Page 32 of Another Lucky Number

‘I did deal with it, dumbass. He didn’t see you here, did he? How was I meant to know he’d go for a personal visit? Ooh, maybe he’s got more than—’

‘Enough. Now’s not the time. What do I do?’

‘There’s a short cut to our suites from here,’ says Cat. ‘Through the gardens, past the tennis courts. I used it yesterday. If you run, you’ll beat him. Go, honey,quick.’

I look at Cat, then Amber, who simply offers a shrug of ‘go for it’, and I don’t need any further encouragement. I dart across the bar terrace, canter down the wide stone steps to the poolside and take off across the resort gardens at a speed I didn’t know I had in me. Sprinting past the meandering holidaymakers, I attract more than a handful of odd looks, but I don’t care. Only one thing matters:I must make it to my suite before Sébastien.

On reaching the accommodation block where my room is located, I creep through the door from the garden into the corridor and sneak up the stairs to make sure that Sébastien isn’t already there.

He’s not. I’ve made it.

I slip inside my suite, panting heavily from the unexpected exertion, and empty the contents of my handbag onto my bed to find some chewing gum to mask the smell of the alcohol. I’m chewing furiously, while simultaneously fanning myself with a magazine, when the bell to my suite rings.

After a leisurely count to ten, to appear like someone so ‘in the zone’, I didn’t even register the interruption at first, I wander across to the door and open it.

‘Sébastien, what a surprise. What can I do for you?’

‘Salut, Emma.’ He greets me with a twinklingly sexy smile that almost sends my overheated body into meltdown. ‘I was wondering if I might speak with you?’

‘Eh… yes, of course.’ I look at him expectantly and we stand awkwardly for a moment, before I realise that he’s waiting to be invited inside. ‘Come on in.’

He gives an appreciative nod as he walks past me and I close the door.

‘Take a seat.’ I gesture to the sofa. ‘Would you like a drink from the minibar? Some water, maybe?’

‘Non, merci. I will not take up your time. But I thought it important to speak with you.’

‘Oh? Why’s that?’ I sit a safe distance from him, hoping I’m giving off the air of someone not in the know. ‘You’re not cancelling the interview, are you?’

‘Ah, no, not at all. My apologies, Emma, I did not mean to cause you concern.’ Sébastien fixes his intense gaze on mine and suddenly my temperature is rising again, this time because we’re alone, with a bed no more than five metres away. He may have made it clear he has no romantic intentions towards me, but unless my radar is completely off, this moment is turbo-charged with sexual chemistry.

‘Maybe we should sit outside,’ I announce, jumping up from my seated position. ‘I could do with some fresh air.’

Before Sébastien has a chance to say anything, the patio doors are open and I’ve stepped outside, leaving him with no option but to follow. Then, halfway through the doorway, he stops, steps back inside and looks around.

‘Everything OK?’ I ask.

‘Eh… oui.’ He joins me on the balcony terrace and we take aseat at the table. ‘I was… thinking about your preparation. I do not see any notebook, laptop, pen.’

Because they’re all at the bar.Bugger.What’s my excuse?

‘Oh, right.’ I chuckle, stalling for time. ‘They’re… um… in the bathroom.’

What the hell?Why did I say that?Now he’ll be imagining me sitting on the pan swotting up on the hotel’s vision and values.

‘I see.’ Sébastien is too polite to question this further, but there’s a trace of amusement in his eyes. ‘Amber tells me that you will not take time to enjoy your surroundings, while preparing for your interview, and I find this concerning.’

‘You do?’

‘Bien sûr.’ He fixes his gaze on mine once more, but this time the earlier sexual chemistry I sensed is distinctly absent; perhaps due to my unfortunate bathroom admission. ‘Emma, as the owner of this resort, I know you have paid a lot of money to be here. I am also assuming that you do not take voyages like this often, yes?’

‘Well, yes, but it’s no big deal. My career is more important than any—’

‘Emma,s’il te plait.’ Sébastien holds up a hand to silence me. ‘I do not agree. Rest is as important as a career. Without rest, we cannot do our best at work or in life. I understand that – as your interviewer – I must not interfere with how much preparation you do, but I can make some suggestion towards how you do it. I propose that you make the most of your surroundings: do your thinking while swimming in the pool, practise your presentation in the bar, have your friends test your interview skills on the beach. Please do not stay in this suite and miss the opportunity for some relaxation and enjoyment while you prepare for your interview. And perhaps also some inspiration.’

Sébastien’s words are like a beautiful symphony to my ears. He’s suggesting more or less exactly what Cat and Amber have planned forme. Now I have full licence to go ahead with our plan without him thinking I’m not taking this seriously.

‘You know what…’ I make a show of thinking this through. ‘You’re absolutely right. That’s what I need to do. Thank you, Sébastien.’

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