The Paris Connection

by Cerella Sechrist

  “Emma.”

  A part of her wished to rebel and keep moving, but she knew that would solve nothing. So she stopped.

  “I apologize.”

  She turned on him. “That’s it? That’s all you can say to me?”

  “No,” he replied, “but right now, it’s the most important thing. I handled that poorly.”

  She gave an unladylike snort and nearly flushed in embarrassment at the sound. “I should say. What if one of the others had overheard you? Do you have any idea how that would have affected my reputation at the firm?”

  “It wasn’t an accusation,” he defended. “Only a question.”

  Her expression must have spelled fury because he hastened to elaborate. “And a tactless one at that. It was ill-timed and unacceptable. I regret it very much.”

  He seemed genuine in his remorse. But she would never let him off so easily.

  “What put that sort of idea into your head? Have I ever behaved in any way that would indicate Julien and I are more than friends?”

  “No,” he admitted. “You haven’t.”

  “Then why?” she demanded.

  “There was no particular reason. It only seemed a possibility, given how close you two appear and the fact that you are, of course, a beautiful woman,” he said, his voice low and soothing. She didn’t like it and shifted away from him.

  Behind her, he remained silent as she turned her attention to the darkening light in the forest as the sun sank overhead, softening everything into dusky shadows. The path was well traveled; they could easily find their way back. But she didn’t wish to leave. Not until he said something, anything, to ease the discomfort that had lodged in her chest.

  “You didn’t deserve such an accusation. And I’m sorry. If it’s any comfort, I don’t believe it. I don’t think I ever did. But I had to know because...” He trailed off, and she sensed something that made her turn.

  His gaze had moved toward the ground and away, as though he looked for something in the earth.

  “Why?” she pressed, her voice softer than before. “Why did you have to ask such a thing?”

  When his eyes came back to hers, she found them filled with frustration. “Because I don’t know the rules of the game on this side of the ocean, and I have to make the most I can of what I have if I’m to succeed here.”

  This candid response took her aback. “There is no game, Cole,” she assured him. “I’m not planning to try to wrest the CEO position from you. It’s yours. I accept that. I would never... I couldn’t... I’m not that sort of person.”

  His gaze lowered once more. “I think I knew that.” He raised his eyes, and she saw the determination in them. “But I had to be sure. You understand?”

  As much as it chafed at her, she did. “Yes,” she admitted. “I understand.”

  “Then you’ll accept my apology?”

  She offered the shortest of nods and felt a swell of pleasure to see how his expression lightened in response.

  “Good.”

  She moved from one foot to the other, unexplainably awkward in the face of his improved humor. Something niggled at her, as though she should pursue the matter just a bit further—try to discover why he had unexpectedly entertained the notion. But he suddenly moved one step closer to her, and all rational thought fled as she became aware of his proximity.

  He reached out, and she leaned back.

  “You have something in your hair,” he explained, and she forced herself to remain still as he plucked a wayward leaf from the crown of her head and handed it to her.

  “I’m not sure how you manage it, but you look completely at ease in the forest. Like some sort of wood nymph.”

  Despite herself, she felt a flutter of amusement. “Avery would like that idea—her mother as a maiden of the forest.” She twirled the leaf between her fingers, admiring its veins just beginning to brown. For whatever reason, she decided to keep it, perhaps press it into her novel in her room back at the château. She held it carefully in her fingers so as not to lose it and looked up to find Cole eyeing her intently. With the last, lingering light of the forest gilding the line of his jaw, he, too, seemed to be a magical part of the woods. Though she would never say so.

  She cleared her throat at the very idea of such fairy-tale musings. “We should return. The others are likely bursting with curiosity.”

  He nodded, but his eyes remained on her face. When, several seconds later, he had made no move to go, she forced herself into motion, brushing by him and starting back the way they had come.

  It took a considerable amount of willpower to keep from looking over her shoulder to see if he still watched her.

  * * *

  IN THE HOUR before dinner, Emma found herself restless enough that she headed toward the lake behind the estate grounds. She thought the quiet might help clear her head where Cole was concerned. She dangled her legs over the dock and enjoyed the feel of water swirling through her toes. She wondered if Giselle was making any progress with René. Her friend’s tenacity was admirable, if somewhat bewildering. To give her credit, at least she went after what she wanted. Emma had never been like that. She’d risen steadily through the ranks at Aquitaine, but that was as much due to Julien’s mentorship as to her own ambition. Even in her marriage, her ex-husband had taken the initiative. And there had been no one in her life since their divorce. Which suited her just fine. She was a single mother with a career. She didn’t have time to get involved with anyone romantically.

  But for the first time in years, an ache of disappointment rose in the wake of this thought. It had never bothered her before, her singleness. Her life was full, in its own way, without the companionship a relationship might bring. But the idea of that sort of connection, someone to share life’s everyday joys and sorrows, suddenly stirred a strange yearning inside her.

