The Paris Connection

“A little late?” He consulted his watch. “I waited for forty-five minutes while you took your time getting here.”

“I told you, there was a lot of traffic.” Rather than continue arguing, she turned and started in the direction of the car park once more.

She didn’t wait to see if Cole Dorset followed. He called after her, but she didn’t stop, not until he finally used the company’s title.

“Aquitaine!”

She halted and turned, waiting for an apology regarding his rudeness.

“Here.”

He passed her the smaller of his two bags and kept walking.

* * *

DURING THE CAR ride to the Aquitaine offices, Cole grudgingly noted that perhaps his liaison’s excuse was valid. Parisian drivers took to the road like race car stars. They wove in and out with little regard for the vehicles around them, sliding so close that, a time or two, Cole found himself cringing in anticipation of a collision. He never said a word about this to Emma, who drove in steely silence, focused on the streets before them. The traffic was abominable, and at times, they proceeded at little more than a crawl.

As the time for his presentation to the board came and went, he pulled out his cell phone to call the office and let them know he was on his way. Emma said nothing, and he didn’t bother to speak to her.

He kept his gaze out the window, trying not to focus on the cars around them but rather taking in the sights of his new home. He noted the Arc de Triomphe, a monument more impressive in person than any of the pictures he had seen could convey. Not that he would admit that aloud, of course. He had no desire to be in this city and was determined it would not stir his curiosity in any way. It was his own small rebellion. But Emma must have noticed his absorption in the structure because she suddenly spoke.

“The Arc de Triomphe’s eternal flame is rekindled every night, to honor the soldiers who died in both world wars. There’s a museum inside, and the price of admission includes access to the top. The views aren’t quite as spectacular as the Eiffel Tower, but they’re still pretty amazing.”

In the distance, he caught a brief glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, that well-known symbol for romantics everywhere. He scoffed aloud. After Ophelia’s rejection and finding himself here in her place, the iconic monument didn’t exactly inspire feelings of happiness.

Emma must have noted his grunt of annoyance because he sensed her turn toward him.

“Look, I really am sorry I was late.”

He didn’t respond.

“I’ll explain to everyone that it was my fault.”

He felt a bit of his frustration ease but not by much. “Don’t bother,” he replied. “The receptionist at the office said it’s no problem, and Julien has already told them there’s been a delay.”

She seemed to be considering saying something more, but a particularly rabid driver on the left caused her to inhale sharply and keep her attention fixed on the road.

It was just as well. He wasn’t in the mood for conversation, especially with this woman who had kept him waiting, even if it wasn’t completely her fault. His mind was on other matters—how he was going to adjust to life in a foreign country, even a cultural metropolis such as Paris. He would miss the familiarity of New York and the life he’d left behind there.

But things had changed in recent months with Ophelia’s departure. Their breakup had put him on this course, and he was resigned to his fate.

Like it or not, Paris was his home now. He might as well learn to make the best of it.

* * *

WHEN EMMA ARRIVED at the Aquitaine offices with Cole in tow, she found she could not quite meet Julien’s eyes. She was afraid of what her mentor would say to her if he knew how she had spoken to their new CEO. Her assignment, after all, was to welcome Cole Dorset to France and their office, and things had certainly gotten off to a rocky start.

“Cole, it is a pleasure to see you again.” Julien extended a hand to the younger man and smiled warmly.

Cole placed his hand in Julien’s and apologized for his tardiness, but Julien waved away the apology. “The board was understanding. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival.”

The two exchanged further pleasantries as Emma looked away and in the direction of the conference room, where the board of directors and the staff had presumably already assembled.

“Emma?”

She turned her attention back to the two of them as Julien spoke her name.

“Have you filled Cole in on the details of the meeting?”

She swallowed, ashamed to admit that after their rough start that morning, she hadn’t bothered to bring her new boss up to speed.

“Um...well, we didn’t really get the chance....” She trailed off.

“Emma, I tasked you with giving him the details—”

Cole raised a hand to stall Julien’s reprimand. “It’s not her fault, Julien. I’m sure Emma will be happy to handle my introduction and explain my lateness while you fill me in.” He gave her a smile that was more smug than friendly.

With Julien present, Emma tried very hard not to glare. Despite her best efforts, she knew her frustration must have shown because Julien studied her severely, his lowered eyebrows revealing his displeasure.

“I suppose she will have to since she has done you a disservice in failing to update you as to the board’s feelings. Most are in agreement with the merger, but a few are waiting to see what you have to say concerning the benefits of Aquitaine joining Reid Recruiting.”

Cole frowned at this, and though she shouldn’t have, Emma felt a tiny bit triumphant. If Cole Dorset thought this job would be easy, he was mistaken. It would have been better if Julien had given the promotion to her, as he had promised.

As if he guessed her feelings on the matter, Cole turned toward her, his hazel eyes cold, as though blaming her for some of the board members’ doubts.

“I am sensing an undercurrent of hostility between you two,” Julien noted.

But rather than say anything more about her, the infuriating new boss grinned and clapped Julien on the back.

“Nonsense,” he insisted before smiling at Emma. She had a feeling Cole could be quite charming when he wanted to be, but at the moment, all she felt was irritated. “I’m sure Emma and I will be the very best of friends.”

* * *

COLE HAD TO admit that the morning’s aggravation was nearly worth it to witness Emma’s glare as Julien turned his back on the two of them. She clearly chafed at the position she found herself in, and he couldn’t help feeling a certain satisfaction at her misery.

After all, he certainly didn’t want to be here. He thought again of Ophelia and how her departure had forced this promotion into his hands. He wondered if she was still happy in paradise with her new husband. Though he wished her no ill will, the idea of her experiencing wedded bliss still left the faint taste of bitterness in his mouth.

But witnessing Emma’s frustration helped lift some of his own. At least he wasn’t the only one suffering in the wake of this merger. Still, he couldn’t help feeling just a touch guilty for how he’d reacted that morning. He hadn’t known how bad the traffic could be. Perhaps he should have scheduled his introduction for later in the afternoon, giving himself more time to reach the office after his arrival.

Too late now, though. The damage had already been done. Besides, he doubted Emma would have warmed to him even if he’d been holding a bouquet of roses when she’d first appeared.

“You’re translating for me during this meeting, right, Aquitaine?”

She slid a glance his way. “Yes. Is that a problem?”

“As long as you translate my exact words instead of making up your own, we should be fine.”

He couldn’t help smiling at the offended little gasp that escaped her lips just before they entered the conference room.