Surrender

I smiled. I liked Aubrey. It occurred to me that she was the kind of person who could be a genuine friend if the circumstances were different. “Maybe wine refills?”

“I can do that.” She lifted the bottle and began pouring fresh glasses.

“What about me?” Paul rose from his barstool. “I’d like to help.”

“Why don’t you and Leo carry the salads in?” I suggested. “They’re on plates in the fridge.” I cracked the oven door and admired the chickens. The smell wafted through the kitchen.

The four salads were already prepared and chilling. Everyone began on their tasks while I placed the roasted chickens on the counter. A few minutes later, we sat around the dining room table.

It was the first time we had used the room. It was simple and elegant. The candles on the center of the table were lit. Our wine glasses were full. Everything should have felt perfect for a night with another couple, but it didn’t. It felt off. Wrong. I fidgeted with the napkin in my lap.

“I think a toast is in order.” Vaughn lifted his glass.

I held my breath, but I wasn’t sure why. I was more tense now than I had been the entire night.

“To new friends.” He nodded toward the Auclairs.

“Oui.” Paul lifted his glass in unison.

“And to Kate for making this dinner,” Aubrey piped in.

“To Kate,” Vaughn echoed.

I felt their eyes on me. The blood rushed to my cheeks. I guzzled the wine before my voice could crack or my nerves falter. This dinner meant something different to each person sitting around the table. Only, I had no idea what it meant for me. Had I saved Vaughn or hurt him? Did delivering Blackwing’s message put things back on track, or had I thrown him too far off course?

After dinner, I cleared the table and we moved into the sitting room. Vaughn and I sat together across from Paul and Aubrey. He squeezed my knee lightly before serving liqueur in tiny crystal cups. If there was one thing I had learned in Europe, it was that there was alcohol for every hour of the day. The cordial was sweet.

“New coffee table?” he asked.

“Yes. I found it today.” I’d never be able to look at it again without remembering my conversation with Eloise. I hated that table.

“I love it. Everything in your apartment is beautiful.” Aubrey touched the inlay with her fingertips. “I guess I’ll have to go furniture shopping soon. The flat feels empty even with boxes everywhere.” She sighed.

“I have a long list of stores if you’d like them.”

“That would be great.” She clutched the small cordial glass. “I have no idea where to even begin. Paris feels overwhelming at times. I miss my regular stores.”

“I understand that feeling.” I smiled softly. There were so many things I missed from home. Some days were easier than others. Being around another American made the distance seem farther.

“Are you going back an

y time soon?” Aubrey asked.

“Oh no.” I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“I keep thinking I’ll sneak a trip when Paul goes to a conference in a couple of weeks. It’s the holidays. I’d like to at least see my sister. She has three kids. It’s fun to visit them.”

The urge to volunteer my family’s information was there. I wanted to tell her I missed my brother too. I wondered how my mom and dad were doing. I wanted to talk to Greer. It was like they were suddenly sitting at the top of my heart—the pain of missing them was more palatable than it had been in all the weeks we’d moved to Paris.

“Maybe you can work that out.”

“Maybe.” Her eyes darted to the last sip of the liqueur.

Paul leaned into the sofa and closed his eyes while we talked.

“Uh-oh.” Aubrey poked him in the ribs. “You are not falling asleep here. Kate and Leo will never invite us for dinner again. His snoring is the worst.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry. We can do this again.”