It was all he could say and all that he wanted to say. He exploded like a rocket, every ounce of his energy zapped in an instant. But he was far from being satisfied.
It wasn’t wise to pursue a new relationship. Not with all that he had on his plate. It was too late for that. He was closing chapters in his life, not starting new ones. It wouldn’t be fair for him or her. Yet, he had to see her again. Even though reason and common sense told him to stay away, his heart and body had plans of their own.
Gisella opened her shop bright and early Monday morning. It was a new day, and she was determined to put yesterday’s embarrassment to the back of her mind.
But it wasn’t working—just like it hadn’t worked yesterday.
There was a serious issue at play here. The craziness that she couldn’t tell the difference between a fantasy and a real man standing in her living room was too disturbing.
Two of Gisella’s part-time workers, Krista and Pamela, darted wary glances Gisella’s way every time she’d slammed down a pot or dropped a tray of eggs. They had never seen her like this, and with all the mumbling Gisella kept doing they were too afraid to ask what was wrong.
After making one too many mistakes, Gisella snapped. “Okay! So you kissed him.” She slammed her fist into a pile of flour and caused an atomic white mushroom cloud to cover her face.
Krista and Pamela crept toward the front of store in case their boss turned postal. Death by chocolate didn’t sound so cute today.
Choking and waving the flour from her face, Gisella turned and marched to the large walk-in cooler to calm down. By the time Isabella breezed through a few hours later, Gisella had pulled herself together and was at least managing to get some of her recipes right.
Isabella reviewed a few spreadsheet issues with her, but by the time she left the shop, Gisella realized that she hadn’t heard a single word the woman said.
Gisella sailed into the afternoon, edgy and distracted. Edgy because she thought everyone knew what she’d done and distracted because Charlie’s phone number was burning a hole in her pocket. She was supposed to give the number to her sister last night when she called but she never quite got around to doing it. Not that she didn’t have the opportunity, it’s just that, well, she wasn’t exactly comfortable with her sister calling her…what? Fantasy lover?
She did, however, casually bring up his name. This time she listened carefully to what her sister said as well as what she didn’t say. Anna couldn’t be baited; she just smoothly changed the subject.
What did that mean?
Were Charlie and her sister an item back in college? That thought was more troubling than the kiss. She dropped another pan, cursed a blue streak—both in French and in English.
Krista cleared her throat. “You have a visitor.”
Gisella frowned. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know.” Krista shrugged. “Some guy,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “Some incredibly handsome guy, if that helps.”
Charlie. Gisella blinked stupidly up at her.
“Is everything all right?” Krista asked.
When she didn’t readily respond, Krista asked, “Do you want me to get rid of him?”
“Uh, no.” Gisella stood. “Just…tell him I’ll be right up.”
Frowning, Krista nodded and walked off.
Gisella quickly tried to dust the excess flour from her apron, but after surviving a large white funnel cloud, she gave up. Acknowledging that she was both excited and nervous, Gisella coached herself to stay cool. “You can do this.” At least she hoped she could. This was like being a teenager all over again.
For an extra touch, she removed the hairnet and clip from her head and then strolled to the front of the shop with her heart in her throat.
But it wasn’t Charlie waiting for her.
“Hello, Gisella.”
“Robert?”
Chapter 13
“Sorry, Mr. Masters, but the Johannesburg contract has gone to McGraw-Hill Construction.”
Charlie’s heart sank as he gripped the phone receiver. “How is that possible? There wasn’t supposed to be a decision until next month,” he said, exasperated. “I’ve already booked my flight to South Africa.”
“I’m sorry, but they announced their decision this morning,” the nameless executive said emotionlessly.
Charlie plopped back in his chair, barely able to restrain his stream of curses. He didn’t need this right now, but what else was there to say? No point in shooting the messenger.
After a couple of deep breaths, Charlie nodded against the phone. “Thank you for your time,” he said gruffly and then dropped the hand unit back onto the cradle.
For a while, all he could do was sit in his chair and stare at the phone. What was he going to do? Disgusted when he couldn’t think of a plan of action, he swiveled his chair and stared out of the window.
Charlie remembered the first time he’d looked out on the concrete and glass landscape. He felt like he was sitting on top of the world and there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish.
Now…he felt lost.
Everything, it seemed, was falling apart, crumbling at his feet.
“Mr. Masters, you have a call on line one,” Jackson announced over the speakerphone.
“Thank you.” He turned around to the console and picked up the call. “Charles Masters.”
“Charlie, I’m glad I’ve finally caught up with you.”
Rolling his eyes, Charlie dropped his head against the palm of his hand. “Dr. Weiner, I’ve been meaning to call you.”
The ensuing beat of silence hinted that the good doctor didn’t exactly buy that line.
“I called to see if we can get you scheduled for that bone marrow test. It’s important we get this done as soon as possible.”
“Of course, um…I’ll need to check my schedule…”
There was another awkward silence before Dr. Weiner said, “Look, Charlie. I know that this must really be hard for you. It’s not uncommon when patients get this kind of news that to go into self protection mode. Denial. They think the longer they don’t know something the better.
