Yvaine rolled her eyes. ‘What is this, a competition to see who can ignore the other longest? Pathetic.’

I traced the stem of my wineglass. ‘Forget him. I want your opinion.’

‘I’d say take it.’

‘You mean I should buy Valmont & Cie?’

‘Obviously. Even I’ve heard of them. Big name in jewellery, right? It’d be a crime to let them fold just because their boss is an idiot.’

‘If I buy Valmont, I’d have to stay in Paris.’

‘And? Paris is gorgeous if you look past the drugs, the pickpockets, and the stink from the sewers.’

‘Then I’d be away from Skyline. From you.’

‘Don’t be daft. I’ll visit every other week. I love Domaine de Primard, and Cade’s always up for a trip.’

‘I’d be away from Ashton.’

‘Ha!’ Yvaine jabbed her dessert spoon at me. ‘Finally. So it’s career or man, is it?’

‘What would you choose?’

‘Career, without blinking. But that’s me. I love my cake shops, and Cade isn’t Ashton.’

I knew what she meant. Cade was a boyfriend, one in a string before him and, knowing Yvaine, a string after.

Ashton was different. He was my fiancé, the man I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with.

‘I’d be sad for a couple of days if Cade and I broke up, then I’d get over it. Can you say the same about Ashton?’ Yvaine’s eyes gleamed with challenge.

I looked away. She always knew where to stick the knife.

‘You don’t love him, do you?’ she asked.

That one landed harder.

Yvaine sighed. ‘Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you should have stayed with Rhys. You’re two of a kind.’

I frowned. ‘I don’t have feelings for Rhys. Not anymore.’

‘I mean you two share the same twisted view on relationships. You only want what you can’t have. Once you’ve got it, you lose interest.’

‘I disagree.’

‘You were all in when you and Ashton were fake married. Once it became real, you froze. You’ve dragged your feet on the wedding, and now Valmont is the perfect excuse to run. Don’t bother arguing.’ She raised a finger to cut me off. ‘Rhys and Catherine are divorced. Did you know?’

I didn’t, though it hardly surprised me.

‘Remember how he pined for her when you two were together?’ Yvaine’s tone dripped with disdain. ‘He lost his mind over a bloody mug she owned, as if she were the only woman in the world. Then they got married, her halo slipped, and his rose-tinted specs shattered. Now he’s got you in his sights. Mark my words, once you’re back at Skyline, expect the full romantic onslaught.’

‘I won’t—’

‘Excuse me.’ A waiter appeared with two glasses of Château Cheval Blanc. ‘Compliments of the gentleman at table twelve.’

I followed his gaze to a man in a tuxedo, glass raised, smile loaded with invitation. One nod and he’d be at our table.

‘Time to go,’ I said.

Yvaine stood too.

I paid, and we stepped outside.

Cade was leaning against the wall as if he’d been waiting.

‘Hello, Mirabelle.’ His smile was perfect as always, but something was off.

Yvaine clocked it instantly. ‘What?’

He gave me an apologetic glance, then steered her out of earshot.

A muffled curse from Yvaine later, she was marching back, dragging Cade with her. ‘Of course you should tell her.’

‘Tell me what?’

Cade shifted.

Yvaine jabbed him in the ribs. ‘Go on.’

‘Cade?’ I prompted.

‘Ashton was having dinner in a restaurant nearby,’ he said, eyes still anywhere but mine.

‘And?’

‘He wasn’t alone. There was a middle-aged couple, a woman... and a man who might be part of the group but I can’t be sure.’

‘The woman... blonde, blue eyes, stunning, built like a Roman goddess?’

He nodded. ‘The couple left first. Ashton and the woman came out together as I was walking past.’

‘And?’

‘Then the guy came out after them. Looked furious, maybe drunk. He shook his fist. I couldn’t hear what they said. The woman said something, he got angrier. Then she...’ Cade trailed off.

‘Say it,’ Yvaine said. ‘She needs to know.’

Cade met my eyes at last. ‘She kissed Ashton.’

Yvaine twisted the knife. ‘On the lips, not the cheek.’