Trey brushed aside the unfamiliar feeling. There was no time to analyze it now. At this moment, his full focus had to be on making Sage happy. That was the entire point of this evening.
If it was at all in his power, he would do whatever it took to make it up to Sage for his deception. Decisions have consequences. He thought he knew that—he thought he understood—but then he’d made a big decision and the consequences turned out not to be his alone to shoulder. He wondered if his father ever came to the same conclusion.
Trey halted his thoughts. Their two scenarios were not the same. His father walked away from his family for a business. Trey hadn’t walked away from Sage. He wanted to think that somehow they could start over. Was that even possible?
He turned to her. His gaze lingered, taking in the dazzling sparkle of her eyes and the smile on her beautiful face. In that moment, he was filled with the notion that anything was possible if you wanted it bad enough. And he wanted Sage to be happy—with the night and with him. He wanted to be close to her again. He wanted her to bestow her sunny smile on him. He wanted all of her. Period.
And tonight was his chance to dazzle her, spoil her and just plain make her happy. So far it appeared to be working. Just wait until she found out what else he’d planned, including a very special present.
He cleared his throat. “I remembered what you told me about your father taking you on a trip for your birthday and I wanted to do something to honor that.”
“Trey, what did you do?”
A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes were on them.
“Don’t go getting too excited. I know we have to remain here in Cannes until the end of the festival and then return to California for the board meeting, so I thought I’d bring some of the world here to you.” He took her by the hand. The crowd parted, clearing a path for them into the dining room. It had been cleared of furniture and replaced with a very long buffet with a white linen tablecloth. “Here you’ll find cuisine flown in from around the world.”
Her mouth gaped. Her gaze moved from him to the food and then back to him. “You really flew all of this in for me?”
“I did.”
“No one has ever done anything so thoughtful for me.” And then her eyes shimmered with tears.
Panic clutched Trey. Tears weren’t good. Tears were out of his realm of control. They made him uncomfortable.
“I... I can make it all go away,” he said out of desperation.
She blinked the tears away. “Go away? Never. I love it.” She leaned forward and gave him a hug. It was brief, but it was a bridge that he hoped to build upon. “I’m sure all of your guests are hungry. I know I am.”
“But you don’t look happy. And this is your birthday. You should have whatever makes you happy.”
“Okay, then...” She hesitated as though
considering what would make her happiest. “For tonight, I want to pretend that all of that nastiness with Elsa and the thing with you never happened. I want to pretend the magazine isn’t in jeopardy and, for the first time since my parents died, all is right in the world.”
That was a really steep wish, but she was the birthday girl. “Tonight you will be a princess. And your wish is my command.” He bowed and waved toward the table.
A smile bloomed on her face. She walked over to the table. He joined her and explained the menu. Pho and goi cuon—noodle soup and spring rolls from Vietnam. Moussaka and baklava from Greece. Polenta and meatballs from Italy. And the list went on, with treats from the Philippines, Japan, India, Spain and more.
Sage turned to him. “I could never eat all of this. But I’m going to give it my best effort.”
He laughed. “That’s a plan.”
Once she filled her plate to the point of having absolutely no room left, she turned. There was no one behind them. She glanced to the crowd of finely dressed guests.
“Please, everyone, eat. Don’t let this culinary miracle go to waste.”
Everyone smiled and wished her happy birthday. Then they all got in line.
Trey led her out to the torch-lit balcony where linen-covered tables awaited them. The centerpieces were hurricane lamps that created a warm glow. He pulled out her chair and then he took the seat next to her.
“Thank you for this. It’s amazing.” She took a bite of the tiramisu from Italy.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me. I wanted to do it.”
“Really?” Her gaze searched his. “Or were you just trying to appease me?”
“There’s nothing to appease. Remember? You wished away our past?”