Page 10 of Another Lucky Number (Lucky Number #2)
Chapter Nine
H aving been shocked into a moment of comprehension, I now know why I feel ill: I can’t do this .
I can’t find myself wrapped in Sébastien’s arms, no matter how delicious an experience that could be – because of James.
It may only have been one date and a slew of flirtatious messages, but it doesn’t matter.
We’ve connected in a way that I already know is special.
I can’t risk ruining that; especially not for a sizzling but ultimately meaningless holiday romp.
Which makes this – whatever is developing between and Sébastien and I – impossible.
‘ Pardon , Emma.’ Sébastien seems (quite understandably) perturbed by my reaction. ‘What—’
‘I’m sorry, Sébastien,’ I cut him off to avoid this situation becoming any more awkward than it already is.
‘I can’t do this. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have led you on.
You’ve been nothing but a gentleman… and probably every straight woman in the world would think I’m an idiot – of course they would.
..’ I’m like a runaway train: I can hear myself, and I’m perfectly aware of how I sound, but I can’t seem to apply the brakes.
‘The thing is, I’ve met someone… not long before I arrived here.
I didn’t think it would matter to have a holiday fling with you, but it does.
And I know I don’t owe this other guy anything at this early stage, but I want to…
not in a slutty way, to be clear… in a loyal I-want-to-have-a-shot-at-being-your-girlfriend kind of way. So, you see, this just can’t happen…’
I continue to ramble almost incoherently, too terrified to stop and endure the humiliation of how we’ll go our separate ways from here. And in doing this, I completely miss Sébastien’s reaction.
‘Emma. Arrête. ’ He laughs, putting a finger to my lips to silence me. ‘Please.’
I stop and sort of hang there inelegantly, avoiding eye contact.
‘Emma… why do you think I invited you here this evening?’
I trace a pattern on the path with my toe, unable to bring myself to converse with him.
‘You think that I was trying to seduce you.’ His words suggest quite the opposite.
I look up at him and wince. ‘You mean you weren’t?’
‘No, Emma. That was not my intention.’
I puff out my cheeks as I digest this information, which on one hand is positive – I haven’t hurt his pride by refusing his advances – but on the other, has now left me feeling stupid, embarrassed and undesirable, all rolled into one.
Why didn’t he make this clear up front? I already know the answer to that question.
Because when we met in the wine bar, he was nothing but a perfect gentleman, and he didn’t make anything resembling an advance.
It was Amber and Cat who filled my head with silly ideas of him wanting in my knickers.
‘OK… great.’ I look around me, as if suddenly interested in every tiny detail of the gardens.
‘So, if you weren’t about to tell me I’m more beautiful than the stars in the sky and pull me into a super-hot movie-style embrace – not that I’ve been thinking about that at all – then… I think we’r e good.’
I flash him a forced, mortified smile, no longer caring that I just made things even worse for myself in front of a man who has now had the opportunity to reject me both romantically and professionally.
‘Well, I am pleased that we have worked that out.’ Sébastien chuckles, then looks at me seriously. ‘Emma, I must make one thing clear. You are a beautiful woman. I already said you looked so when I greeted you this evening, non ?’
I nod, eyes to the ground like a small child being brought round by an exasperated parent.
‘ D’accord . So now may I tell you why I asked you to dinner?’
In my discomfiture, I’ve overlooked the fact that, if Sébastien wasn’t trying to seduce me, then there must indeed be another reason for his impromptu dinner invitation. I gesture for him to continue.
‘The reason I wanted to meet with you, Emma, was one of a professional nature.’ Sébastien makes a show of seeking out contact with me, leaving me with no choice but to meet his gaze.
‘Last night, I was halted by my desire to be fair to the other candidates in the selection process for the job vacancy I have. However, what I need is the right person and it would appear that you have the skills and personal qualities I am seeking. After some thought, I have decided that, in this case, offering you an opportunity, it is the right thing to do.’
‘ You’re offering me the job ?’ I’m completely gobsmacked, unable to believe that Amber’s tactics, however questionable, have worked. ‘Wow, Sébastien, this is—’
‘ Excusez-moi , Emma.’ Sébastien stops me mid-sentence. ‘I am sorry, I have not been clear. What I mean is that I would like to offer you the opportunity to go through the selection process for the role – bypassing the initial stages, of course.’
Fuck . I’ve just made a tit of myself – again .
‘ I knew that .’ I wave my hand jovially. ‘Sorry, I do that all the time. Us Brits and our humour. ’
Oh my god, I need to shut the hell up. Like forever. And even that might not be long enough.
Sébastien’s amused but lightly appraising look causes me to waver like a sunflower in the breeze. ‘I enjoy your humour, Emma. You are likeable with an authentic quality that is very important in a leader – as long as you can be serious and take the tough decisions too.’
‘That, I can.’ I nod assertively, keen to redeem myself. ‘Like second nature to me.’
‘I am glad to hear this. So, does that mean you are interested in going through the process?’
‘I’m certainly interested in hearing more. Some information about role would be helpful. Where is it based?’
‘The location of the role is not important. We have people all over the world whom we bring together via technology. Home working is quite common within the “head office” arm of the company. There is also the requirement for international travel, and we have premises in Europe where our non-resort staff base comes together when necessary.’
I try to look calm and composed while my mind whirrs away at record speed. I’m struggling to process the shock, excitement, slight panic and embarrassment of this situation, all in one go.
‘I have a job profile,’ Sébastien continues. ‘I will have a copy sent to your suite, and I can answer any questions you have this evening… if you are feeling well enough to finish our meal together?’
I look out across the gardens as a momentary self-check. I’m feeling many things, some of which aren’t entirely pleasant, but queasy is no longer one of them.