This isn’t going to go away. In this case, it could be a fatal mistake. What you don’t know can hurt you.”
“I just…” Charlie stopped and drew a deep breath. “I just need some more time.”
“You don’t have much of that, Charlie.”
But I feel fine!
“Look, I’m not going to lie to you. If your numbers are as severe as your blood work indicates, your chance for survival is extremely low. We have to get on top of this now.”
After the doctor listened to Charlie’s breathing for a few seconds, he added, “I’m going to have the nurses schedule you for the test at two o’clock on Friday at North-side, all right?”
Charlie nodded and then remembered that the doctor couldn’t see him. “I’ll be there,” he lied.
“Good.”
“Robert, what are you doing here?” Gisella asked with a sense of awe and suspicion.
International fashion model Robert Beauvais slid on his multimillion-dollar smile. “I came to see you,” he said. He swept his arms open. “Now how about a kiss for your fiancé?”
From behind the sales counter, Krista and Pamela sighed.
Gisella crossed her arms. “You mean ex-fiancé, n’estce pas?”
“Semantics.” He shrugged.
“We broke up over a year ago.”
The reminder failed to erase his smile, and since she didn’t rush dramatically into his arms, he took the initiative to close the gap between them in two strides. When his long muscled arms wrapped her into a smothering bear hug, Gisella thought she’d gag off his overpowering cologne.
“Ah, Gigi, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her ear.
Despite his handsome looks and his perfectly proportioned body, Gisella wasn’t the least bit turned on. Pushing him back, she wiggled out of his grasp. “This is not the ti
me or place,” she warned.
He released her and then watched her to march back behind the counter.
“Gigi—”
“Stop calling me that!”
“But—”
Mercifully, Gisella was literally saved by the bell when two women entered the shop. “Hello, can I help you?” she asked, slapping on a bright smile.
A plus-size older woman with a sharp silver bob haircut smiled warmly. “Yes. I heard so much about your shop. I’d like to buy a dozen of your chocolate strawberry mousse truffles.”
“Excellent choice!” Gisella exclaimed, a tad animated.
“Oh, I’ll get them,” Pamela volunteered.
“I’d like two dozen of the coconut clusters,” the other woman added.
“I’m on it,” Krista said.
Gisella could’ve chewed nails when she was once again stuck with having to deal with her ex.
“I missed you,” Robert said, reaching for her hands.
She jerked them back across the counter and folded her arms across her chest.
“Paris is not the same without you,” he continued undaunted.
“Robert…”
“Now,” he said, holding up a hand. “I know I’ve made some mistakes, but I want you to know that I’m a changed man. I came here to apologize.”
“You flew all the way here just to apologize?”
He nodded, but then added, “I also have a fashion shoot over at—”
“Figures.”
“C’mon. Don’t be like that.” He cocked his head and leveled his best puppy-dog expression on her.
The shop’s bell rang again, and this time the store experienced an afternoon rush.
However, Robert surprised her when he just stood back, content to wait. Forty-five minutes later, he pulled her aside again. “I mean it. I miss you. Come back to me.”
Gisella stared, dumbstruck. Was he for real?
Confidence radiated in Robert’s smile. “J’ai t’aimé toujours.”
“If you loved me you wouldn’t have cheated on me.” She rolled her eyes and tried to walk away.
Robert grabbed her by the hand but she twirled around and snatched it back. “No, Robert. It’s over. I’ve moved on.” Too angry to notice the shop’s sudden silence, Gisella moved forward and jabbed her finger into the center of his chest.
“You broke my heart,” she hissed. “While I was off foolishly planning to spend the rest of my life with you, you were off sleeping with half of Europe.”
Robert realized they were the center of attention and smiled awkwardly. “Could you lower your voice? Everyone is watching us,” he whispered.
Gisella shook her head. It was hard to believe that at one time she thought he hung the moon and stars. It wasn’t until she left France and did some soul searching with the Lonely Hearts Club did she realize just how unhappy and unfulfilled she was in their relationship. She suffocated under Robert’s ego and resented the fact that he never encouraged her to pursue her own dreams, even if it was just to run a small bakery.
Now, there she was standing before one of the handsomest men in the world and she felt…nothing. Absolutely nothing. “Go home, Robert,” she said in the kindest voice she could manage.
“Gigi.” He cocked his head. “It’s me you’re talking to. There’s no need to play hard to get. I know you miss us being together.”
“Robert—”
“Do you know how many women that would love to take your place?”
“As far as I’m concerned they’re more than welcome to have you.”
Disbelief rippled across Robert’s face. A second later, it turned into suspicion. “Is there someone else?”
Mon Dieu!
“Is there?”
As if summoned by some magical power, the shop’s door opened, and in walked Charlie.
Seizing the opportunity, Gisella practically flew to Charlie’s side. “Ah, sweetheart, there you are!”
Frowning, Charlie glanced around. When he saw that there was no one behind him, he pressed a hand against his chest. “Who, me?”
