I laughed. “You want me to talk about a proposal I never made? My imagination’s good, but it’s not that good.” I pointed at the ring. “Where did you get that from?”
A wounded look settled on her face. “You gave it to me.”
“I did not, and you know that.” I peered more closely at her. “You do know that, right?”
“You’re saying some really hurtful things. I’ve forgiven you for taking off and coming here. I’ve even forgiven you for having one last fling.” She threw a pointed look at Laurent.
He held both hands up in a defensive gesture. “I am not a consideration in this. I’m just here to act as a referee if one is required.”
Ouch! That hurt. I concentrated on Katrina. Laurent could wait. “You’ve forgiven me? Our relationship ended, Katrina, when you tried to trick me into getting you pregnant.”
“You want children. You said you wanted them.”
“Yeah, later. When I’m older. Late twenties or early thirties. Not now. And call me picky, but I’d like to choose who I have them with.” I shook my head. “We’re getting off track. There was no proposal. I didn’t give you a ring. I didn’t ask you to marry me. I’ve told you time and time again that we’re over. I can’t make my feelings on the subject any clearer, so you need to stop this, Katrina. For my sake, and yours.”
She gave a pretty pout. “You’re only saying that because Laurent’s here, and you’re embarrassed you didn’t tell him how it was between us.”
I tipped my head back and prayed for some unseen entity to give me strength. “Don’t make me take a restraining order out on you.”
Katrina’s gasp was loud in the otherwise silent kitchen. “Why are you being so awful? I’ve given you everything, and I’ve been extremely patient with you, Mac, but I have my limits.” Her voice grew more and more shrill as she got worked up. “I’ve been incredibly understanding. Far more understanding than most women would be. When your mother told me you were in Paris, I didn’t?”
An icy shiver worked its way down my spine. “You went to see my mother?”
“Yes… Because I didn’t know where you were. She was really surprised about that once I explained how close we were.”
“And then, what? You came to Paris and followed me around for a few days? You must have done to know to come here. You realize how insane that is, don’t you?”
“I think,” Laurent cut in, “that this conversation isn’t going anywhere, that if you continue it, you’re both just going to end up upset. Can I talk to you alone, Katrina?”
She turned watery eyes on Laurent, staring at him for a few moments before giving a jerky nod.
“I don’t want you alone with her,” I said. “She could be dangerous.”
Laurent stood, Katrina following his lead. He took her gently by the arm and led her toward the bedroom. “I’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“I trust you. It’s her I don’t…” The bedroom door had already closed, rendering finishing my sentence pointless.
Time while they were both in there passed at a snail’s pace. I paced. Then, I tried listening at the door. But either the door was too thick, or their voices were too low. I googled the number to alert the emergency services in France because it paid to be prepared for any eventuality.
After waiting twenty minutes, I sat. That didn’t last long before I was on my feet again, nervous energy making it impossible to relax. What were they doing in there?
A couple of minutes shy of the twenty-five minute mark, the door finally opened. Katrina came out first with a smile on her face, closely followed by Laurent. When I took a step toward them, Laurent shook his head in a silent instruction. I took notice, staying where I was and watching as he escorted her toward the door. Katrina didn’t even look my way, never mind try to speak to me. A muted conversation happened at the door, and then she was gone.
Laurent turned and leaned back against the door, letting out a breath. “Close your mouth,” he said, “before something flies into it.”
“What did you say to her?”
“That’s between me and her.”
“No, seriously.”
“Seriously,” he said.
I waved a hand at the door at Laurent’s back. “She just left.”
“That’s what you wanted, right? I can call her back if it isn’t.”
“Don’t do that. It is what I wanted, but...”
