Page 11 of Finally Forever
“Yes.” He draws out the word, as if unsure, and releases my hand.
“I’m fine. Better than fine,” I assure him. A bit lonely, but he doesn’t need to know that. “Things are kind of crazy right now, though. We haven’t lived here for long and, like I said, there’s a lot to the story. I want to share all the wonderful news with you.” More than you know. “But I’m actually late for a class meeting.”
“Class?” His eyes narrow.
“The local college. I’ve been studying interior design.”
“What! Wow! Ainsley?” He covers his heart. “I’m so happy for you. You’re following your dream.”
I smile and nod, tears stinging my eyes. Lowell knows the struggles I had with my controlling mom and how she pushed me to study teaching for the job stability and ridiculed me for wanting to be an interior designer.
“And you’re doing it here, in France, of all places,” he says with surprise and awe. “Did I possibly inspire you?”
“You always inspire me,” I say honestly. “And as much as I would love to stay and keep talking, I really need to go.” I stand.
He jumps up. “Wait. Do you remember my number? I assume no and that’s why you haven’t called or texted to give me your new number.”
“Yes,” I lie. “That’s what happened.”
He waves his fingers at me. “Give me your phone. I’ll add it.”
I hesitate. He’s not asking for my number, just wants to give me his. Harmless. “Okay.” I unlock my phone and pass it to him.
He adds his number and hands it back. “Don’t forget to call. Luc and I will be here for three more days. I would love to meet up and hear all about your life. You owe me, Ainsley.”
I do. He helped me when no one else was there for me. “I’ll call. I promise, and I want to see you again before you leave.” I would love for him to meet Sebastian too, but I don’t know if I can pull that off.
He comes around the table and hugs me. “Seeing you has made me realize how much I miss you.”
“Me too.”
I release my hold on him and step back. “Do me a favor. Don’t tell Harper you saw me. I need time to figure out what to do about her.”
“Got it.” He nods. “Don’t forget to call me.”
“I won’t.” Forget, that is. Will I be allowed…? Ugh. For the first time ever, I hate this situation.
“Have a good meeting,” he says as I walk away.
“I will. Thank you.” I blow him a kiss and hope it’s not the last time I see his beautiful face.
The moment I exit the door, Xavier walks up to me. Per our protocol, I stop to check out a perfumed bar of soap on a table outside the lotion store. He does the same, as if we’re strangers browsing side-by-side.
“You were in there for a while.”
I pick up a bottle of moisturizer and read the label. “There are a lot of dresses. I got caught up. Everything is fine.” I can’t broach the subject of Lowell without talking to Sebastian first.
“You’re late for your meeting.” He sniffs a lotion.
“That’s where I was heading.”
“Stick to the plan, please,” he urges.
Never did I think I’d feel suffocated from this life, but as of right now, I do.
5
Sebastian
