Surrender

“I’ll try him again,” I excused myself from the kitchen. “Work has been hectic since we moved.”

My phone was plugged into an outlet in the alcove by the front door. I crossed the marble entryway, ready to try Vaughn for the fifth time today when the door swung open.

I stared at him blankly. I had a million questions, but nothing came out of my mouth.

He quickly scanned my outfit.

“Babe, something smells delicious. Why are you dressed like that?” His brow furrowed. He knew something was off without me saying it. “I’m sorry I couldn’t call. But—”

He looked over my shoulder when he heard our neighbors laughing in the kitchen.

“Who is here?” His voice changed immediately.

“I invited the neighbors up from downstairs. They just moved in.”

“Without telling me?” he hissed.

I closed my eyes. We couldn’t get into this here. Not now. I took a steadying breath and stepped back toward the kitchen. “I’m going to tell our guests you need a few minutes before I serve dinner.”

“Kate,” he warned.

“Leo,” I fired back. “Is five minutes enough?” I couldn’t let this crumble now. I had gotten everyone in the same spot, just like I was supposed to do.

He hung his jacket in the alcove. He cleared his throat. “I’ll introduce myself.”

“Fine.” I walked in the kitchen, plastering a smile on my face. “Good news, Leo is here. He made it.”

I opened my hands to show off my handsome husband, but when I spun on my heels I saw the look in his eye when he spotted Paul. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like what I saw in his glance. It was quick. It was instant, but I hadn’t missed it. The flash of anger wasn’t disguised by his long lashes or the sexy grin on his face. Maybe he was Mr. Charming for Aubrey and Paul, but I saw right through his disguise.

Eloise had been right. He got the message. Only, I wasn’t sure what it said.

Chapter Seven

I wanted to follow Vaughn to the bedroom while he changed for dinner, but there was no way I could walk in there without both of us ripping into each other with a thousand questions. He undoubtedly wanted to know what Paul Auclair was doing in our kitchen. And I wanted to know why he hadn’t told me the man he was supposed to target lived two floors down from us. Why hadn’t he told me who Eloise really was? Where was he all evening if Paul was here?

Instead, I turned to our guests with a bright smile.

“He’ll be right back.” I crossed the hardwood floor to the fridge and withdrew an enormous cheese board I had prepared. “I can’t take full credit for this, but I picked up a few things for us to eat while we wait for Leo.” I presented the huge cutting board and slid it over the counter.

It was possibly the most artistic food display I had ever made. I felt more Parisian in that moment than I had since we moved. It was worthy of a picture and a hashtag, not that I could post either of them.

“This is a feast. See, Aubrey?” Paul winked. “Not that difficult.”

She shrugged and lifted a slice of cheese from the center. “I never told you I could cook.” I saw the wink she returned to her husband. “You knew exactly what you were getting into.”

There was something between them that was warm, yet playful. I could tell they were close, like old friends, but there was an air of romance that vibrated between their glances.

“How long have you been married?” I asked.

“Ten years,” Aubrey answered.

“That’s a long time.” I smiled. “Ten years is a milestone.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“Oh. Us?” I fidgeted in a drawer for a pair of serving tongs. “Two years.”

“Newlyweds. Babies.” Paul laughed.