Page 60 of The Charmer

"We really don't—" Isabeau started just as a client stepped in.

"I won’t take no for an answer."

That made both of them grin.

"I can see what Julian sees in you," Celine said.

The newcomer cleared her throat and asked if this was going to take much longer. Celine assured her that they were going to leave right away. At my insistence, they did each pick up a string of beads on their way out, though.

What a strange day. First, Julian came in all grumpy and determined and somehow off, and now his grandmothers had visited me. Those two seemed to know far too much about everything.

As Isabeau predicted, the lunch lull was over quickly, and I was overrun with customers again. I didn't get another break until four o'clock.

I was sitting in my armchair, about to grab a book, when I realized I had some unread messages from Julian. One of them, the first one, was extremely long, and upon reading it, I quickly realized it was the invitation to his party at the Marriott. I grinned when I read the last line—Dress code: casual. Bring your best Mardi Gras outfit!

Oooh, that's right up my alley.

Julian: I heard Isabeau and Celine paid you a visit. I hope they didn't scare you off. Give me a call when you have a chance. I need an update.

I glanced at the bottle of lilac I'd left on the counter all day and opened it again, dabbing a bit on my wrists. It was divine. After taking another sniff, I called Julian.

"I was starting to get worried," he said.

"Hmm. Were you planning on barging into my store again?”

"It wasn't that dramatic."

"That's debatable. So... Celine and Isabeau seemed to know a lot."

“I hope they didn't scare you off."

"They didn't, but now I'm curious. What exactly do you think they could've told me to scare me off?"

"When it comes to my grandmothers, you never know. They wouldn't do it on purpose, but it's second nature to them."

"They were very sweet. We spoke about my grandmother, and they even brought me a perfume. I'm not sure about all the notes, but they did mention it has lilac."

"Lilac?" Julian sounded incredulous, and then he started to laugh.

"What?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake."

"Julian, you're worrying me."

"Never mind."

"No, no. You can't leave me hanging like this."

He sighed. "They have this superstition that lilac has certain qualities. Celine made one for my mom when she was young, and she met Dad right after. That convinced her that it has some special power. They made a perfume with lilac for Scarlett, too, and they credit her and Chad being a couple to that.”

“Wow.” I didn't know what else to say.

“I'm sure they'll tell you all the details soon enough."

"You think I’ll meet them again?"

"If there's one thing I know about my grandmothers, it's that if they introduce themselves to you, it means they want to know you."

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