Page 60 of All the Gossip from Paris
Hot mess in heels.
The fuck?
Patrice’s chuckle became a full on laugh. “It’s absolutely hilarious. I saw it in the window of one of those cheap clothing stores and immediately thought of you.”
Of course her ex would think such a gawdy thing would be funny. But Liam saw it for what it truly was—a sly way to put Sophie down.
Sophie folded the shirt up, and put it back into the bag. “Thank you, Patrice. It was clever of you to think of me when you saw it.”
He and Patrice exchanged a brief look. It was clear the Frenchman expected Liam to react to Sophie receiving such a heartless gift. To call him out for his behavior. Any sort of response would do.
But he wasn’t going to play that game.
I’ve dealt with plenty of assholes in my life. You don’t even make the top 10.
This was Sophie’s home. Her refuge. Liam was not going to take the bait. No. He was quietly enjoying the fact that Patrice had felt the need to come all the way out from Paris to try and humiliate Sophie. She was finally moving on, and her pig of a former boyfriend couldn’t stand it.
Don’t let him get to you Sophie.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get you a gift Patrice. I didn’t expect to see you until after the atelier reopens in January. I shall have to find something suitable for you too.”
He was so proud of her in that moment. Her back was ramrod straight, but Sophie held herself with grace. There was not a single sign that the gift had hurt her. That it had achieved its intended goal.
Fuck yeah! Go Sophie!
Liam wanted to shout those words from the rooftop.
Sophie turned away from her ex, and back to the ingredients for the cake.
“You’ll have to excuse me Patrice, but this is a time sensitive project. Liam and I have to get on with it. You won’t mind finding your own way back to the main house, will you?”
Patrice glared once more at Liam. When he got no response, he moved closer to Sophie. He held out his arms to her. “I thought you’d appreciate the joke, but maybe not in present company. Here.”
From his coat pocket he produced a small red square box. Liam held his breath. It was bigger than a ring box—at least that was one thing.
But it was real gift.
“Patrice, you didn’t have to. You’re really too generous.”
“Of course I had to give you a proper gift. It’s Christmas.” He handed her the box. “Open it. I think you’ll like it.”
She opened the box and as she did, Liam’s heart sank. Diamonds and silver glittered in the mid-morning light. Patrice took the bracelet out of the box, and slipped it onto Sophie’s wrist. “I knew it would look lovely on you sweetheart.” He bent and went to place a kiss on Sophie’s lips.
Liam’s back teeth ground so tightly together his jaw ached. This really wasn’t his fight. But if Patrice didn’t leave and soon, he was going to break his own rule about not throwing punches.
Sophie turned her head and politely offered Patrice her cheek. Liam’s hands which had begun to close into fists relaxed.
Oh burn!
When Patrice placed a hand on her face in an attempt to turn Sophie’s head back to face him, she shifted. Rising up on her toes she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then stepped back. “Thank you for the bracelet, Patrice. It’s absolutely beautiful. I shall wear it often. Have a lovely Christmas. Give my best wishes to your family,” she said.
As soon as they were alone again Sophie made her way back to where Liam waited at the kitchen bench. “He still thinks he is in the family club,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
She pointed at the gift bag. “Each year we are all sent the name of a Royal family member who will be on the island over Christmas. The tradition is to buy a cheap and loud gift for the person whose name you have been given. Patrice came to the island a couple of times at Christmas.”
“Ah. So he’s still trying to get back in. And the bracelet?”
