Miss White and the Seventh Heir

“You gasped.”

Oh, yes, that. Hmm... “I just remembered that I have something important to discuss with you and we’re running out of time.”

He continued to stare at her as though not sure if he believed her or not. Even Happy had lifted his head and was staring at her. She was going to have to work harder at keeping her thoughts in line. And if she did have an errant thought, she would not—could not—react.

“Are you going to serve up that mystery food? I’m starving.” She cleared off space on her desk so they could eat there.

Trey quickly served up the food. When he lifted the lid on hers, he said, “It’s citrus grilled salmon with rice noodles and vegetables.”

She was quite pleased with the selection. “But how did you know that I love salmon?”

He retrieved his lunch from the bag. “Truth?”

&n

bsp; She nodded, wondering if Louise had been his source of information. If so, she was going to have to say something. She couldn’t have Louise going around sharing all her personal information—no matter how well intended.

“I guessed.” He sent her a smile. She refused to acknowledge the way the twinkle in his eyes made her stomach dip.

“Good guess.”

“And how’s—” Trey nodded toward Happy “—he doing?”

“You wouldn’t even know he didn’t belong here all along. He’s made himself right at home.”

“You know the longer he’s here, the harder it’s going to be to give him up.”

She didn’t want to think about parting with the dog. “How about we cross that bridge when we get to it?”

Trey looked as though he were going to say something else, but then he nodded in agreement.

After they were halfway through their meal, Sage glanced over the glass desktop at him. “Is your passport up to date?”

His brows rose high on his forehead. “It is.”

“Good. I have exciting news. We’re attending the Cannes Film Festival.”

The lack of expression on his face surprised her. “And you’re looking for an escort?”

He didn’t have any idea just how appealing that sounded to her. In fact, it surprised her quite a bit. She prided herself on being self-sufficient and not needing someone in her life. After her father’s funeral, she’d felt profoundly alone. She’d foolishly thought Elsa would feel the same way and that they could lean on each other. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Her stepmother had taught her that the only person Sage could count on was herself. Being reduced to Elsa’s maid after her father’s death had been jarring, but then to be kicked out of her childhood home on her eighteenth birthday drove home that lesson. Sage had never felt more alone—more betrayed.

And it reminded her not to get too comfortable with Trey. They’d shared a moment of friendship today as they helped Happy, but it needed to stop.

“Sage? Hey. Hello.” Trey waved his hand in front of her face. When she focused in on him, he asked, “Where did you go?”

“Sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts.”

“Not happy ones, I take it.”

“Was it that obvious?” She really didn’t have a poker face.

He nodded. “If you don’t want me to go to France with you, I’m fine with that.”

“No, it’s not that. I was just thinking about my stepmother.”

“Thinking about going to France with me makes you think of your stepmother? I’m confused.”