Parisian Nights

by Louise Bay

  “I’m sorry about that,” I said to Louis.

  “It is no problem, princess. I’m delighted to see Mr. Harrison. It’s a shame he doesn’t feel the same way.”

  Nineteen

  Jake

  I hadn’t seen Romano since I’d punched him for getting Beth pregnant and then throwing five grand at her, and telling her to get an abortion.

  I wasn’t sure if I could leave Haven with him, but I couldn’t tell her what he had done to Beth. She’d begged me not to tell a soul and we’d never mentioned it again. I couldn’t betray her secret.

  “Jake, can you take a few shots of us meeting. Is that okay, Louis?” Haven asked.

  “Whatever you need,” Romano replied grinning at Haven.

  He was a slimy prick. And Haven was right, I was jealous that he was the one who got to take her out. I couldn’t see a solution short of hoisting Haven over my shoulder, and getting us both out of there.

  I nodded at Haven, ignored Romano and started to take some shots. I didn’t say a word, just captured whatever was in front of me. Louis took her hand and kissed her knuckles again. Haven didn’t seem to mind—in fact she smiled as though she enjoyed his gesture. Perhaps she was trying to irritate me. It was working.

  “Okay, Jake, do you have everything?” Haven asked.

  I nodded.

  “So the first part of our date this evening is a ride on the Eye. London’s sunset is beautiful from up high. Will you join me, Haven?” Romano held out his elbow and Haven tucked her arm through his.

  “I think I should come as well. The views will make a great backdrop for a shot,” I said.

  I could see Haven’s brain ticking away, but before she had a chance to say anything Romano said, “I’ve arranged for you to be in the capsule next to ours. That way, I get to have some time alone with this beautiful creature and you get your photograph.”

  “Well, that’s settled then,” Haven said as Louis led her to the entrance.

  Romano had organized two capsules solely for our use. He and Haven got in first. A champagne bucket and glasses were set up inside the pod. I willed Haven to look at me, to give me some sign that she didn’t want to go with him. I wanted to get her away from the asshole, but I risked her turning on me and telling me to leave if I said anything else.

  The doors to their capsule closed and I looked on helplessly. At least there was nothing he could do to her physically. The capsule had a 360-degree view, which provided me with some comfort. I didn’t think he’d hurt her, just successfully create a mask for himself so she couldn’t see what he was really like, which to me, was as dangerous.

  I stepped into my capsule and watched him as he poured her champagne. She was smiling, unaware of the poison so close to her.

  As the wheel turned slowly, they were out of sight of my pod for over ten minutes. I spent the time pacing from one end of my capsule to the other. Each step brought clarity to my feelings for Haven. I was undeniably jealous and if I thought about it rationally, I knew Haven would eventually see through Romano. He wasn’t the real problem. Any guy she could be serious about was who I was concerned about.

  When they came back in to view, Romano stood behind Haven, too close, pointing out the window.

  Nausea washed over me, and I had to stop myself from banging on the glass.

  When I stepped out into the fresh air at the end of the journey, I couldn’t see Haven immediately. I scanned the heads of tourists and finally saw her, her hand in Louis’ as they headed back to where the cab had dropped her off.

  I ran toward them. “Hey, wait up,” I shouted.

  Haven stopped and turned. “Sorry, we were talking. I didn’t realize we’d walked so far.”

  Romano grinned at me. He had been trying to lose me, no doubt. I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to look at me, let alone try to hit on a woman in front of me, when I knew everything about him.

  “I have dinner waiting at my hotel. I’m not sure Mr. Harrison needs to join us,” Romano said.

  Haven glanced at me and I had to hold myself back. My heart was beating out of my chest and my eyes flicked between Haven and Romano.

  “I’d love to capture some photographs in the hotel, if that’s okay with you. Just at the beginning, and then we can let Jake go on and enjoy the rest of his evening,” Haven said, and my chest sank with relief.

