And she would too. He’d have no chance against my jujitsu-proficient cousin. ‘It’s OK, Manon. I’m sure he’s not going to make us use brute force in an effort to get him to leave. But I’ll keep it in mind.’
Francois-Xavier rolls his eyes and I’m sure I hear Manon growl. She’s never liked the guy and is probably hoping she’ll get to throw him down and cut off his air supply. Still, it wouldn’t look good for business, even if we don’t officially open until tomorrow, and don’t have guests booked until the nineteenth. We’d wanted to host a party to celebrate the achievement, but there’s still so many odd jobs that need doing so we’ve shelved that plan for now.
Manon bares her teeth, like she’s a wild animal. It’s all I can do not to laugh. I squeeze her hand once more, but her expression must intimidate Francois-Xavier because he says, ‘Fine, I’ll go but can I at least call you?’
I give him a winning smile. ‘You can call my lawyer, would that help?’
‘Anais.’
‘Au revoir.’
He saunters out slowly, as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. ‘You should tell Ceecee what he’s up to,’ Manon says.
‘If he’s here, that means Ceecee dumped him.’
‘Oui, that’s probably true. What do you think his end game is?’
I shiver. ‘He’ll hope he can slot back into my life until a better offer comes along.’
Manon goes to the window. ‘Merde, he’s gone into Noah’s bar.’
My chest tightens. ‘You don’t think Noah will mention anything about suite nineteen, do you?’
Manon screws up her face. ‘He wouldn’t tell anyone; besides, he doesn’t know that’s your ex-husband, so I can’t see how anything about you, or the hotel, would come up at all.’
I’ll have to be careful. If he’s sniffing around and hears anything about the secret suites I’ll never get rid of him, and worse, he might try and get the hotel back. He’s got a free legal team on his side and I don’t have anything left to fight him with. ‘True. Let’s leave him to drown his sorrows. I’m sure he’ll be sitting at the bar, phone in hand, trying to find the next woman to fleece.’
Worry shines in Manon’s eyes. ‘I hope he doesn’t come back, but I’ve got a feeling he will. Look at this place. Most of the hard work has been done and he’ll imagine he can slide right in as hotelier.’
‘Over my dead body.’
‘Non. Over his.’
I laugh. ‘OK, I’m going to write. I’m on a roll and I don’t want to let him steal my good mood away.’
Manon narrows her eyes. ‘I noticed you were floating around, singing carols at the top of your lungs, flushed complexion. What’sthatabout?’
‘The joy of Christmas!’
‘Or is it the possibility of ending your bout of celibacy?’
‘Manon!’
‘Well? The signs are all there. You’re living in a daydream and your passion for writing about love has returned with a vengeance. What happened with Noah in suite nineteen today? You were gone for the longest time.’ She makes a bawdy gesture, which I duly ignore.
‘Not that it’s any of your business, but we kissed.’
She lets out a screech.
‘Shush! We don’t want Francois-Xavier to hear that and come running!’
‘Tell me everything or I’ll scream again.’
It’s my turn to narrow my eyes. The old Manon doesn’t do boy talk. Doesn’t do lengthy chats about anything so messy as feelings. ‘You want the details? That’s notlikeyou.’
She grins. ‘Isn’t it the worst being in love and then hoping that everyone around feels the same ridiculous giddiness? I hope I settle down soon. These feelings are intense andquitethe distraction.’
I smile. ‘It’s nice seeing you so happy.’
