Page 15 of The Charmer

“No. It's too crazy for most of them. We’re having our traditional brunch at LeBlanc & Broussard during the Carnival season.” I was thinking how much I loved that restaurant when he added, “I can't wait to see my niece.”

“One of your brothers has kids?”

“Yes. Chad, the second oldest of us. He divorced Bella’s mom a while ago, and we all kind of pitched in to help. All of us brothers spend a lot of time with Bella. But now that he’s engaged, we see less of her. I miss the little munchkin.”

Oh goodness. Be still, my beating heart. I took a few more sips of my drink.

"Easy there. Pace yourself," Julian said.

I giggled. "Yeah, whoops. I'm... Huh. I went a bit too fast."

"Want me to tell the bartender to prep the second one?"

I licked my lips. "No, I need to pace myself, like you said."

"Sure. Let me know when you’re ready. So, how is business going? Were the handmade masks a hit?"

I opened my mouth to answer, then froze. No, he can’t possibly be here. And yet there was no mistaking that profile. The blond hair cropped short, the high cheekbones, the suit.

Kyle Deveraux was standing here in the flesh.

"Georgie, are you okay?" Julian put a hand on my arm, holding me still.

Oh my God, I'd been swaying. I suddenly felt faint.

"Do you want to sit down? Are you feeling sick?" he asked.

"No, I just saw someone I’d hoped never to see again."

"Who?"

"My ex-boyfriend."

Julian followed my gaze. "Who is it?"

"The blond guy with a killer profile and shitty personality."

"Kyle Deveraux?" He sounded incredulous.

"You know him?" Crap. They probably ran in the same circles.

"Yes. Not my favorite person either," Julian said through gritted teeth.

I glanced down at my hands, grasping the glass even tighter, and then took a huge gulp, emptying it.

"I think I'm ready for that second Sazerac now."

Julian eyed me intently. I felt all kinds of hot under his scrutiny.

"Georgie..."

"Ha. No, mister. No warning me. Trust me, I need liquid courage."

"Julian, we need you here. There's been a mishap," one of the bartenders said.

"Georgie, are you okay?” Julian asked me softly.

“Yeah, sure.”