Page 79 of The Charmer

"Your wish is my command."

I took her hand as we crossed the avenue, completely ignoring that this wasn't a pedestrian crossing. There were barely any cars around, so it didn't matter. The morning was pleasant. I wouldn't describe it as warm, but I was comfortable even without a jacket.

"You like to break rules, huh?" she said once we were on the other side.

I winked at her. "Always."

"Oh no," she gasped suddenly. "We didn't take the masks from the suite.”

“I'll tell my assistant to get them from the hotel tomorrow."

"Are you sure they won't just throw them away?"

"Positive."

We walked leisurely along Dauphine Street. Georgie kept looking around. "My, my. I do see my beads now and again."

She was bursting with pride—as she should.

"How can you tell they're yours?" I held her hand even tighter every time she stopped. It was ridiculous, but I wanted this contact.

"I can’t explain it, but I always recognize my work."

"Fair enough."

"I can't believe I'm lucky enough to live in New Orleans and work in the French Quarter," she murmured as we continued our stroll.

"I was just thinking about that this morning. I've traveled a lot, and no other place compares to this."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I've always wondered if I'm not biased because I haven't been outside Louisiana much. But between you and me, New Orleans is my favorite place in the state."

I laughed. "Oh, if those Charleston lovers could hear us now. I quite agree with you."

"A man after my own heart. I can’t wait for the day when I’ll live in the Quarter."

I wanted to make that happen for her. How crazy was that? I was thirty-eight. I hadn't had this thought about a woman ever.

"It's going to happen eventually."

"I love your optimism."

"Life is good," she said with a huge grin. "What's not to like?"

We turned right on Toulouse, and her smile fell. I immediately realized why.

"Is it on Bourbon?" she asked softly.

"Yes. I didn't think about it. Let's go to your coffee shop instead." Damn, why didn’t I think about that? It bothered the hell out of me that her ex still had such a negative impact on her. I needed to change that.

We stopped on the corner of Toulouse and Bourbon. She rolled her shoulders, which I was starting to learn was her way of bracing herself.

"No. I'm not a chicken. I can't avoid Bourbon my whole life. For God's sake, I work in the Quarter."

"Sure, but we don't have to go there this morning." I pushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Georgie. It's fine if you don't feel like it. Or if you'd rather avoid it for a while."

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