Gisella laughed and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Stop being silly, darling. Of course I’m talking to you.” She leaned up on her toes and pressed a butterfly kiss against his lips. Her performance was undoubtedly worthy of a Razzie Award for Worst Performance by a Non-Actress, but she smiled up at Charlie, praying desperately that he would play along.
The woman must have a split personality, Charlie thought. He looked from her to the tall brother that was glaring at them and put the pieces together. Easing on a wide smile, Charlie slid his arms around Gisella. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re over that little lover’s spat we had last night,” he covered and then swooped down for a real kiss.
A deeper kiss.
A longer kiss.
Krista and Pamela sighed.
Gisella’s pretense easily melted beneath the heat of such overwhelming passion. Her hold tightened around his waist when his tongue wickedly mated with her own. In no time at all her body overheated and the delicious sensations coursing through her left her trembling like a leaf.
Robert cleared his throat.
Charlie and Gisella kept kissing.
Robert tried again, this time sounding like he was trying to hack up a lung.
Charlie finally pulled away, mainly because Gisella lacked the strength.
“I take it that this is your new boyfriend,” Robert droned sarcastically.
“What?” Gisella’s eyes fluttered open. “Oh, yeah.” She started to step back, but Charlie’s arms locked into place. It was just as well since she doubted her legs would hold up on their own. “Um, Robert this is Charlie. Charlie, honey, this is Robert…my former fiancé.”
“Former fiancé?” Charlie finally glanced at Robert.
“I’m sure she’s mentioned me,” Robert said confidently.
“No. Not really.”
Robert’s smile dropped.
Gisella forced back a laugh.
The men’s keen gazes slowly assessed one another and, judging by their faces, neither was too impressed with the other.
“Well, I see you two are quite an item,” Robert said and then clenched his jaw. “How long have you been dating?”
“Six months,” Gisella answered the same time as Charlie replied “Two months.” They glanced at each other and then switched positions.
“Two months.”
“Six months.”
Suspicion crept back into Robert’s eyes. “I see.”
An awkward silence drifted over the shop.
“I have to tell you,” Charlie said. “I’ve never been happier since Gisella came into my life.”
“Thanks…sweetheart.” She laughed awkwardly. “I feel the same.”
“I mean, the sex is like…incredible.”
Gisella’s eyes bulged.
A few women snickered and reminded Gisella that they had an audience. “Okay, honey. We don’t need to talk about that.”
“At first I didn’t think I’d be able to keep up,” Charlie added almost conspiratorially. “But my baby here was determined to coach me out of my shell. Ain’t that right, sweetie?”
Instead of answering, she leaned forward and hissed, “I’m going to kill you.”
“I love you, too, baby.” He locked her chin between his fingers and silenced her with another kiss.
Forgotten once again, Robert coughed. “Well, that’s that. I guess I should wish you two luck.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”
“Don’t mention it.” Robert’s gaze drifted to Gisella. “It was nice seeing you again, Gigi. Bon chance.”
“Au revoir, Robert.”
His smile gone, Robert turned and walked out.
Gisella sighed in relief.
“You know,” Charlie said. “You come up with the damnedest reasons to kiss me when all you have to do is ask.”
Chapter 14
“You’re incorrigible,” Gisella said. �
�I swear I would slap you if I wasn’t so grateful for you helping me out of a sticky situation.”
Charlie’s brows cocked in amusement. “You’re welcome.”
The shop hummed with activity again. “The drama up here beats anything I’ve seen of General Hospital in the last ten years,” one woman said, laughing.
“The men are better-looking, too,” her friend added as they left the shop with their arms loaded down with cake boxes and store bags.
Charlie leaned forward and whispered in Gisella’s ear. “Frankly, I thought the leading lady was pretty hot, too.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop a smile from carving onto her face. “What are you doing here anyway?”
Charlie decided to dance around the truth. “Well, I was out feeling sorry for myself and thought that maybe one of your delicious cakes would cheer me up. Had I known that you were giving out chocolate kisses all willy-nilly, I would’ve come by sooner…and more often.”
He watched as her cheeks darken and he had another urge to kiss her. This time when he leaned forward, she leaned back.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like, sweetie?”
Belatedly, Gisella realized that she was still locked in his embrace. She cocked her head up at him with a sneaky suspicion that he was more than content to hold her. “You can let go now. The show is over.”
“Are you sure, love muffin?” He pressed her closer. “Maybe we should keep the ruse up just in case he’s outside watching us.”
Gisella’s gaze darted to the storefront window. Her eyes scanned the outside perimeter. Just when she was about to sigh in relief, her eyes caught sight of Robert sitting behind the wheel of a black Escalade across the street.
“Mon Dieu. He is out there.”
“He is?” Charlie tried to turn to see for himself.
“Don’t look.” She pulled his body around, but only succeeded in placing her back against the glass and giving Charlie the street view.
“Ah, there he is,” Charlie said, frowning. “What’s the story with this guy? Is he a stalker or something?”
“No.” Gisella shrugged. “I don’t think he is, anyway.”
“Maybe we should give him a good show.” Charlie lowered his head but only to brush their noses together.
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