Page 23 of Madam Alana

He moved to the cart and started placing the many coveredplates onto the dining table. That was when the hotel phone rang. He lifted afinger toward me and moved to the closest phone.

“Hello?” he answered and then promptly smiled. “Darren,thank you for returning my call. It seems our wives are friends.” He nodded asmy fingers positively ached to snatch the phone away so I could talk to Celine.“Oui,it is great. My wife, Alana, would adore a chat with your Celineif possible.Oui? Excellent. I’ll get her on the line.”

My heart beat a frantic rhythm as I stood shakily and tookthe phone. “Thank you, Christophe. Thank you,” I whispered and then put thephone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Alana! Our husbands know each other!” Celine gushedinstantly. “What have you been doing?”

I opened my mouth and shut it before I giggled and leanedagainst the back of the couch. “We have been doing so much! We went to awonderful Italian place for dinner last night where the chef made us a specialdinner in honor of our wedding. Then today he took me on a helicopter and boattour of the Grand Canyon. Oh, Celine, it was the most beautiful place I’ve everseen.”

“Wow, that sounds like fun. Did you get a rock?”

I grinned wide. My friend knew me well. “I did.” Whichreminded me that I had to give one to Christophe.

“I’m so happy for you, Alana. Everything is working outexactly how I imagined. For the most part.” Her tone wavered as though therewas more to say, but she wouldn’t do so in mixed company. “It sounds like youwere well matched.”

“Oh, yes. Christophe…” I looked at my husband who quicklyglanced away, pretending he wasn’t eavesdropping. “He’s been a perfectgentleman. We are…getting to know one another,” I finally said, not wanting toshare private details over the phone. “What have you been doing?”

“Having sex mostly,” she chuckled, not at all one to keepthings private. “Let’s just say he’s rather insatiable.”

“Oh my…I see.” My cheeks heated. “Are you faring well withthat?”

“Of course. It’s not like I don’t have a lot of experiencein that department,” she said dryly. “Gottakeepmynew husband happy, right?”

I frowned, not sure how I felt about what she’d said. “Iwish I could see you.” Translated in girl code:I want to make sure you’reokay.

“You can see your friend,” Christophe announced, insertinghimself into my conversation. “You are not imprisoned here,cheri.When you are done with your call, let me chat with Darren and we’ll setsomething up. I’m sure you want to see your friend before we fly to Paris.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Definitely. Hurry though, our food is getting cold. If youtake too long, I will start without you. Which also means I get to pick themovie.”

“Damn, sounds like someone hit the big time with herbidder,” Celine teased, having heard him through the phone. “He sounds so intoyou,” she continued to taunt.

My reddened cheeks became a full-body flush when I realizedmarrying Christophe was like catching a unicorn. Men like him simply didn’texist.

“I will admit to feeling much of the same,” I whispered andturned to face the other direction.

“I’m glad, Alana. I was worried about you. Your gentlenature is so easily taken advantage of. I’m happy to hear your husband is agood man.”

“He is,” I said with a conviction I was starting to trust.“I do have to go. Can you put your husband back on the phone? Christophe sayshe will make a date for us to see one another. I miss you terribly.”

“I miss you too. Love you more than anybody,” she whispered.

“I feel the same,” I returned. “I’ll see you soon. Bye.Christophe?” I held the receiver aloft.

He came over and took the phone. “Hello, Darren. When willbe best to get our wives together?” He listened for a bit and then pressed hislips together. “Alana? Do you need clothing and essentials? Darren says hiswife has very little with her.”

I crossed my arms over one another and focused on my feet.“I had planned to ask about my account, but we’ve been busy. I was hoping toshop when I have my own funds from the auction, and you were working.”

“We’ll meet you for lunch and shopping,” Christophe said toDarren. “Magnifique. See you tomorrow at noon.Au revoir.” Hehung up the phone. “We’re meeting them for lunch at their hotel and thenshopping. You won’t need your own funds as I will provide for your needs.”

“Um,but,that isn’t required ofyou. And you paid so much…”

He held up a hand in a sharp manner as though he werecutting the very air with a knife. “It would bring me joy to spoil you. Now…”He grinned, the heaviness in the air dissipating as he smiled. “Let’s eat!”

Together we removed the domes to find gigantic burgers and ametal cup loaded past the brim with wedge-shaped fries. All the fixings werealready on the burgers. I salivated seeing the melted cheese, the juicytomatoes, and dark-green leafy lettuce layered meticulously.

“Wow! It’s huge!” I exclaimed.

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