Page 90 of All the Gossip from Paris
Sophie had made her choice. She’d chosen Patrice, and the life she was used to living. Only a fool would hang around any longer and make things awkward for everyone. He’d send his regards and thanks to the Royal family via Camille before he left.
Sophie knocked on the door to Liam’s room but there was no answer. She turned the handle and pushed it open. A deathly silence greeted her. His suitcase, camera bag, and computer equipment were all gone.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what had happened. He’d probably already read the article in French Vogue. Then after having seen her and Patrice, had put two and two together, and come up with a romantic reconciliation.
In the time she’d been in with her father, Liam had packed his things and left the estate.
She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and checked for messages. There were quite a few from Camille. Pictures of adorable baby outfits. Baby shoes. Hats. She’d had even managed to find a pint sized Paris Saint-Germain game shirt which she’d promptly bought despite Ryan’s protests.
After tapping a quick response, Sophie clicked on her other messages. There was nothing from Liam. She couldn’t blame him. If she’d been in his position she would have done the same thing—packed her things and quietly left.
I should have told him how I felt. God, I hope I haven’t left it too late.
Still, it hurt that he hadn’t left at least some sort of message for her. A simple goodbye.
She blinked back tears, angry with herself for not having spoken to him as soon as she’d returned from the river. She’d been so caught up with ensuring she kept the peace with Patrice and her father, she’d let Liam go without a word.
And where had her polite behavior got her? Right back where she always was, behind Patrice in her father’s estimations. Back to being a mere laquais in the atelier. Another cog in the wheel. Back to doing what she was told.
The bizarre idea of bringing her fun loving but completely useless younger brother into the atelier had been the last straw.
“No.”
She scrolled through to Liam’s contact details and hit the call button. To her bone deep relief, he answered almost immediately.
“Hey. Sorry I left without saying goodbye. It just seemed the right thing to do,” he said.
“Where are you?”
“I’ve just arrived at Camille and Ryan’s apartment. I’m going to stay here for a few hours. I’ve got a standby ticket for a flight to New York tonight.”
Tears clouded her sight. Liam was leaving.
“And then where will you go?” she asked.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment. Liam cleared his throat. “I’ve got that assignment in Brazil commencing late next week. Apparently, a famous Brazilian supermodel saw the work I did for Camille’s runway show. She liked the way I photographed the models.”
Liam had a real career. He’d built himself up from nothing, and was now a highly sought-after photographer.
While I’m still fighting just to be seen.
It was time to take a chance on him. On them. Push her cautious self out of the way and take a giant leap of faith.
“I’m going to come and see you—just give me a couple of hours to get some things sorted. Please don’t go anywhere. We need to talk.”
“Look, its ok, Soph. You don’t have to explain?—”
“Yeah, I do. It’s not what you think. Please stay where you are, I’m begging you,” she replied, cutting him off before he could get started again. The last thing she wanted was for him to give her an out.
“Um. Alright.”
“Promise. Promise you won’t go getting on any planes and leaving France. I mean it. If I have to come after you I will.”
His laugh trickled down the line. It went straight to her heart. “Pinky promise. I will stay right here.”
She had no idea what a pinky promise was, but if Liam had sworn one then she would hold him to it.
Sophie hung up the call. She was on her way to the door when she suddenly stopped. Crossing to the window, she threw back the latch, and pushed it open. Icy wind blew in from outside, but she didn’t care. Leaning forward, hands resting against the window ledge, she took in the winter landscape below.
