Chapter 119
Chapter 119
Mia’s POV
Morning arrived. For a moment, I lay still, until reality reasserted self.
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The twins were already awake. “Good morning to you too,” I murmured, rubbing the spot where one of them seemed to be practicing somersaults.
A discreet knock sounded at my door just as I was contemplating whether I had the energy to get up. “Yes?” I called, pushing myself into a sitting position.
“Good morning, Ms. Williams,” a woman’s voice responded. “I’ve brought your breakfast, as requested by Mrs. Morton.”
Scarlett, of course. I should have known she wouldn’t leave my morning meal to chance. “Come in, please.”
A uniformed staff member entered, pushing a cart laden with covered dishes, fresh flowers, and what appeared to be every international newspaper published that morning. “Where would you prefer to dine, madam? The terrace has been prepared, or I can set up here by the window.”
“The terrace sounds perfect,” I said, sliding my feet into the plush slippers that had been thoughtfully placed beside my bed.
“Your prenatal vitamin and iron supplement,” the attendant said, placing two pills discreetly beside my juice glass. “Mrs. Morton asked me to remind you that brunch is scheduled for eleven thirty, with car departure at eleven. Will you require assistance preparing for the day?”
“No, thank you,” I said, “I can manage.”
Left alone with my breakfast, I savored both the food and the view. Fresh berries, yogurt, whole grain toast with avocado, and perfectly scrambled eggs provided exactly the protein–heavy meal Dr. Matthews had recommended for mornings. The freshly squeezed orange juice tasted like liquid sunshine.
My phone buzzed with Scarlett’s distinctive tone:
Food acceptable? I told them NO soft cheeses even if they beg! Sleeping well? Need more pillows? Less pillows? Different pillows???
I couldn’t help smiling at her enthusiasm, typing back: Breakfast perfect. Bed perfect. Everything perfect. Thank you, vacation fairy godmother.
That’s more like it! See you at 11! Wear the blue dress with the white cardigan–weather perfect for it!
Trust Scarlett to have my wardrobe pre–planned as well. I finished my breakfast at a leisurely pace, enjoying the simple luxury of having nowhere to be and nothing urgent to do. After a shower in the marble bathroom (which featured no fewer than twelve shower heads and a bench that seemed designed specifically for pregnant women), I dressed as instructed in the blue maternity dress.
The hotel phone rang just as I was finishing my makeup.
“Ms. Williams?” A polished, professional female voice greeted me. “This is Camille from the concierge desk. A Mr. Thomas Wallace has arrived and is asking to see you and Mrs. Morton. Shall I send him up?”
Thomas.
Already here and apparently wasting no time. I silently cursed Scarlett’s matchmaking efficiency while keepin “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you, Camille.”
I texted Scarlett quickly: Your brother is here. Already. Did you give him our room number??
voice casual.
Her reply was immediate and suspiciously innocent: OMG what a coincidence! His flight must have arrived early! And maybe I mentioned we’d be here all morning… See you in the living room in 5! Wear lipstick!
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So much for our deal about orchestrating “coincidental” meetings I sighed.
When I emerged into the suite’s main living area, Thomas was already there, looking impossibly fresh despite what must have been an overnight flight. He wore a perfectly tailored gray suit that somehow managed to appear both businesslike and casually elegant, his dark hair slightly tousled in what was probably a deliberate style choice.
Mia said that Thomas wants to ask me out on a date. I’m pretty sure she’s making it up. I suspect she told Thomas the opposite, like “Mia wants to go out with you.” I need to figure out how to talk to Thomas about this.
“Mia,” he smiled, his usual reserved demeanor warming as he saw me. “You look well. París agrees with you already.”
“I’ve been here less than twelve hours,” I laughed, accepting his brief embrace. “Hardly enough time for the city to work its magic.”
Scarlett burst in from the adjacent room, looking runway–ready in breezy white sundress and oversized sunglasses.
“Tommy!” she exclaimed with theatrical surprise. “What an unexpected delight! What a coincidence! What perfect timing!”
Thomas raised an eyebrow at his sister. “Yes, quite the coincidence.”
I shot Scarlett a look that clearly said ‘I knew it,‘ which she pointedly ignored.
“Just in time to join us for brunch at the most adorable café.” Scarlett smiled.
“I wouldn’t want to impose on your plans,” Thomas said with diplomatic precision.
“Nonsense!” Scarlett declared. “Mia was just saying she hoped you’d join us, weren’t you, Mia?”
“I don’t believe those words have ever left my mouth,” I said dryly.
Thomas’s lips twitched with suppressed amusement.
Scarlett protested, though she didn’t seem particularly offended. “I’m hungry. So unless you two would prefer to continue this awkward dance without food, I suggest we head downstairs. Henris waiting.”
The café Scarlett had chosen was exactly as promised, quintessentially Parisian. Tucked away on a side street near the Tuileries Gardens, it featured a vine–covered terrace shaded by striped awnings and filled with well–dressed patrons speaking rapid
French.
“Madame Morton,” the maître d‘ greeted Scarlett with the warmth of an old friend, kissing both her cheeks. “Your table iş ready, as always. The best spot on the terrace.”
