Page 14 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Isabella stopped, taking him in. He was wearing a tailored shirt that outlined and hugged his broad shoulders. His blond hair, styled in a relaxed way. His high cheekbones and square jaw, those of a model, rather than a corporate big shot. As if sensing her eyes on him, Christian looked up. His eyes roamed her body, setting tiny sparks of desire flooding her system. Isabella registered his initial look of shock... an unexplained warmth settling in her chest, before Christian quickly schooled it with a smile. Isabella found she liked the idea that she’d surprised him.

Christian rose from his seat, his hands resting on her forearms as he drew her in for a kiss on the cheek. His lips sent ripples of awareness through her, where his mouth touched her skin.

“You look stunning, Isabella,” Christian said, pulling out the chair next to him and gesturing for her to sit down.

“Thank you,” Isabella said, taking a seat, careful to smooth her dress down.

“Can I get you a drink?” Christian asked, already motioning for the waiter.

“A lime soda, please,” Isabella said as their server approached.

Christian raised an eyebrow at her request, and Isabella had to smile.

“I run a yoga retreat. My party-girl days are behind me. I’ll have a drink with dinner, but with the humidity here, I’ve learned the importance of staying hydrated.”

Christian nodded, taking another sip of his drink.

“This is quite a change from the life you and Scarlett lived,” Christian said as Isabella’s drink arrived.

“Times change. When Scarlett left for the US, life and friendships were never the same. My engagement... when that ended... Let’s just say it was easier to pack up and reset. With Dad gone, there was nothing keeping me there.”

Christian’s face fell. “I was sorry to hear about your father. Dominic was a good man. I had a lot of respect for him... I’d heard you were engaged. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“I’m not,” Isabella said, taking a sip of her drink.

Unsure why she’d even raised Edward’s name. Maybe she wanted to know what Christian knew.

“My life after your father died was a little crazy,” he added cryptically. “I was fighting to keep The Dupree Group afloat. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

Isabella leaned forward and touched his arm, shards of awareness shooting through her hand.

“Thank you. What is it they say? What doesn’t break you makes you stronger?”

It was certainly true for her.

Eight years had passed since her father had been ripped from her life. Dominic King had liked to keep himself fit. He’d always said his early morning walks allowed him to clear his head before he went into the office. The morning of his death, a car careened across the road and mounted the pavement. Its driver suffered a heart attack at the wheel. It had been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Both her father and the driver had died on impact.

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief as Henri and Patrice entered the bar area, making their way over to where they sat.

Isabella and Christian rose to greet them, Patrice taking Isabella into a hug. “You made it. Wow, you look beautiful... doesn’t she, Christian?”

“I’ve already told her as much,” Christian added dryly.

“Thank you,” Isabella said, taking in the older, beautiful woman with the twinkling eyes.

She knew she was going to enjoy this woman’s company.

Henri and Patrice ordered drinks, and the four of them made small talk until their table was ready.

The dining room was beneath The Lounge. The ceiling was double height, with wooden beams crisscrossing the area. Rectangular tables of varying sizes adorned the space, each beautifully made up with crisp white tablecloths lit by hidden ambient lights. This was nothing like the plastic tables at the local Hawker centre. An indistinct murmur of voices filled the room from the few guests who were already seated. The sound of light music filtering into the room was the only other noise. The manager showed them to their table. They opted to sit outside on the terrace. The midday heat had dropped, the air temperature now an embracing warmth. Like the restaurant, the terrace was lit with discreet lights, making it warm and inviting.

The men pulled out the chairs for the women. Patrice sat herself down next to Isabella. While Christian sat opposite her next to Henri.

Dinner went by without incident. Isabella had to admit, Patrice was great company. The men sat and discussed business for a portion of the meal, but they had then joined the women in their discussion. From what Patrice told her, the current CEO of Asia had resigned suddenly, and Henri, as CEO of the US and Christian CEO of Europe, were there talking to his replacement. They had shortlisted the candidate. They were there to dot theIsand cross theTs,before he took charge.

“So, you said you run a yoga retreat?” Henri asked.

“I do, with my best friend May. She is Thai. We met in India where we did our training. She invited me to come back with her, and open a business. That was nearly six years ago.”

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