  Pushing aside these thoughts, she stretched her arms behind her and placed her hands on the dock, leaning back and tilting her face to the sky. The weather was perfect; Julien couldn’t have chosen a better weekend for their outing. Her wrist still ached slightly, but it, along with her mood, had improved significantly since Cole’s apology.

  Her eyes slid closed, and she hummed a few snatches of Frère Jacques beneath her breath, a lullaby she had often sung to Avery when she was a baby.

  “You’re a little old for nursery rhymes, aren’t you?”

  Emma straightened, opening her eyes to see Marc standing over her. He sat down beside her on the dock, uninvited.

  “It’s just a lullaby I used to sing to my daughter.”

  “Isn’t she a little old for that by now, too? What is she? Ten?”

  Emma shook her head at the thought. “Heaven forbid. She’s only five. And it still feels like she’s growing up too fast.”

  Marc began tugging off his sneakers. “My sister has two teenage boys. She said it feels like yesterday that they were still in diapers.”

  This observation made her melancholy. She didn’t want to think of Avery becoming a teenager. Marc placed his shoes aside and began to unroll his socks.

  “I’m sure it is difficult.”

  “What is?”

  “Being away from her so much.” He stuffed the socks into his shoes and lowered his toes into the water with a gasp. “That’s cold.”

  “You get used to it. And then it feels nice.” She turned her ankles in circles, sending slight ripples in his direction. He inhaled sharply but lowered his feet in the rest of the way.

  They sat in silence for a few moments. She didn’t feel uneasy around Marc, but neither did she feel completely relaxed.

  “This is a lovely estate,” she said by way of conversation.

  “It’s not bad,” Marc admitted. “Though a bit rustic.”

  “It’s not that rustic,” she said. �
�And besides, it has its own country charm.”

  Marc shrugged and kicked his feet a little, splashing water droplets. She eased away from him slightly. She wished Marc hadn’t joined her. Even though she didn’t mind talking to him, she felt as though her time at the lake had been much more peaceful before he came.

  “So, do you feel like you’re missing out on a lot of things?” he asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “With your daughter,” he prompted. “Do you wish you had more time to spend with her?”

  She slid him a glance out of the corner of her eye. “Why do you ask?”

  “No reason. Only...”

  “Only what?”

  “That I admire you, Emma. It must be extraordinarily difficult for you—an expat with a child and a career. It takes a special sort of person to juggle your situation.”

  “Oh. Well. Thanks, Marc. That’s really nice of you to say.”

  “It is the same thing I said to Cole, when he asked about you.”

  She turned to look at him. “He asked about me?”

  Marc nodded. “When we were at the ropes course. He had a few questions.”

  “What kind of questions?”

  “Oh, just different things, how long you’ve worked for Aquitaine, how many clients you handle. That sort of thing.”

  “Why would he ask you about that?”

  “I believe he was trying to determine your level of commitment.”

  “My level of... But why?”

  Marc wouldn’t meet her eyes. “He mentioned something about divided loyalties, in raising a child as well as holding such a high-level position in the company.”

  “I see. And what did you tell him again?”

  “That I admire your dedication to your job, in addition to your commitment to your child. I recognize it requires a certain sacrifice on your part, but that you are extremely competent and a valuable asset to Aquitaine.”

  She felt a stab of suspicion. “You said all that, huh?”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Oh, it’s something.” A big old pile of steaming something, in her opinion. She and Marc had never been enemies, but they weren’t exactly friends, either. They had certainly never experienced enough camaraderie to warrant such a glowing defense of her. She began to view Cole’s question concerning her and Julien’s relationship in a new light.

  “What else did Cole say?”

  “Emma, everyone knows you don’t want him here.”

  “That’s not true.” And it wasn’t, she realized. Sure, she had been disappointed to lose the promotion, but there would be other opportunities.

  “It wasn’t right, for Julien to let someone else lead us.”

  She sighed. “Cole is an asset to Aquitaine. This merger will elevate and solidify our position in an increasingly competitive marketplace. We need him.”

  It felt good to say those words out loud. Better than she might have guessed.

  “You’ve been telling Julien for weeks that it was not a good idea.”

  “Well, maybe I changed my mind. I think the merger will be valuable for Aquitaine. And I think Cole is exactly what we need,” she repeated.

  “Hmm,” came Marc’s response.

  “What?”

  “We need him? That is not what he says about you. In fact, he approached me about replacing you, when the time comes.” His tone was the perfect balance of gossip mixed with apology.

  “Replacing me.” It wasn’t a question, but Marc nodded as though it were.

  “Oui. I told him I wouldn’t think of it.”

  Though she made an effort to contain it, she couldn’t help the curt laugh that escaped.

  “It’s not going to work, Marc. Cole and I may not have gotten off to the best start, but I hardly think he’s planning for my departure anytime soon.”