  “As you wish,” Romano replied. “I’m afraid I didn’t take into account more than one passenger, Mr. Harrison. You’ll have to find your own way to the Dorchester.”

  A canary-yellow Ferrari pulled up and the driver got out and handed Louis a set of keys. Surely Haven would see straight through him as soon as she saw his car. If she thought my car was a fuckmobile, what would she think of his?

  “Your carriage awaits, my princess,” Romano said, holding the passenger door open for her.

  Before Louis had rounded the hood to get into the driver’s seat, I’d flagged down a taxi.

  “We need to go to the Dorchester, but if we could take the same route as that banana on wheels, I would appreciate it,” I said to the cab driver.

  “The Dorchester’s not a problem, mate,” he said. “But I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to keep up with that thing. It might be ugly, but it’s worth a few bob. If it were mine, I’d get my mate, Gary, to respray it,” he said as he pulled out after them.

  Predictably, Romano sped off and did everything he could to outdrive us.

  It worked. We lost them within minutes.

  When we arrived at the Dorchester, I leapt out of the cab and ran into the lobby, looking left and right.

  “Jake.” I spun around to find Haven behind me.

  “There you are. Thank God.”

  “You need to calm down. Louis might be a bit over the top, but he seems harmless.”

  I shook my head. “He’s anything but. The sooner you’re out of here, the better. Where is he, anyway?” I asked.

  “Trying to arrange a dinner reservation. He’d planned to have it served in his suite, but I said I didn’t think that was such a good idea.”

  “Presumptive prick,” I said.

  “Seriously, Jake, calm down. He’s a typical Italian. He’s a bit flash and is used to getting his own way.”

  “Yes, things I would have thought you’d hate.”

  “Jesus, I’m not marrying the guy. I’m having dinner with him. For work. Will you stop already?”

  Romano returned. “I’ve arranged the perfect table. Will you be joining us, Mr. Harrison?” he asked, his eyebrow raised in my direction.

  “Do you want to do some photographs at the table?” Haven asked.

  I shook my head. “I’ll take some as you walk in.”

  After I’d taken a few shots, they went into the restaurant and I started pacing up and down the lobby. I didn’t know whether I should stay and wait for them to finish their dinner, or leave them to it. I couldn’t bear the thought of him or anyone anywhere near Haven. I decided to wait.

  I counted every minute that they were gone. I passed the restaurant several times, but couldn’t see them from the door. I took a seat in the lobby and kept my eye on the entrance. Various staff members eyed me suspiciously, and a couple asked if they could assist me, but I shooed them away and kept waiting.

  Finally, I saw them emerge. Romano had his arm clasped around her waist, pulling her toward him, and kissing her knuckles again. Haven looked unusually relaxed. Jesus, didn’t she see what a penis this guy was?

  “I’m sorry, I have an early start tomorrow, but thank you for the offer,” Haven said as they walked toward me.

  I stood up and Haven’s eyes met mine. She didn’t look angry or pleased that I was still there. At that moment, neutral would do.

  “I’d love you to see this new Renoir that I bought. Are you sure I can’t tempt you?” Jesus, he wasn’t subtle, was he?

  “Another time, perhaps,” Haven replied.

  “You’ll have to show her your etchings another evening, Romano. I�
�m here to see Haven gets home safely,” I said. There was no way Haven was going up to his room.

  Romano turned to me. “Is this what you’re reduced to now, Harrison? Loitering in hotel lobbies?”

  I ignored him.

  “My driver will see you home, my princess,” Romano said.

  “Haven and I will be fine in a cab,” I said. I pulled her elbow, trying to put some distance between her and Romano.

  “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Louis,” Haven said.

  “I look forward to Saturday,” he replied as I led Haven toward the exit.

  Blood thundered through my veins and I had to be careful not to tighten my already forceful grip around Haven’s elbow.

  “Saturday? Are you serious?” I asked her as we got into the fresh air.

