Page 74 of Reeling in Love

“Vous parlez francais? You speak French?”

I shake my head. Though having spent so much time with Gabs, I’ve picked up a few words.

“No problem. I know English. Come. We’ll sit in a more cozy setting. This is very formal for meeting my grandson.”

She walks up the stairs, instructing a woman standing nearby to get something to eat for us. There are quite a few rooms on the upper floor, too. She takes us to one, which has a couch, a couple of wing chairs, and a table.

Once we’re all seated, she holds Gabriel’s hand. “I’m glad you came. It’s been some time since we met. I was expecting you to visit me when you came here for your meeting with Gerard Dumas, but… well, you didn’t.”

“You know him?” Gabs says in a brusque tone. Gerard Dumas is still a sore memory for him.

“I do. I’m glad you left that tiny start-up and joined the family business. They tell me you have a new strategy planned for the Boston team?”

Gabs is quiet, so I pitch in. “He does. And Madame Bardot, it’s heartening to see that you’re so deeply involved in the company matters.”

She smiles and nods. “Ah, only a little. If Daphne hadn’t run off after George, maybe I wouldn’t have needed to. She was always a sharp one, my Daphne. I guess Gabriel has her acuity in business.”

Gabs stands up and walks toward the wall, then turns and leans against it. “I don’t think I have her or your mental acuity or the ability to manipulate people.”

Her eyes grow wide and I feel weird listening to such a personal fight. I’m not comfortable in family feuds. So I stand up. “I… I think I’ll wait downstairs.”

Gabs shakes his head. “No, you’re part of it, and right now I think you’re the closest thing I have to family. So please stay Nora. My so-called family is clearly not to be trusted.”

His grandmother bites her lips and straightens her back. “What are you inferring, Gabriel?”

“I know,” he says, his incandescent gaze focused on her with a feral intensity I’ve never witnessed before. “So please don’t insult my intelligence or yours by pretending you didn’t do it. You have the recording, or have you shared it already?”

She shifts uneasily, but her face doesn’t betray any emotion. Her lips are still smiling, though the glint has disappeared from her eyes.

A woman comes in with some food, which she lays carefully on the table. There’s some ravioli, a variety of amazing-looking breads, and some juice.

“Shut the door as you leave,” Madame Bardot says to the woman, “and inform the others that I’m not be disturbed for a while, till my grandson is here.”

“Oui, madame,” says the woman before bowing and leaving.

Gabs’ eyes haven’t left her. She stands up and walks closer to him.

The smell of warm bread makes my mouth water and I realize how hungry I am. So I pick up a piece and begin nibbling.

“Who told you?” she finally asks. Her voice is softer, and it has lost the confidence and patronizing tone.

“Does it matter? The fact is that it’s true. How low can you fall? I won’t let anyone harm Nora. So, I’m asking again, have you already given it to TruthSeekerBob?”

“No. I never intended to give it to him. It would be bad for the family.”

Gabs rolls his eyes and takes a step closer to the older woman, towering at least a foot over her. “I don’t believe you. I don’t trust you.”

She steps back. “Look, I did it because Daphne asked me to. And honestly, I think this is the sanest thing she has done in a long time. I mean, if you’re faking it with her,” she spins her head toward me with a disdainful expression, “why do you want to ruin your chance with Sophia? She’s smart and rich and our businesses together will propel both families to the next level. It’s plain common sense. Ask her. If she is really your friend, I’m sure she’ll agree.”

I swallow the bread that I’ve stuffed in my mouth with a glass of juice, as I realize I’m the ‘her’ she’s referring to.

She’s still glaring at me, her disdain transforming into disgust. I want to beat myself up for gorging on the food at such a moment, but to be fair, I didn’t expect to be called on for my opinion on this family matter.

“With all due respect, ma’am, I think marriage, if at all done, should be out of love, not for some business transaction. I’m sure there are ways for the two businesses to work together without making Gabriel and Sophia marry each other when they don’t want to.”

“Why don’t you say that you want to marry my grandson? Why? For his money? How much do you need to get out of his life? Tell me and I’ll write you a check right now.”

I’m too shocked to say anything. Gabs opens his mouth, but I shut him up with a glance. It’s my battle and I have to fight it. I’m glad he respects my choice. When you’ve been friends for so long, you don’t need to speak to make your desires known.

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