Chasing Heartbreak (Dark Love 6)

***

I spent a few days working from Mr. Auvray’s chateau. Being in Champagne brought back the nostalgia of not long ago when Noah and I spent the night chatting under the stars. Everything reminds me of him—the rustle of the trees as we walked beside them, the taste of the champagne we drank so eagerly together.

I miss him terribly, and it’s true, distance does make the heart grow fonder.

A team from our company joins me, going through the changes and capital improvements on the actual property. We eat delicious food, drink copious amounts of champagne, and tell stories while soaking up the picturesque countryside.

There’s little spare time to do anything on our own, but I manage to get away for a few hours, borrowing one of the Chateau’s bicycles and ride along the pebbled path admiring the scenery. I snap photographs, sending them to Noah until I brake suddenly, distracted by a chateau not too far from the Auvray’s.

I take a deep breath, admiring its beauty. It has period features, detailed in stone and surrounded by a peaceful-looking garden. The lawns are manicured to perfection, the flowers blossoming, and trees are planted to provide a bit of privacy.

It looks like a picture out of a fairy tale book, housing a damsel in distress waiting for her prince to save her.

I take a selfie, something I rarely do, and post it on Instagram along with the caption I read in a magazine. ‘Any home can be a castle when the King and Queen are in love.’

How perfect would it be if Noah were here? France will always own a piece of me, but without the man I love, the magic disappears. The pang hits me again, but this time it lingers for much longer.

By Monday morning, my outlook has turned bleak. We officially hit the four-week mark of being apart, and without any significant holidays plus both our workloads being busy, there isn’t even a chance for a quick getaway.

I sit at my desk, typing an email when there’s a knock on my door—Lex poking his head in. With an incredulous stare, my mouth falls open, surprised to see him.

“Lex? I had no idea you were coming.” He steps inside, taking a seat in the chair in front of me. “Charlie didn’t mention anything of the sort.”

“I’m here for business.”

“Sure, I can clear my schedule?”

“Please.”

I look up at him, noting his serious expression. Picking up the phone, I call Emile and ask her to clear my schedule for the rest of the day.

“Is everything okay?” she whispers before continuing, “Lex est un homme magnifique.”

I chuckle softly. “Off-limits, Emile.”

Placing the receiver down, Lex tilts his head to the side with curiosity.

“A certain assistant of mine thinks you’re beautiful,” I tease with a small laugh escaping. “Where’s Charlie to set her straight when you need her?”

Lex purses his lips, hiding his smile. “I’m here because I want to make you a job offer.”

“I have a job,” I remind him. “You know, holding down the fort in Europe. Bringing the money in.”

“Let me rephrase that question… I have a proposition for you.” He clears his throat, forcing me to take him seriously. “As you know, I’ve been wanting to expand into the hospitality industry and have my eye on acquiring some hotel chains. Now, granted, I’m looking at places we can completely overhaul and modernize with what the travel industry desperately craves.”

“It makes sense. Tourism is a sure money-maker if done right.”

“I want you to manage it from the ground up.”

“The project?”

“No, the business. You’ll be the President of the DeLuxe Group. We’ll begin with acquiring their portfolio of hotels. Invest in the ones we see potential in, sell off the small chains of no interest or growth.”

“That’s a change… and a challenge.”

I think about Noah and all the changes in my life. I’m just not sure if I want to invest my time in a new position. It’s almost like starting over again.

“Since when have you ever backed down from a challenge?”