  “Let go of me, Jake.” Haven twisted away from me and I dropped my hand.

  “What about Saturday, Haven?” I asked again.

  “He wants to take me out again.” She indicated to the doorman that she needed a cab.

  “And you said yes?” What was she thinking? Did she like him?

  “Yes, I said yes. What is your problem with him?” she asked. She sounded confused and I couldn’t blame her. I couldn’t tell her what Romano was really like—I needed her to trust me.

  She started to climb into the cab and I quickly followed her.

  “What are you doing? Get out!”

  “I’m making sure you get home okay.” I was pissed that another guy, and Romano at that, had gotten to spend his evening with her. It should have been me, so I wanted to be the one to see her home. I could at least have that.

  “Jake, you’re not my dad. Get out.”

  I gave the cab driver Haven’s address and we started moving. She sat as far away from me as possible, looking out the window. I could deal with that. As long as I knew she was safe and with me. Even if she was angry, I could live with that.

  We drove along in silence until I couldn’t bear it any longer.

  “The guy is a joke,” I said snappily.

  “You’re the joke,” she replied. She sounded resigned to the fact.

  “Haven.”

  She turned to me. “I mean it. You’ve acted like a complete jerk this evening. Louis was fine—a little sleazy but tolerable. You, on the other hand . . . you should trust me. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need rescuing.”

  “Haven.”

  “What? Stop saying my name like you have some kind of hold over me.”

  “I think you have that the wrong way around.” Haven’s hold on me seemed to be increasing. She was right. I had been a prick and I hadn’t trusted her. There was a foundation for my concern, but most of my actions tonight had been about my feelings for Haven. I was angry at Romano and what he had done to my sister, but I was angrier at myself. I’d let Haven go so easily. Beth had been right, I’d not fought hard enough for her and now I didn’t know how to get back in the game.

  Twenty

  Haven

  In the back of the cab with Jake, on the way back from my date with Romano, I couldn’t figure out why Jake was behaving so out of character. It was confusing but at the same time, I loved that he was so determined to protect me.

  “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

  I continued to stare out the window, acutely aware of the space, or lack of, between us. He’d seemed to grow physically bigger during his interactions with Romano. “It’s okay,” I said eventually. “I do trust you.” Jake had been so spooked by Romano it was difficult to ignore his concerns, even if I didn’t know exactly what they were. I wanted him to tell me; I wanted to know everything about Romano . . . but also about Jake. I was hungry for information, hungry for him. “But I need to get this article written. Robert is relying on me.”

  “Haven,” he whispered. I turned to him, watching his full lips try to say something.

  The cab jolted to a halt and the driver sounded his horn.

  I clambered out and turned back to Jake. “I’m sorry, too,” I said. Did he know I wasn’t just talking about today? Did he realize that I regretted pushing him away?

  His eyes widened and he drew a breath. I closed the door, my eyes still fixed to his and the taxi sped off.

  As the cab drove into the distance, I watched, a thousand things I wanted to say and no one to listen.

  The next morning I was on speakerphone with Ash while I got dressed for work. I was bored with my work wardrobe and I couldn’t decide what to wear.

  “You still like him,” she said.

  “And you’ve been dreaming about Channing Tatum. It doesn’t mean you’re going to do anything about it.”

  “If I knew Channing Tatum and he wasn’t married, I would totally do something about it.”

  “This conversation is ridiculous. Can we change the subject?”

  “It’s early. That’s what’s ridiculous. So how was the millionaire Italian?”

  “Short. A little over the top. But I have to have the Saturday date with him because the other two aren’t available and we need to get this story in.”

  “You’ll have Licky Jake there though, won’t you?” Ash asked.

  “Yeah, but Louis is pretty pushy. I think he’ll try to get me on his own, away from Jake. I can handle him, though. And Jake won’t let anything happen to me.”

  “That’s so shady. Do you think he was going to try to shag you?”

