Chapter 40
WHAT A GIRL WANTS
ELOISE
“You must discover what you want,” Constance said over dinner. “Both of you must. You’re getting to the point in your careers where you have mobility. Do not let anyone tell you what is possible.”
Her words took me by surprise.
“I guess I didn’t think about it like that since we’re so young,” I said.
“Yes, dear. That’s the takeaway. You should never stay at a job that doesn’t fill your cup. It sounds like you took a job you like better.”
“The benefits are,” Monique snickered.
I kicked her under the table.
“Monique, what aren’t you telling me?” I asked. “Your mom keeps going on about this and I know more is going on.”
Monique let out a long sigh. “I have a chance to take a senior buyer position at Delphine’s. But moving to London—from Paris—it feels so scary.”
I lit up like a kid on Christmas. Having my best friend back with me was amazing. She’d do a wonderful job working at a high-end department store.
“You like London. And we’d be inseparable! We could move in together! I’m looking for a flat right now.”
“See. Would that not be lovely?” Julian asked.
“She’s seeing someone and he doesn’t want her to move,” Constance said. “But he refuses to commit.”
“Tomas?” I asked.
Monique blushed.
“I thought he was done-zo, Mo?”
She winced. “But he’s back-zo now. And he swears he wants to make it work.”
Constance rolled her eyes.
“Mo, if it is meant to be, then it will be. London is a short train journey. And he’s a musician. London has a better music scene.”
He was a “musician” as I would say. Tomas was a commitmentaphobe who refused to “settle” even for someone as fabulous as Monique.
I suspected his parents being racist had a lot to do with it.
They never liked her. She was well-educated, had impeccable manners, successful, smart, and caring.
Her parents were lovely people. Yet, his treated her like shit.
They were wealthy French people who felt Monique’s mother was less-than for being raised in Senegal and that both were a shade too dark to invite for dinner.
“I know, I know. And I will go out for an interview in a week.”
“Okay, well, if that is the case, I will find a way back to London and give you the time of your life, so you never want to leave!” I declared.
“See!” Julian said. “See! Listen to Ella! She is right.”
I vowed to convince Mo. I had to! I was spitballing ideas when we were interrupted.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” a waiter said. “But you have been sent a bottle of champagne. Would you like to accept it?”
Julian furrowed his brow. “Who sent it?”
“The Prince of Wales, sir.”
I looked across the dining room towards a window. Duncan nodded, watching like he was fucking Gatsby. God damn him! I knew he wasn’t stalking me since I had gone radio silent after our hookup earlier. However, it was cheeky to send us champagne.
“Well, of course,” Julian said, clearly flattered.
I shook my head.
“My boss,” I sighed.
“Well, I will be glad to accept his offer,” Monique said. “I need you in London, okay? No interlopers.”
“No interlopers,” I promised.
That meant no Duncan booty calls. I could make it work.
The expensive champagne was good, but most champagne tasted the same to me. We decided to stay for dessert, mostly because I refused to let up before I had my cake. Constance knew this and ordered enough for all. She was insistent even after Julian whined about being tired. I loved her for it.
And that was when we had an interruption.
“I am so sorry to bother you all.” Duncan appeared.
People never flew out of their seats so fast, but I didn’t budge.
“No, no, don’t bother,” Duncan insisted. “I interrupted your party. I just wanted to say hello. I’m nosy and have heard nothing but good things from Miss Mills.”
Everyone stared. I needed to introduce him.
“Your Royal Highness, this is my best friend, Monique Vincent, and her wonderful parents Constance and Julian. Everyone, this is my boss, The Prince of Wales.”
“Call me Duncan. I am to understand you are basically family of Miss Mills? And I hated that dreadful title business,” Duncan said, sweet as pie.
I wanted to smack him for interrupting my evening if only because this was a big stretch. My worlds were crashing into one another and I didn’t like it.
“Lovely to meet you,” Constance said.
Julian nodded in agreement.
“You are a mystery to me as she never speaks about you. Says everything she does is top secret,” Monique said. “So thank you for breaking the ice.”
“Yes, well, she’s beholden to our wall of secrets. And, clearly, is a trusted member of the inner circle. We are very lucky to have her. I don’t know what I would do without Eloise.”
I flushed bright red and kicked Monique. She was about to dissolve into a fit of girlish giggles, and I wanted to avoid it.
“Well, enjoy the rest of your meal,” Duncan said. “Nice meeting you all.”
“He seems very kind,” Constance said. “Not what I expected.”
“He isn’t what anyone expects.” I left it there.