Page 21 of Angel Eyes

“I can help with that.” I grinned, letting a hint of mischief bleed into my smile. “I did volunteer to accompany you on your quest for inspiration.”

Something sparked in her eyes. “Indeed, you did.” She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, making my thoughts scatter. “And when would you want to start this … quest?”

Now.

“Tomorrow,” I rasped. “How does the Louvre Museum sound?”

She nodded thoughtfully. “That sounds good. Only …” She hesitated. “I have to ask, what do you get out of this? Helping me, I mean.”

I smacked away a barrage of inappropriate thoughts, all tackling each other for precedence in my mind. The answer—the real answer—was simple.

“I want to see you win, Juliet. Not just this competition, but with your aspirations. I know how hard it can be to leave everything behind and chase a dream when you have no guarantee of success. And if I can improve the chances of you accomplishing your goals, even marginally, then that’s all the reward I need.”

She gave me a searching look, and I swallowed hard, hoping what I’d said was true.

Because there was no world, no universe in which I would ever allow myself to hope for more.

Seven

Juliet

“Wow, that’s incredible.”

Ember’s face, clad in a rose oil facial mask, filled the screen as I held my phone up so she could take in the scene. It was Sunday afternoon, and I was standing in the sun-streaked courtyard that housed the entrance to the Louvre Museum, waiting alongside hundreds of other people all eager to wander its halls of world-famous art.

Although, the word museum was a bit of an understatement.

The Louvre was, in fact, a sixteenth-century palace, spanning a vast complex of wings and pavilions, all made of cut limestone and arranged in a wide U-shape around a courtyard. At its center stood a large crystalline pyramid made of metal and glass that glinted in the sun like a diamond.

Ember tucked a pillow neatly under her chin, stretching out across her bed. “So, what time are you meeting your sex-on-a-stick tour guide?”

“Um, can you please not refer to Gabriel that way?” I said as heat that had nothing to do with the sun warmed the base of my neck.

“Seriously?” She arched an eyebrow. “Tell me you don’t find him attractive.”

The warmth spread to my ears as I avoided eye contact. “Well, his features are pleasantly … symmetrical. And he is of admirable height and build compared to the average male. But I’m not sure if I would use the word attractive.”

Ember chuckled. “Oh, Jules, you are so cute when you lie.”

A soft chime signaled a new text message. “He’s here.” I darted a look around the plaza. “But it’s so crowded. I don’t see him anywhere.”

I spotted a stone pedestal a few feet away, and I hoisted myself on top of it. From this vantage point, I could see over the mass of people, and my pulse skittered when I saw Gabriel’s form moving in my direction.

“Okay, I see him. I’m gonna hang up now.”

“Have fun,” Ember whisper-shouted, “and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Well, that’s a short list.”

“Ouch, the kitten has claws.” She blew a kiss toward the screen. “Okay, love you, bye.”

I put my phone away as Gabriel approached, his eyes climbing the length of my body.

“Hey,” I said with an awkward wave. “I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m doing up here, but you see, I’m vertically challenged, and I couldn’t find you in the crowd, so …”

He ran a hand across his mouth, his expression dancing with humor. “Uh-huh. I figured.”

“Right. So, I’ll just get down, then.” I peered at the ground, which suddenly seemed a lot farther away than it had moments before.

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