  I shrugged as I held up two skirts that looked almost identical. “I don’t know. I guess. It doesn’t matter—I wouldn’t fall for all his over-used charm. It’s weird that Jake would think I would.”

  “Be careful and make sure you’re always in a public place with him. Who’s tonight’s victim?”

  “Mark from Brentwood in Essex is my date tonight.”

  Ash started laughing. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to have to hoist those boobies past your ears to keep up with the girls he’s used to.”

  I giggled. Girls from Essex had a reputation for making the most of their assets. “I think I might have to have a boob job before this evening.”

  I was being careful about what I was wearing today. I was going straight from work, which was a bit of an issue as my work outfits were, well, drab. I was also aware that I would be seeing Jake again today. Other than saying he would meet me at the office at six this evening, I’d not seen him since he dropped me off after my date with Romano. I was looking forward to seeing him, despite knowing that was against my better judgment. I wanted him to forgive me for pushing him away. It was too much to hope for anything else.

  “What about my black shift with the chiffon sleeves?” I asked Ash. I wasn’t dressing for Mark from Brentwood—I wanted to look good for Jake.

  “That’s stepping it up for work, much more like it.”

  “Only because I have this date afterward. Everything will be back to normal tomorrow.” I pulled the dress from my closet. It was still wrapped in the plastic cover from the dry cleaners.

  “You’re wearing your hair down?”

  “I’ll take it down for the date.” Of course I would, Jake liked it down.

  “Live a little,” Ash said as she sighed in exasperation.

  “I have to go. Love you.”

  “Love you, bye.” I canceled the call, threw the phone on my bed and ripped open the plastic.

  I zipped up the side of my black dress. It worked. Jake would like it.

  “Have you canceled Saturday with Romano?” Jake asked as he walked up to me in the office lobby. We were both early.

  “And hello to you, Jake.”

  “I mean it, Haven. You need to cancel.”

  “You know full well I can’t move Louis. I’m up against a deadline. I’m having to write this up on Sunday as it is.” I was pretty sure Louis was harmless, but Jake was so dead set against me going near him, it unnerved me. “But I won’t go anywhere without you. I promise. And he said I should bring a passport, so I guess you should too.”

  “He said what? Fucking hell,
Haven, are you kidding me? Can’t I take you for your Saturday night date?”

  “Please calm down. What do you think he’s going to do? Sell me into slavery? And no, I can’t date you for this article. Unless you’ve been keeping things from me, you’re not a member of Glass Introductions and I don’t manipulate the facts. End of story. Please try to work with me on this?”

  “You are impossible,” he said, rolling his eyes.

  I swiped him across his abs. My hand hit granite. Our eyes met as I touched him and his face softened.

  “If he’s bought you a ticket somewhere, and not me, you aren’t going.”

  I was prepared for the ultimatum, and I was okay with it. I did trust him, and if he felt this strongly then I needed to listen to him. “You have yourself a deal.”

  “We have a deal?” Jake seemed surprised. “Okay then.”

  We headed outside and Jake flagged down a cab. I gave the driver the address of the restaurant where Mark said he’d meet me.

  “So who’s the chump tonight?” Jake asked.

  “We don’t say chump in the UK, you’ll have to translate.”

  “I don’t know, someone gullible, a general douche?”

  “And Mark is a chump because he’s agreed to go on a date with me?”

  “No. He’s a chump because it’s an entirely futile evening for him. You’re mine.”

  What? Had I heard him correctly? For once in my life, I was left with nothing to say. I had run out of snark. I didn’t want to contradict him. I wanted to turn over the possibility of belonging to him in my head and look at it from different angles. Could it be true? Would it be true?

  The rest of the journey continued in silence. I wanted to ask him what he’d meant, but every time I tried to form a sentence, it came out wrong. I stole glimpses of him a couple of times, studying the contours of his jaw, my gaze sliding over lips that could do things to me that I’d never known before him.