  The earnest, sympathetic expression Marc had worn up to this point flattened into disappointment.

  “Nice try, buddy, but I’m not going anywhere.” She pulled her feet from the water and moved to stand. “And don’t you ever try spreading lies about Julien and me like that again, you got it? If you want to take my job, you’re going to have to be smarter than that.”

  And with those words, she grabbed her shoes and left Marc sitting alone by the lake, with his feet still dangling off the dock.

  * * *

  THAT NIGHT, COLE made certain he exchanged several pleasant words with Emma in front of the others when they gathered in the dining room for dinner, and he even went so far as to sit beside her as they took their places at the table. But he continually steered the conversation away from any inquiries regarding their conversation in the forest and was relieved when no one pressed the issue. They all seemed content to go ahead with the weekend as planned instead of dwelling on the unfortunate scene from earlier. All with the exception of Giselle, who occasionally cast suspicious glances his way. But to her credit, she treated him little differently than she had before that afternoon’s outing. He wondered if Emma had spoken with her friend in the hour between their return and dinner, when they had all dispersed to either rest or wander the grounds. Cole had used the time to check in at the office and catch up on a few emails, but he didn’t know where Emma had gone after they’d returned to the house.

  He decided it didn’t matter what Emma might have told Giselle. The retreat would go on, and, hopefully, the scene he and Emma had caused would be forgotten soon enough. And as long as Marc didn’t cause any more trouble, the team-building could continue.

  “They do not own the pharmaceutical sector,” Louis was saying. “At least not yet.”

  “But it is obvious they are shifting their focus in that direction,” Aurora argued. “They have been making significant inroads into the financial sector in the last year, and now they are widening their net.”

  Cole knew he should be more invested in this conversation as his recruiters discussed Aquitaine’s largest rival recruiting firm, Léon Professional Services, but he found himself distracted by the knowledge that Emma sat beside him. Each time he turned toward the opposite end of the table, he caught sight of her in his peripheral vision and became engrossed in her mannerisms—the delicate way she forked into her fish, the elegant movement of her wrist when she reached for her wineglass. He had found himself sidetracked by the way she would take a sip and then shift her attention to whomever was speaking. He tried to keep his observations subtle, but he found he could barely pay attention to anything else, even after the meal had finished and the dishes were cleared away. Still, he caught himself sneaking glances at her.

  “What about Solene?” Louis asked and looked toward Emma. “You two are still friends, aren’t you, Emma? Has she said anything about her company’s direction?”

  Cole felt Emma stiffen slightly. “We’re still friends,” she confirmed, “but we...” He noted her hesitation. “We try not to talk shop too much now that she no longer works for Aquitaine.”

  Emma turned her attention to her lap, where her napkin still rested, and began folding it neatly. He thought about questioning her further on her friend, but before he had a chance, the conversation continued.

  “It is a much more competitive market,” Marc stated. “And we must be better to accommodate it. It’s as simple as that.”

  Giselle scoffed. “It is hardly simple. We may have to be more creative than you think, Marc.”

  “Speak for yourself. I still have the technology sector well in hand. My placements are still considered some of the best in that field. If the consumer media market does not feel the same about you, then perhaps I could offer some pointers.”

  This sharp exchange barely registered with Cole. He had forced his gaze back to the tabletop, wondering how long he could keep from looking in Emma’s direction. So he was rather taken a
back when he felt her elbow nudging him gently in the side. He straightened and turned to find her facing the others. But clearly she wanted him to join in.

  “That is why the merger with Reid Recruiting will be so beneficial to us. We’re now in partnership with one of the top-ranked recruitment firms in the United States. It is no longer just us. We’re part of something bigger, with increasing opportunities.”

  When she turned to face him, her eyes begging for his input, he found himself buoyed by her words. She had just declared herself a team player in this, had gone all in for the sake of him and this merger. Even after what he had implied just hours ago. Emma truly was exceptionally dedicated to this company. He nodded and looked around the table at each of his top-level recruiters.

  “Emma makes a good point. Not only do you—we,” he quickly corrected, “gain an even stronger reputation as a world-class recruitment firm, but our resources have effectively doubled. That gives us the edge we need to stay on top, as long as we keep seeking out and delivering the best possible candidates to our clients.”

  He watched as they straightened, taking in his words and recognizing that this was their company—he was their leader, and they were going to continue to be at the forefront of their field. He earned a reaction from each of them—Aurora straightened and lifted her head proudly; Louis squared his shoulders; Marc smirked with satisfaction; and even Giselle gave him a nod.

  When he finally looked at Emma, he found her smiling in a way that let him know he had said everything she wanted him to say. Unexpectedly, he grinned back and even went so far as to reach his arm around the back of her chair, feeling, perhaps for the first time since he had arrived, that he was truly a part of things and the leader of this company.

  He only had a few seconds to enjoy this feeling, however, before René appeared in the dining room’s doorway.