Page 20 of Another Lucky Number

‘Pardon, Emma.’ Sébastien seems (quite understandably) perturbed by my reaction. ‘What—’

‘I’m sorry, Sébastien,’ I cut him off to avoid this situation becoming any more awkward than it already is. ‘I can’t do this. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have led you on. You’ve been nothing but a gentleman… and probably every straight woman in the world would think I’m an idiot – of course they would...’ I’m like a runaway train: I can hear myself, and I’m perfectly aware of how I sound, but I can’t seem to apply the brakes. ‘The thing is, I’ve met someone… not long before I arrived here. I didn’t think it would matter to have a holiday fling with you, but it does. And I know I don’t owe this other guyanything at this early stage, but Iwantto… not in a slutty way, to be clear… in a loyal I-want-to-have-a-shot-at-being-your-girlfriend kind of way. So, you see, this just can’t happen…’

I continue to ramble almost incoherently, too terrified to stop and endure the humiliation of how we’ll go our separate ways from here. And in doing this, I completely miss Sébastien’s reaction.

‘Emma.Arrête.’ He laughs, putting a finger to my lips to silence me. ‘Please.’

I stop and sort of hang there inelegantly, avoiding eye contact.

‘Emma… why do you think I invited you here this evening?’

I trace a pattern on the path with my toe, unable to bring myself to converse with him.

‘You think that I was trying to seduce you.’ His words suggest quite the opposite.

I look up at him and wince. ‘You mean you weren’t?’

‘No, Emma. That was not my intention.’

I puff out my cheeks as I digest this information, which on one hand is positive – I haven’t hurt his pride by refusing his advances – but on the other, has now left me feeling stupid, embarrassed and undesirable, all rolled into one.Why didn’t he make this clear up front?I already know the answer to that question. Because when we met in the wine bar, he was nothing but a perfect gentleman, and he didn’t make anything resembling an advance. It was Amber and Cat who filled my head with silly ideas of him wanting in my knickers.

‘OK… great.’ I look around me, as if suddenly interested in every tiny detail of the gardens. ‘So, if you weren’t about to tell me I’m more beautiful than the stars in the sky and pull me into a super-hot movie-style embrace – not that I’ve been thinking about that at all – then… I think we’re good.’

I flash him a forced, mortified smile, no longer caring that I just made things even worse for myself in front of a man who has now had the opportunity to reject me both romantically and professionally.

‘Well, I am pleased that we have worked that out.’ Sébastien chuckles, then looks at me seriously. ‘Emma, I must make one thing clear. You are a beautiful woman. I already said you looked so when I greeted you this evening,non?’

I nod, eyes to the ground like a small child being brought round by an exasperated parent.

‘D’accord. So now may I tell you why I asked you to dinner?’

In my discomfiture, I’ve overlooked the fact that, if Sébastien wasn’t trying to seduce me, then there must indeed be another reason for his impromptu dinner invitation. I gesture for him to continue.

‘The reason I wanted to meet with you, Emma, was one of a professional nature.’ Sébastien makes a show of seeking out contact with me, leaving me with no choice but to meet his gaze. ‘Last night, I was halted by my desire to be fair to the other candidates in the selection process for the job vacancy I have. However, what I need is the right person and it would appear that you have the skills and personal qualities I am seeking. After some thought, I have decided that, in this case, offering you an opportunity, it is the right thing to do.’

‘You’re offering me the job?’ I’m completely gobsmacked, unable to believe that Amber’s tactics, however questionable, have worked. ‘Wow, Sébastien, this is—’

‘Excusez-moi, Emma.’ Sébastien stops me mid-sentence. ‘I am sorry, I have not been clear. What I mean is that I would like to offer you the opportunity to go through the selection process for the role – bypassing the initial stages, of course.’

Fuck. I’ve just made a tit of myself –again.

‘I knew that.’ I wave my hand jovially. ‘Sorry, I do that all the time. Us Brits and our humour.’

Oh my god, I need to shut the hell up.Like forever. And even that might not be long enough.

Sébastien’s amused but lightly appraising look causes me to waver like a sunflower in the breeze. ‘I enjoy your humour, Emma. You are likeable with an authentic quality that is very important in a leader – as long as you can be serious and take the tough decisions too.’

‘That, I can.’ I nod assertively, keen to redeem myself. ‘Like second nature to me.’

‘I am glad to hear this. So, does that mean you are interested in going through the process?’

‘I’m certainly interested in hearing more. Some information about role would be helpful. Where is it based?’

‘The location of the role is not important. We have people all over the world whom we bring together via technology. Home working is quite common within the “head office” arm of the company. There is also the requirement for international travel, and we have premises in Europe where our non-resort staff base comes together when necessary.’

I try to look calm and composed while my mind whirrs away at record speed. I’m struggling to process the shock, excitement, slight panic and embarrassment of this situation, all in one go.

‘I have a job profile,’ Sébastien continues. ‘I will have a copy sent to your suite, and I can answer any questions you have this evening… if you are feeling well enough to finish our meal together?’

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