‘Yes, I am.’ I smile at Sébastien. ‘Let’s go eat.’
‘ Excellent. ’ He pats my arm in a gesture that I interpret as think-no-more-about-the-misread-romantic-moment, which has the effect of making me think of nothing else, all the way back to our table.
A short time later, we’ve demolished our delicious main courses of fresh snapper, which was a fish I hadn’t tried before, as well as a scrumptious dessert, and we’re rounding off our meal with a rum liqueur.
Despite Sébastien’s offer to tell me more about the job, the conversation has been friendly and informal.
I’m dying to know more, but I’m determined not to be the one to bring it up.
With Amber having sold me as corporate personality of the year, and that being the driving factor for this whole professional encounter, I can’t afford to drop that facade.
Instead, I make a show of enjoying Sébastien’s company and engaging in light-hearted, intelligent conversation to ensure that any doubts he might have after our unfortunate encounter in the gardens are washed away.
Eventually, when I’m starting to wonder if he has indeed changed his mind, he finally gets to the point.
‘ Alors , Emma...’ His gaze lands on me in a manner that’s just too sexy for its own good. ‘Shall we bring this back to business?’
‘Sure. Sounds good.’ I mentally block out his magnetising effect and give a relaxed smile, hoping he’s buying my laid-back act. ‘I’m keen to hear more about the role.’
‘Of course. It is a strategic level role to support the company’s growth strategy.
Essentially, it is about scoping out resorts with potential and overseeing the end-to-end acquisition process for the ones we buy up.
They have to be integrated into the company financially, from a branding perspective, and also culturally. Does that make sense?’
‘It does. I’ve worked on a few acquisitions in the past. It sounds like a very interesting and challenging job.’
Sébastien’s done more than pique my interest. Until now, I didn’t even know this type of job existed.
This is it. It’s the dream career I’ve been seeking: in a totally different sector to my main professional experience, but I can tell from what Sébastien’s saying, that it’s a reasonably good match to my skills and experience.
And as Amber said, if I don’t put myself out there, how will I ever find the right opportunities?
‘Can you tell me a bit about your experience, Emma?’ says Sébastien. ‘Perhaps a quick summary of your CV?’
‘Erm… sure.’
Though I should have been prepared for this question, I find myself caught off guard – probably due to my brain being in holiday mode.
‘Let’s see… until recently I held a strategy and planning role within a FTSE 100 company…’
I give Sébastien a comprehensive run through of my professional experience, and I’m pleased to find that I don’t have to embellish it at all.
I just omit the fact that my ex-boss, Karla, had me do most of her work and stole all the credit.
As I talk, I’m almost surprised by how articulate I sound and how much I’m enjoying talking shop.
With my dreadful relationship with Karla having taken centre stage in my previous job, my confidence had taken a knock and any sense of achievement and self-fulfilment had evaporated.
I knew I was good at what I did and I got a lot out of it. I just forgot.
‘Well, Emma…’ Sébastien, who has been listening intently, addresses me once I’m done. ‘It sounds like you have quite an impressive skillset: in a different industry with different challenges, but the nuances of the hospitality industry can be learned.’
‘I agree. I made the transition from retail to financial services several years ago – in a more junior capacity, of course, but the premise is the same. A change of industry is exactly what I’m looking for and just the challenge I need.’
‘OK. Let me talk you through the selection process then. ’
As Sébastien shares the interview and assessment approach, I sit forward, genuinely riveted by this experience.
I can feel that familiar rumble of career hunger rising within me.
Though I undoubtedly have moments where common sense evades me, I know I’m sharp and I’ve always done well in the roles I’ve held.
In fact, until Karla got her claws into me, I was regarded as a serial high performer.
Well, watch out world… Professional Emma is back and it feels good. Really good .
‘Emma? Is that all right with you?’
Shit, I wasn’t listening . I’ve no idea what Sébastien has asked me. I should have saved my self-acclamation for after dinner. Scrutinising his face uncertainly, I decide it’s probably best to agree rather than admit I wasn’t focused on the conversation.
‘Um… yes, of course. That’s totally fine. I’m easy going with these things.’ I give a little wave of my hand to accentuate this trait.
‘ Super .’ Sébastien looks pleased with my answer. ‘Your flexibility will certainly work in your favour, Emma. Not everyone would be willing to sacrifice their holiday for a job interview. Especially when they are already on it.’
Sacrifice my holiday? What the hell have I just committed to? I had (naively, I now realise) assumed all this would happen once I was home.
‘Yes, well, that’s me… always easy going.’ I force as genuine as smile as possible. ‘Um… the selection process you just shared with me, do you have a printed copy I can refer to as part of my preparation?’
‘ Bien s?r , Emma. I will have all the information you need delivered to your suite. Please also speak to Charnice at reception about getting access to any resources you need – including a laptop if you do not have one with you.’
‘I don’t. Thanks, that’s great. And… when do you intend to ma ke a decision by?’ I mentally cross my fingers that he hasn’t already told me this.
‘Monday. The same day as your assessment. I committed to the other candidates that they would hear back by the end of that day, so it must be a quick turnaround.’
‘Right.’ I place my palms on the table in an effort to ground myself. ‘So, I have three days to prepare.’
‘Correct,’ he confirms. ‘I know that is tight, Emma, but you are clearly a focused and determined individual. I am sure that this will be another exciting challenge for you.’
Sébastien turns his attention to Lacherra to request the bill, while I struggle to take in what he’s said.
On Monday I have an interview for the biggest job of my life: a total game changer career-wise.
I’m going to have to put in the hours if I want a shot at this, and I so badly do, which means my holiday is over – at least for now.
As I battle to keep myself from having a nervous breakdown on the spot, I feel the nausea from earlier returning – and settling in comfortably for the next four days.