How Scarlett had managed to become a regular at a café she’d visited perhaps twice before remained a mystery, but the staff treated her like royalty as we were escorted to a prime corner table with an unobstructed view of both the street and the gardens beyond.
“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering their specialty pastry basket,” Scarlett announced as we settled in. “The pain au chocolat will change your life.”
“Should you be eating chocolate?” Thomas asked me with genuine concern. “I thought caffeine was restricted during pregnancy.”
“The amount in a pain au chocolat is negligible,” I assured him, touched by his attention to detail despite being mildly annoyed that everyone seemed to have memorized my dietary restrictions. Dr. Matthews cleared me for occasional chocolate treats.”
“Excellent,” Scarlett declared, as if she’d personally won a battle. In that case, you should also try their hot chocolate. It’s basically a religious experience.”
Thomas watched his sister with amused tolerance, his expression softening in a way I rarely saw from him.
“So, Tommy,” Scarlett said once we’d ordered, “what ‘urgent business‘ brings you to Paris exactly when we happen to be here? Such a strange coincidence.”
Chapter 119
“Quarterly audit of the European division,” he replied smoothly. Standard procedure.” “In person? When video conferencing exists?” she pressed, eyes twinkling “Some things require a personal touch,” he said, unruffled by her teasing “Mmmm, personal touch,” she repeated suggestively, waggling her eyebrows. “Scarlett,” 1 kicked her gently under the table.
“What?” she asked with exaggerated innocence. “I’m making conversation.”
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Thomas, thankfully, seemed more amused than embarrassed by his sister’s antics. “How long are you staying in Paris?” he asked me, skillfully changing the subject.
“Two weeks,” I replied, grateful for the redirect. “I have a meeting with Leblanc & Associates on Thursday to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.”
“The architectural firm?” Thomas looked genuinely interested.
I blinked, surprised by his knowledge. “You’re familiar with their work?”
“I make it my business to stay informed about innovation across industries,” he said, “I read their feature in Architectural Digest last month.”
“Nerd alert,” Scarlett stage–whispered, then yelped when Thomas flicked water at her from his glass. “Hey! Designer dress here!”
I look at Thomas and Scarlett. They are really charming. I mean, their vibe. Their sibling dynamic was so different from my relationship with Taylor. They are warm. Me and Taylor, it was just toxicity masquerading as blood relation.
Our food arrived–delicate pastries, perfectly cooked eggs, and fresh fruit arranged with artistic precision. The first bite of pain au chocolat was indeed transcendent, the buttery layers giving way to rich, melted chocolate that somehow managed to be both indulgent and light.
“Told you,” Scarlett said smugly, noting my expression. “Religious experience.”
“How’s Morton adjusting to married life?” Thomas asked his sister, a hint of brotherly teasing in his tone.
“Admirably,” Scarlett replied with exaggerated dignity. “He’s only tried to create a spreadsheet for our relationship three times
this month.”
“That’s progress,” Thomas noted gravely.
“We’ve compromised,” she explained, sipping her coffee. “He gets to optimize our vacation itineraries if I get veto power over anything that involves waking up before nine AM.”
“Sensible,” Thomas nodded, then turned to me. “How about you, Mia?”
His question caught me off guard. I swallowed the food in my mouth. “I, I am good.”
“We should discuss Thursday’s schedule. Thomas, since you’re here anyway, you should join us for dinner after Mia’s meeting with Leblanc.” Scarlett interjected, clearly sensing my discomfort.
“I wouldn’t want to intrude on your plans,” Thomas said, echoing his earlier sentiment.
“It’s not an intrusion if you’re invited,” Scarlett insisted. “Right, Mia?”
I almost choked. It looks like Thomas is going to be with me all the time. “If your audit schedule allows.”
“I’m sure I can arrange it,” he said with a small smile.
As we prepared to leave, Thomas insisted on handling the bill despite Scarlett’s protests that it was “on Morton’s corporate
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account anyway.” The siblings‘ good–natured bickering continued as we made our way to the waiting car, Henri standing at attention beside the gleaming black Mercedes.
“Back to the hotel, madam?” Henri asked as we approached.
“Yes, please,” Scarlett confirmed. “Mia has a spa appointment at two, and I have important shopping reconnaissance to conduct.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow. “Shopping reconnaissance?”
“It’s a real thing,” she insisted. “I need to survey the latest collections before committing to any major purchases. Fashion strategy, Tommy. Very serious business.”
vey ris
He shook his head with fond exasperation. “I’m sure it is.”
As Henri held the car door, Thomas turned to me. “May I walk you to your spa appointment later? I have a meeting nearby at one thirty.”
Scarlett raised an eyebrow. She seemed very happy for me to be alone with Thomas. Well, this is all getting a bit out of hand.
Maybe I should have a word with Thomas. If he’s going to keep turning up ‘just in time‘ like this for the next few days.
“That would be nice,” I agreed, ignoring her smug expression. “Thank you.”
I caught Scarlett’s poorly concealed smile of triumph.
Chapter 120 Wide Open
