Chapter 8
Hannah slumped into the seat with a groan. “This time you’re going to be the one to call me a tease.”
“That doesn’t sound promising.”
“No, I want to—it’s just that I went to a bit of trouble to get the last stop on our tour set up and some people are waiting, so…”
“People?” My stomach plunged at the thought. Did she know? Had she arranged some sycophantic party so she could show meoff?
“Just a friend from high school and his coworkers. His wife has been my friend since forever, and I twisted a few arms and got an amazing opportunity lined up for us. I kinda don’t want to miss it.”
Some of the tension leaked from my frame as I felt my rigid expression soften. “What is it?”
“I don’t want to spoil the surprise. But believe me, it’ll be worth it. Memorable.”
“Well, I’venever been one to disappoint a lady—despite what you might think. But I want it on record that this time you’re the one passing up the sure thing.”
“Rain check?” Hannah gave me a heart-melting smile that I couldn’t resist.
I leaned over and captured her lips for a quick then not-so-quick kiss. Once we were both trembling again, I pulled back. “I will hold you to that.”
“You do that,” she whispered.
I reached forward and tapped Étienne on the shoulder. “We’re ready to go to the next destination.”
“Back to the hotel,monsieur?” Étienne asked like he hadn’t been eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Non,”I replied. “Ms. Allen has the address of our next stop.”
“Oui, monsieur.”Étienne’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror and despite the darkened interior I could read the question in hiseyes. No doubt he, like the guards in the other security vehicle, thought I’d lost my mind. I couldn’t explain, either, but I certainly wasn’t going to apologize for it.
Hannah rattled off the address, and after Étienne pulled over to input the address in the sat nav and did some covert texting with the other SUV, we were off. Unlike our first trip in the car, this time Hannah snuggled closeto my side, clearly at ease in my presence.
“It’s awesome that they matched you with a French-speaking driver,” Hannah said into my arm as the streetlights flashed through the cab.
“Mmmmm,” I murmured. It didn’t exactly feel good to be lying to her over and over again, so I tried for the non-reply. But Hannah was in the mood for small talk.
“Did you have to ask or did the hotel just know?”
“My, er, boss took care of all the arrangements.” Technically that wasn’t a lie. But I didn’t want to continue down this road of deception, so I deflected. “What do you do on a typical Friday night?”
“I don’t know. Depends. I might stream some movies at home with a tub of ice cream, or if Rachel or I need a pick-me-up we’ll go sing karaoke or play pool. Some weekends I hang out with my family—letmy mom harangue me about my life choices.”
“Every time? And you go over voluntarily?”
“No, usually my dad will call and give me a guilt trip about how they never see me. Then I show up and remember why it took me so long to visit in the first place.”
I chuckled in sympathy.
Hannah moved her head slightly on my shoulder as she sighed. “What’s a typical Friday night for you?”
I thought of allthe charity galas and boring speeches I usually attended and had to suppress my shudder. It wasn’t like I could tell Hannah as much. I shifted uncomfortably. “Like you, it depends. I might hang with the guys I work with.” Code for driving around with my security detail. “Or I might go have dinner with my family—my brother or mother—although not so much anymore.”
“I feel like you’re hiding somethingfrom me.”
My nervous fidgeting stopped as I froze in my seat. Without thinking I replied in French.“Qu’est-ce que c’est?”
“Huh?” Hannah sat up and looked at me, but I couldn’t see her face in the dark SUV. She shook her head. “I meant women. I mean, come on. A guy like you…You have to have broken a million hearts back in Monaco and you want me to believe you’ve been having dinner at home withyour mom?”
