Despite herself, Shiloh was enjoying working with Benoit more than she wanted to admit. Yes, he was an arrogant S.O.B., but he was also a good listener. They would argue, but it was always about substantive things, never petty or small-minded. Shiloh would give her opinion and then Benoit would pick it to pieces for good and bad points and vice versa. And from the ashes of their arguments, a solid ethos, an ideal, was created.
Shiloh conceded that the apartment block onBoulevard Coutanceswas ideally placed, but she talked Benoit into making it low-price housing for the Parisians who needed to commute into the city center for work, rather than more luxury penthouses for the uber-rich. They spent days together planning new green spaces for the city and even Shiloh’s implacable boss, Miriam, was pleased.
One particular Thursday, Shiloh had been working late when Benoit knocked at the door of the office he had loaned her. “Come, let’s go eat.”
Shiloh shook her head. “I have to finish this; I’m not in tomorrow.”
“Playing hooky?”
Shiloh grinned. “Kind of. Moving house; I finally have my own place.”
“Congrats. Look, what is it you’re working on?”
She showed him and, smiling, he shook his head. “We won’t even close on that land for three weeks. Come, let’s go eat, and you can tell me about your new place.”
Shiloh realized she was actually starving. And so, twenty minutes later, they were seated at her favorite burger joint. Shiloh sipped her soda, feeling the cold wash of the liquid on her tongue and the sugary rush hitting her system. “This was a good idea, Benoit.” She studied him. He had pulled his tie down and opened his collar, and had shrugged out of his jacket.
As Shiloh had gotten to know him, she had wondered how she had ever thought he could be soulless. She was ashamed now of accusing him of being something so generic. She had Googled him and found a wealth of information—not least that his band of brothers, The Midnight Club, were the most important people in his life. She had scrolled through pages of photographs and never had he looked more animated or happier than with his friends. There were women, of course, of all types but only one woman had cropped up on more than one occasion, a woman called Marcella. She had looked regal and intelligent, and Shiloh couldn’t help but be a little envious. She seemed like an important person to Benoit. Her curiosity got the better of her now, and she smiled at him.
“Who is Marcella? She seems important to you.”
Benoit looked surprised and then, hiding a grin, he nodded. “She is a good friend, a very good friend. She is traveling at the moment.”
“So, she and you …?.” She let the question hanging. Her face was burning, but Benoit shook his head.
“No, it’s not like that. Well, I mean, itis, but we are not a couple, just friends.”
“With benefits?”Shut up,Shiloh told herself sharply.It’s none of your business.
“If you like. There is no commitment between us, but she will always be important. How about you? Are you dating?”
Shiloh shook her head. “No time.”
“Come on, now.” Benoit leveled his gaze at her. “You are a beautiful woman. You must have admirers?”
Shiloh shrugged. “If I do, they’re not known to me.”
There was a long silence. “I can think of one right now.”
Shiloh’s flush deepened and to break the tension, she glanced at her watch. “Hey, look, this has been fun, but I have a really busy day tomorrow.”
Benoit smiled. “What time do you need me there?”
Shiloh blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m offering my services; I’ve moved house more times than most.” Benoit held up his big hands. “Plus, you know, I have that buff thing going for me.” In anyone else’s mouth it would have sounded arrogant and ridiculous, but the playful gleam in his eyes made her laugh.
“Then how can I refuse, Mr. Buff?”
“I am strong like bull.” And he flexed his biceps. Shiloh burst out laughing.
“See you at eight a.m., then.
The next morningwhen her doorbell rang, Shiloh felt a thrill go through her and she yanked the door open to see Benoit waiting with a smile on his face.
“Good morning.”
The soft growl of his voice made her heart beat faster. “Come on in,” she said, covering her sudden shyness. His big frame seemed to fill the small apartment. Liv stuck her head out of her bedroom and said hi to him, while giving Shiloh a conspiratorial look, and Shiloh suddenly remembered what her friend had said about Heloise having dated Benoit back in the day.Shoot. She didn’t have time to react though, as Heloise came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, and stopped, gaping at Benoit.
