Free Paris (Entangle Me Book 4) by Maggie Way

done nothing wrong here. How dare you threaten my staff like that? I’m sick of your childish antics.” Tristan looks at us. “Come on guys, let’s catch a cab.”
    He rushes us forward but Victoria blocks us, she looks positively frightened at this point. “Noooo! Please, hear me out.”
    “Enough. I am going to spend some quality time with my staff, and Lacey—”
    “Okay, I’m sorry for what happened back there.” She turns to look at me, giving me a forced and fake smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get carried away. Is there any chance I can make amends for my behaviour? How about we all go for drinks in my hotel suite. It’s in the 19 th arrondissement and has the best views of Paris anywhere.”
    Gabe and I look at each other, confused as heck. Does she know my secret weakness or something?
“You know who will be there? Peter and Yvonne, remember them?” She emphasises their names loudly, making it sound like they are important people.
Tristan widens his eyes. “What are they doing here?”
“You don’t want to see one of the most powerful couples in New York? They miss you, perhaps they would want to hire you again?”
“I don’t know...” Tristan murmurs, looking unconvinced. “I don’t see any point of—”
He stops when I tap his arm. “It’s okay, go. Gabe and I will meet you at Moulin Rouge later alright?” I smile at him warmly. I’m not going to stop him from networking, even if his hesitation is clear.
    Tristan sighs loudly, turning to Victoria.
    “How long do I have to be there? I am not in the mood.”
    “Just one drink okay? I pinky promise!” Victoria nods eagerly, like some love sick puppy. God just take him already, I want to get out of here and never see the back of her again.
    I link arms with Gabe and fake a smile at them both. “Have fun guys!”
    “Lacey wait—!”
    Tristan’s cries go ignored as I rush Gabe down the street, making sure I don’t turn my head around.              
    ♦
     
    “Cheers!” Gabe tinkles his glass with mine, his raspberry-cognac sparkler clinking with my French Blonde cocktail. We are sitting in a quiet dimly lit bar on Rue Lepic , each of us on our second respective drinks for the evening. Sexy French music blares through the speakers and the crowd is a mix of young students, older businessmen and waif leggy blondes with big hair.
    Opting to quickly get changed at the hotel, I feel incredibly relaxed in a loose tank top, jeans and blazer, my hair down. Gabe scans the room, clearly enjoying the view of the handsome French men in their relaxed and effortless attire.
    “I swear the men are so much friendlier here, they actually want to talk to you instead of trying to get in your pants. And don’t even get me started on their accent. Swoon!” He takes a sip of his drink.
“Gosh, they are so charming, and complete gentlemen. And yes, the accents help big time on the charm factor. Even the chef, he pissed me off big time, but he was great to work with by the end.” I start to sip my drink.
    “Yeah, that’s because he wanted to get in your pants.”
    I almost choke on my drink, forcing myself to swallow a mouthful of grapefruit juice, gin, and Lillet Blanc. Damn these cocktails are strong. “As if!”
    “He asked you out, Tristan and I saw remember?”
Shaking my head, I giggle. “He was being friendly.”
    “Umm yeah, friendly to get you into bed with him. Were you interested?
    I shrug my shoulders. “I could barely understand him, the only words that came out of his mouth during the wedding that he spoke in English was ‘Stop!’, ‘Now!’ and ‘Hurry!’. So, I can’t say, either way I’m leaving in two days, I just want to rest. By the way, thanks for leaving me to fly back alone…again.”
    Gabe grins at me. “Sorry, hun, I’m not going to fly for a day and not take advantage of where I am! I can’t wait to see Berlin and Netherlands, are you sure you won’t want to join me?”
    “No,