Page 36 of She's Like the Wind
Aurelie leaned against my bedroom doorway, arms crossed, a glass of rosé in hand, watching me like a stylist who didn’t quite trust the model not to sabotage her own shoot.
“I’m just saying”—I rose as I adjusted the silk wrap dress for the fifth time—“what if this is a mistake?”
“It’s a date, not a marriage license. You’re having dinner and drinks with a hot, successful man who flirted with you like a gentleman and asked for your number in front of God, his sister-in-law, and lingerie. If that’s a mistake, I’d like to make several.”
I laughed softly despite myself.
Aurelie wasn’t wrong, and…yet.
She moved behind me and spoke to my reflection in the mirror, her voice gentle. “You don’t have to be over Gage to go out with someone else.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I looked away, brushing a curl behind my ear. “I’m trying.”
“Then let Jonah be a night of trying.” She smiled, her hands on my waist, her chin on my shoulder. “And if it goes well, maybe a night of tryingtwice.”
I gave her a soft, amused glance. “You’re incorrigible.”
She stepped away and regarded me with quiet consideration. “Youwillget over Gage, Naomi.”
“Will I?” I closed my eyes and turned away from the mirror to face my friend. “When?”
I was feeling rather desperate to beoverthe man who didn’t want my love or me, who was happier with transient relationships that were based on superficial attraction.
“Yes, you will,” she said firmly. “Now go charm the hot restaurateur. I’ll text you at nine to make sure you haven’t climbed out a bathroom window.”
Aurelie left a little before seven when Jonah was supposed to arrive, and he did, on the dot, as the intercom buzzed at 6:59 p.m.
When I opened the door to the street, he was standing there in a navy linen suit with an open collar, holding a bouquet of wildflowers and wearing a smile that should’ve made me feel more than it did.
“You look incredible.”
“You’re not too bad yourself.”
“What can I say, I clean up nice.” He handed me the flowers. “I thought you might like something a little wild.”
I rolled my eyes at the comment. “I’ll just put them in a vase.”
The bouquet was soft and tangled, like it had beengathered from the edge of a dream. This man had all the moves!
I didn’t take him to my apartment. I wasn’t ready for that. But I opened the store and arranged the flowers on the table by the register.
“So, where are we going tonight?” I asked him as we walked toward Dauphine, where he said his car was.
I willed myself to relax, to let go, to let the night be easy.
The car was a sedan and came with a driver.
Very fancy!
Andverydifferent from Gage’s truck.
Jonah opened the car door for me, and I slid inside, grateful I’d dressed up—he was clearly pulling out all the stops.
“Have you been to Saffron?” he asked as he settled in next to me, the door shutting with a muted click.
