Chapter 33 #2
After we have dinner with my parents and I say goodbye, Bren takes me to the airport. I take in Los Angeles as we drive.
He takes a detour. “We’re making one last stop before you go.”
“Make it quick.”
“That part is up to you.”
I peer over at him. “Why?”
“Cash, Hawke, and Cooper are at our old stomping grounds. I’m supposed to meet up with them after I drop you off, but I thought it would be cool if we stopped by and surprised Cash. Seeing you one last time would give him something to focus on while we finish the tour.”
“I don’t know if this is a good idea, Bren.”
“You already told me if he proves to you he’s serious about cleaning up his act, you’ll give him another chance. Do this and give him some hope.”
My stomach spins and I smile. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
We get to the dive bar where they’re hanging out and go inside to surprise him. I glance around, looking for him.
Laughs too loud surround me. Smeared lipstick across his lips burns my eyes and my heart gets crushed once again.
He’s lounging in a chair and there’s a woman sitting on his lap. She’s got her tongue down his throat.
His hand slides up her thigh and stops when it gets to her ass. He squeezes it and she breaks away. She says something to him and he nips at her lip.
Why did I think he’d change? I turn and run into Bren.
He’s frozen in shock but shakes it off. “Livianna, I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d—”
“It’s been less than twelve hours since he had that same mouth on mine.” I step around Bren and leave.
He follows me. “He’s such a prick.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I knew he couldn’t go long before something happened. It’s better I learned that now.”
It’s been a month since I arrived in Paris and I’m finally done organizing my place.
It’s costing me a fortune, but I don’t care because it’s located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, close to the Champs-Elysées. It’s a fashion designer’s dream location.
I text my mom on my US phone. I have a new one just for Paris with a local number. It makes me feel more official for some strange reason.
Me: I’m settled now and packing away this phone. If you need me, you’ll only be able to reach me with my Paris number.
Mom: Okay, darling. I understand. Are you sure I can’t give your contact information to Brendan?
Me: Yes. I don’t want him to be tempted to give it to Callum. Bren can call my US number and leave me messages there. Don’t worry. I still plan on checking in with him from time to time. It’s just better this way.
Mom: If you insist.
Me: I do. Au revoir, maman.
Mom: Goodbye, Livianna. I love you.
Me: Je t’aime aussi, maman.
I power down the phone and place it inside a drawer of the small desk that’s next to the bed in the spare bedroom.
I’m using the space as an office and an area to lay out my ideas, but this apartment came furnished, so I have a bed instead of a workspace.
The weather is perfect, so I decide to go on a walk along the Seine River and head toward the Louvre. There’s a beautiful scenic path I like to stroll down.
I’m about to go down to the lower embankment from the top-level walkway when I see him. Jaxon Crowne is talking on his phone as he sits on a bench under a tree with browning leaves.
My heart races as I approach him. I get right in his line of sight and wave.
It takes him a second to compute that it’s me. “Natalie, I need to call you back. I just ran into an old friend.”
At least this time he didn’t refer to me as young.
He hangs up, with his eyes wide. “Livianna, what are you doing here?”
“Bonjour, Jax. It seems fate has intervened.” I flash him a smile laced with seduction. At least I hope it comes across that way. “Can I get a welcoming hug?”
“Of course. You just caught me off guard.” He takes me in an embrace. “Are you in town visiting?”
His amazing scent engulfs me along with his powerful hold.
I suppress a whimper. “No, I moved here.”
He pushes me away from his chest but keeps a grip on my arms. His mysterious brown eyes sweep over me and then connect with my hopeful gaze.
“You live here now?” he asks. “That’s…unexpected.”
“I’m here for the foreseeable future.”
“Why did you move here?”
“It’s one of the best fashion cities in the world, but that’s not the only reason.” I shrug. “Since you demand honesty, I’ll let you in on a secret.”
His brows pinch together. “What’s that?”
“I was planning on reaching out to you. I even found a place to rent near your office, hoping I’d run into you.”
“Me?” He releases me. “Why?”
“Can we talk about it while we walk, or do you have more pressing matters to attend to?”
“Um…” He checks his watch. “I’m meeting someone for lunch in about ten minutes.”
Bravery zooms through my blood. “Business or pleasure?”
“Pleasure. Uh…no.” He shakes his head. “I mean, business.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I got tripped up for a moment.”
“In that case, I’ll walk you there. You can lead the way.”
“Yeah, okay. That could work.” He motions to the sidewalk. “It’s a short distance from here.”
We stroll along, side by side. The walkway is narrow, so we stay close together.
I glance at him. “I came here to get new ideas for my company.”
“Moving to Paris seems extreme just to get a fresh direction. You could’ve just visited.”
“I wanted to immerse myself here.”
“Livianna, I don’t know you that well, but something tells me there’s more to this than you’re admitting to.”
My cheeks burn and I lower my head. “There is.”
He stops and turns in my direction. “Then just tell me what you hope to accomplish.”
I swallow my embarrassment and square my shoulders. “My business is at a standstill and I need your help.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He softens his stance. “How can I assist you?”
“I’m not looking for a handout. Really. I want to build a wildly successful brand on my own. I want strategy, not safety nets.” My pulse accelerates. “When I meditate, your face appears in the quiet.”
“You meditate now?”
“Yeah, I even got some books on destiny and fate. I think you’re on to something, and if not, it’s a good feeling to have each day.”
“What feeling is that?”
“That I can find a simple path to reach my destiny if I follow my intuition. I’ve already screwed it up once and I’m still hanging on. It makes me believe I’m meant to do this fashion thing.”
He smiles and his whole demeanor lights up. “In that case, let’s figure out how I can help.”
“Oh, that’s great news!” My phone beeps. “That’s odd. Only my mom has this number, and I just got done texting with her.”
I pull it out and read her message. My hands shake and tears spring from my eyes. I read the message again.
“Jax, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
“What’s wrong, Livianna?”
“I need to get back to California.” My heart crashes to the ground, and I shove my phone into my jeans pocket. “I’ll be in touch when I get back.”
Jax takes hold of my arms in a tight but comforting grip. “Why do you look like someone just died?”
“Because someone did.”
The Bitter Words tore through the unbreakable.