“All I ask is that you listen. You may decide about granting them after.”
“Fine.” She waved for him to proceed, hoping to hide the fact that she was finding it hard to breathe.
“First, I wish for you to return to Paris.” He pulled a ticket from his pocket. “There is so much you missed, so much I want to show you. So much I think you would love.”
She took the proffered ticket with exaggerated reluctance and placed it on the counter of her workstation.
“Second, I wish for forgiveness. I said and did many things I regret. I would like a chance to make it up to you.”
She opened her mouth but he held up his hand before she could speak. “Let me finish.” His chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath and released it. “I wish for you to tell me if my love for you is reciprocated or not.”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t answer now. Take your time.” He handed her a small envelope. “Here are instructions if you should choose to use the ticket. The flight leaves in four days.”
Luca leaned forward and kissed her softly once more, whispering in her ear. “Oh, and you may want to destroy those instructions after reading. They are for your eyes only.”
When he walked out the door, every pair of eyes in the salon watched him go.
Jasmine’s hand shook as she opened the envelope. She skimmed over the message once and then read it again, slowly. As she reread it for the third time, her heart fluttered in her throat when she reached the last line.
Panties optional.