Page 98 of The Love Hoax
“I missed having a partner to share my good fortune. Not any partner. Someone who inspires me, believes in me, understands me. Someone to pull me from my comfort zone with new adventures, passion . . . and love.”
“I do all that for you?” he asks, brushing a stray tear from my cheek.
I nod, amazed I just said all that aloud. “It sounded much better in my head.”
In the background, I hear a heavy door being closed.
Adam and I stare at each other, the sense of anticipation nearing a crescendo.
“It was perfect,” he says, “but there’s one thing I need to do before anything else.”
I feel butterflies in my stomach, every nerve ending on fire.
Instinctively, I place my hands behind his neck and draw him closer. “I love you, too, Adam. With all my heart.”
Adam’s gaze turns fierce as he wraps his arms around my waist, causing goosebumps up and down my arms as he lowers his head.
And then the dam breaks open. Adam’s mouth is on mine, his hungry lips insatiable.
I kiss him with every ounce of my being, my heart taking flight. Passion flames within me, my fears engulfed as if they never existed.
When we pull apart, the gate agent is staring at us, her jaw on the floor.
Steph and Brad are grinning broadly. They wave enthusiastically and walk away, heading for their gate to Madrid.
I am still in Adam’s arms when I say, “Looks like my flight is leaving without me. So, what now?”
Adam takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “Any chance I can talk you into another road trip?”
Laughter mixes with tears as Adam guides me away from the gate.
“Sounds like another adventure. Lead the way.”
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Evie
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Barbie, Mo, Caroline Sam, and I clink glasses. Today we celebrate Caroline’s fiftieth birthday. It goes without saying that we are all sworn to secrecy that she’s hit the milestone. Most importantly, she looks happy and healthy, basking in the attention, her leg fully healed.
“How shall we celebrate?” I ask, thrilled to be back with my friends in Le Marais.
Several weeks ago, Roger sent me a text, saying he was sorry he wasn’t in closer touch but met someone else. He hoped I wasn’t “too hurt” and invited me and my “gal pals” to come back to his restaurant.
Eyeing what remains of the masterpiece that was my appetizer, I’m still pinching myself how it all worked out.
I’ve missed this place and my sweet friends. I feel bad to have skipped two of the last five club meetings. I’ve been busy.
Barbie flips her jet-black tresses behind her shoulder. “How about trekking up Kilimanjaro?”
Caroline and Monique groan in unison and the rest of us laugh.
Sam says, “Not unless one of you rich ladies first pays off my mortgage.”
I smile at her outspoken jest, even as she’s looking from Caroline . . . to me. Over recent months Sam has slowly come out of her shell. I note she’s wearing a touch of lipstick. Maybe New York City is working its magic on her.
“Why look at me? I ask.
