Page 34 of Crossing Lines

“Talk with the kids. Most of them come from tough homes. I help show them there’s a better way besides turning to the streets and doingstuff, as you called it. You should come through one Saturday to discuss your career.”

The smile she gives me feels like a tender stroke on my heart. “I will. That’s big of you, Kross. For real.”

“I’m doing my part. Trying to make the world a better place however way I can.”

“You’re a good person.”

“I sense you are, too,” I say, biting my egg and bacon sandwich.

Still smiling, she dips her head and resumes eating.

After a sip of the warm latte, I continue the conversation. “So besides the fashion part, you do other fun things in Paris?”

“Mmhm. I love exploring the city, trying different food, putting my poor French to the test.”

“Let me hear some.”

“Bonjour,” she replies immediately, chuckling.

I scoff. “Really, shorty?”

“Give me a second.” She looks around the place and says, “Merci pour le petit déjeuner.”

“Nice,” I applaud. “You thanked me for breakfast.”

She slowly bobs. “Yeah. Is that a lucky guess?”

“Tu es la plus belle femme que j'ai jamais vue.”

Her mouth opens in surprise. “Damn, Kross. You know French?”

“It was my elective in community college. You understood what I said?”

She shakes her head. “Not at all.”

Holding her gaze, I translate smoothly, “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Davia draws an unsteady breath and traces the rim of her coffee mug. “Thank you. I bet a man like you has had plenty ofpretty women. Not to mention, a lot will pass through your club, wanting your attention.”

“My attention isn’t easy to get,” I quip. “I have to feel intrigued.”

“Did the woman last night intrigue you?”

I quirk my brow at the hint of jealousy in her voice. “I’ve no interest in her besides the business she’s helping me with. There’s nothing romantic.”

“You don’t need to explain it to me.”

“And yet you seem relieved,” I note.

“I’m not.” She blinks incessantly as if nervous all of a sudden. “Anyway, you finished community college?”

“I completed a two-year online business course. It got me a job with a packaging company. I saved and used the money to buy and renovate my first rental property. Kept growing. Now, here I am. Doesn’t compare to your man, right?”

Her eyes lower. “I wasn’t comparing.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a finance associate, successful in his career.”

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