“No, we didn’t have a ‘thing.’”
They’d had a thing.
Audrey wondered if Grace had taken her tights off.
“But you liked him. And he liked you.”
“It was complicated.” Grace pushed the other bowl of fries toward her. “Finish these, too, or I’ll be tempted.”
Audrey didn’t need encouragement. She was happy to consume anything put in front of her.
“They’re delicious.”
“Were you busy today? How was the bookshop?”
Your average nightmare.
She almost told the truth, but she didn’t trust Grace. She didn’t trust anyone.
“It was great, thanks.”
“Good.” Grace stood up. “I’ll ask them to clear the table, and we can have dessert.”
The sun was setting over Paris, red streaks fingering their way across a darkening sky.
Audrey wondered what Etienne was doing. Probably having wild French sex with some bookish person.
Afterward, instead of lighting a cigarette, they probably opened a book and read together.
A team of uniformed staff appeared in the suite and cleared the table.
A man handed Audrey another menu.
“What’s this?”
“For dessert, mademoiselle.” He hovered, waiting for her to choose and Audrey felt her palms start to sweat.
She was about to say that she didn’t want anything, when Grace turned to the waiter.
“We’ll call down when we’ve chosen.” Her tone was cool. “Thank you.” She walked the man to the door of the suite and closed it firmly behind him.
Audrey stared hard at the menu, feeling as if someone was shining a big spotlight on her.
She felt Grace’s hand on her shoulder.
“Is it dyslexia?”
“What? What are you talking about?” Audrey felt her face burn and slumped slightly in her chair. “How do you know that?”
“One of my students with dyslexia struggles with left and right. You remind me a little of her although no two people struggle in exactly the same way, of course. I’ve worked with lots of children and young adults who have dyslexia. It’s very common.”
Feeling exposed and vulnerable, Audrey put the menu down. “It doesn’t bother me much.”
Yeah, right.
Grace picked up the menu. “Tell me your favorite dessert and I’ll order.”
Audrey felt the pressure in her stomach ease. “Anything chocolate.”