is exactly what you need to finally put all the pain of the past behind you. To understand and to see on a true, visceral, physical level that you can be worshipped, cherished, and adored in the bedroom.
* * *
I swallow past a tight lump in my throat. I’m certain she’s giving me exactly the advice I need to hear. I know, too, that I ought to absorb it into my bones, into my blood, and to act accordingly.
To be smart. To protect my heart.
* * *
Scarlett: I suspect you’re right. Also, how the hell do you know so much about relationships?
* * *
Nadia: I’m not sure I know that much. But I try to listen to all the things people around me have said in various situations. When my brother was going through heartache a few years back before he met his eventual fiancée, my mother said something similar to him. It helped him move on. So I’ve shared it with you in case you need it at some point to move on. If Daniel’s made it clear that there’s no future beyond this tryst, just remember you’ll be fine, and you’ll come out on the other side. And I’ll be here for you.
* * *
I draw a deep breath, processing her wisdom. Grateful for it, and her support.
I know how to protect my heart. I’ve done it for years. If I have to do it with Daniel, I’ll do it with Daniel.
I send one last note to my friend.
* * *
Scarlett: I’ll be fine. I’ll be perfectly fine.
* * *
Soon, I get dressed and ready, then when he’s up and freshened up too, we gather our bags and head to the lobby, running into Hazel and Elodie.
They’re lounging on the leather sofa, drinking coffee.
“Good morning, Violet,” Elodie calls out, her voice a little hoarse.
It takes me a moment to remember I’m Violet. Blinking, I fasten on a smile. “Hi Elodie. Hello Hazel. Did you have a good night?”
The blonde threads her free hand through her wife’s. “The best. Thank you.”
Hazel laughs softly, resting her head on Elodie’s shoulder. “We’re all such honeymooners, aren’t we?”
I chuckle, but it feels forced. “We are indeed.”
“Love you madly, babe,” Hazel says to her wife, then plants a soft kiss on her cheek.
“You too, sweetie.”
Hazel squeezes Elodie’s hand and my heart clutches. They’re so…real.
I want that. I want that kind of true romance.
But it’s not in the cards.
“Have a wonderful honeymoon,” I call out and we head to the airport, Nadia’s words ringing in my head like a trumpet.
You’ll come out on the other side.
I will. I have to believe it.
19
Scarlett
The Mediterranean sparkles like a cache of jewels.
The sea shows off its opulent brightness, the water shimmering like a sapphire one sun-soaked minute, then a turquoise stone the next.
With the backseat window open and the breeze blowing in, I inhale the salty sea air. “Yes, this hotel chain is looking like a gem indeed,” I declare as a driver whisks us along the coast of Nice, heading to our next destination, after our morning flight to the South of France.
“It’s hard to resist so far,” Daniel agrees.
It’s our third day of diligently assessing this chain’s potential for acquisition.
I have to see the timing that way rather than as our third day of make-believe.
I will focus on the work purpose of this trip. I won’t lose sight of what’s been my salvation since my marriage ended.
Business. Deals. Strategy.
I’ll have to remember that this game of make-believe has a purpose. It’s giving us the cover we need to determine whether we want to spend millions of dollars to make a can’t-resist offer to the owners.
That’s all.
If pleasure serves business, so be it. This thing with Daniel is a moment in time that won’t last.
But what will last is the deal.
We have four more days to make our decision.
Four days is plenty of time, too, to savor this tryst for all that it is—a delicious slice of seduction—and all that it’s not—a future.
Daniel stares out the open window of the town car. “Lots more to check out, but I like the way everything is shaping up so far.”
“Same here.”
“My only hope is that it’s not simply the endorphins talking,” he says with a grin, reaching for my hand as the driver maneuvers the car onto a side street, winding toward the inn that’s next on our list.
Le Pavillon de Nice.
I roll my eyes. “My, my, you think highly of yourself.”
He deals me a you’ve got it