Free Spiraling Deception by Noree Kahika Page B

definitely way-out-of-my-league
millionaire further, despite receiving a text message late the
previous night from him. I also decided not to think about the
imminent dinner we had planned for the evening. Today was my last
full day in Paris and I was determined to not let anything spoil
the day.
    Nevertheless, the text message I received
from Roman last night was undeniably sweet.
    The text read:
    * Trust Paris lived up to
all your expectations. Thinking countless thoughts of you,
Princess. R *
    The cornucopia of butterflies that fluttered
in my stomach while I’d read the message was entirely disconcerting
and if I were truthful with myself, I would’ve admitted that the
man had me utterly beguiled and totally intrigued.
    But I steadfastly stuck to my decision to
avoid any thoughts, honest or otherwise, regarding Roman Knight,
and I completely immersed myself in all things Parisian. Including
spending the afternoon with Courtney, exploring all the fantastic
shops on the Champs-Élysées while Jake took a day cruise along the
river Seine.
    “ Chanel,” breathed
Courtney with hushed reverence as we stood on the steps of the
world-renowned fashion brand. “Hurry up and finish that freaking
ice-cream cone, Charli. You don’t walk into Chanel slurping on ice
cream, for God’s sakes,” she hissed and scowled at me impatiently.
The way Courtney had said Chanel with such a profound admiration
had me rolling my eyes.
    “ Okay, okay, sheesh! Don’t
get your pearls in a knot, you couture addict.”
    An hour later, Courtney decided on a pair of
small Chanel earrings (the only item she could afford in the
expensive boutique) and while they were being gift wrapped, Court
dragged me upstairs to partake of complimentary champagne the eager
French saleswoman offered us in commemoration of Courtney’s
purchase. I happily took pictures of Courtney sipping bubbly while
lounging across a cream velvet chaise in Chanel. Court reciprocated
the celebratory shots when I purchased a small clutch (the only
item I could afford) in Louis Vuitton. What could I say—it was the
Louis Vuitton flagship store in Paris, the bubbly was good, and
although I wasn’t as devout to all things designer like Courtney, I
was a girl and what girl didn’t love her some Louis?
    By six o’clock, we finally made it back to
the hotel, loaded with bags of shopping (mostly Courtney’s,
although I caved and bought a few souvenirs for myself) and I was
beginning to get a serious case of the jitters with my impending
dinner date with Roman.
    “ Shit, Court, I don’t know
if I should do this.” My voice rose in panic. As I pressed the
button to our floor in the hotel elevator, I turned to Court. “I
think I’m going to text him and cancel. With our flight home in the
morning so early, having an early night would be good.”
    “ Oh no you don’t!” she
snapped, her expression stern as she fisted her hands on her hips.
The shopping bags rustled around her.
    “ You’re in Paris. It’s
your last night here, Charli, and you are not going to back your
way out of a date with a guy just because you’re anxious. And
especially when that guy is so hot he’d melt an iceberg by just
looking at it. I won’t allow it! Besides, it’s just dinner, not a
lifetime commitment. For Christ’s sakes, go out—have a little fun
for once in your life.”
    “ What do you mean ‘once in
my life’? I have fun all the time,” I shot back. My eyes narrowed
into slits. Her words had instantly stung me but I wasn’t a hermit
by any means.
    In contrast, Courtney’s brows rose in a
knowing glare as she crossed her arms across her chest. “You may
have fun with me and Jake but when was the last time you let loose
and had some fun with a guy? I can’t even remember the last time
you went on a date.”
    She waited and tapped her foot for my reply
while I mulled over her words. When was the last time I went on an
actual date? Sometime during the last year of college I think,