Page 9 of Love in Bloom

“Some of them are quite enormous, so you’d be able to get loads of samples to try. It’s a shame they aren’t any good for makeup. It’d take less of them to make the product.”

“I haven’t worked much with exotic plants yet,” Connor said.

“I should think in your line of work, that’s all you’d be testing,” said Camille.

“The company looks into sustainable plants as a general rule. They like to have a hand in keeping the planet green and all that. I’ll have to do some research to see about the ones you’ve listed. I’m sure there are more. It could be very exciting in the lab when I return. And since I’m stationed by the Pacific, I might have easier access to the plants.”

Camille stopped to try on rings at a stand. “Are you in California?”

“India currently.”

“I would imagine there are many exotic plants to choose from in that location. I haven’t sent a scout there yet. Should I?”

“Scout?”

“I have scouts who go around the globe collecting new species of plants for me to try in the lab and see if they work well in makeup.”

“Don’t you ever go scouting?”

She shook her head and placed a ring back in its hole in the jewelry foam. “I haven’t been out in the field for years. I’ve been so busy.” She fingered another ring absently.

“When was the last time you took a vacation?”

“You mean other than to visit my family on holidays and special occasions?”

He nodded.

Camille racked her brain for a memory. Her shoulders fell. “The summer after I graduated from university. I went with some girlfriends to the Lakes District.”

“The Lakes? That was your last hurrah, your last vacation?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I was short on cash. We all were. We even camped, and it rained and soaked all our gear. None of us knew how to put up a tent properly. Probably should’ve brought some blokes with us to do the dirty work. We ended up sleeping on top of each other in the cars.”

“Do you still keep in touch with any of them?”

Camille slipped on a silver ring with a blue imitation star sapphire set in silver and held it up to the light. “Just Greta.”

“I think I remember her. Your roommate from university?”

“Yes. I don’t see her much. She’s usually off saving the world, and I’m—”

“—too busy.”

Camille nodded and lowered her hand. “I never cared much for diamonds. I always liked blue stones better.” She slipped the ring off and returned it. She moved forward to the next seller, needing space from Tristan. He was bringing to light some gaps in her life, in her relationships, and the idea left her unsettled. She ran her hands over the leather bags. When was the last time she’d bought a purse?

Tristan returned to her side a few minutes later.

“You looked like you needed a minute,” he said.

“Yes, thanks for being considerate.”

“How about we return to the hotel?”

“Yes.” She let the smooth leather run under her fingers, admiring the craftsmanship and loving the buttery feel. “I think I’ll come back tomorrow and get a bag.”

“Why wait until tomorrow when you’re right here?”

“I might take some time to make up my mind. I’m not a very impulsive person.”

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