Page 79 of French Escapade

I would love to be able to say that my turn will come soon, but I’m not sure that’s really true. I’ve been thinking about it since I opened my eyes. The past few days have gone by so fast.

The last thing I would have expected last week was to meet a man who makes me feel this way. Getting close to Ken was so easy, like it was meant to be. But when I think about it, I realize there’s a major issue: we live so far away from each other.

How silly is it of me to dream about a future, when there can’t be one? And for all I know, the amazing chemistry I feel between us could be one-sided. Chances are, Ken is not making any plans. He’s looking at what happened between us as what it was—a one-night stand.

I look at my watch. “I should get going. I need to find a way to get back, and given my boss’s mood, I’d better hurry.”

“Wait. Andrea will drive you to the heliport. It will be faster that way,” Ted answers.

“No, it’s fine. I can—” But he’s already shooting orders. Ken comes to me, puts a hand on my face, and caresses my cheek with his thumb. His green eyes study me.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

I nod. “They’re going to yell at me, and I would rather not have any witnesses,” I joke.

He doesn’t smile. He clenches his jaw, all his muscles contracting.

“Madison needs your support. The gendarmes will interview her. She’s going to have to relive painful moments. You have to be by her side for that,” I add.

He nods, but I can feel he’s still torn, so I whisper, “We’ll be together again in a few hours, right?”

“I sure hope so,” he answers with a smile.

“Hey, lovebirds, sorry to rush you,” Ted cuts in. “But we have an opening in twenty minutes for the chopper, and it would be best if Élodie didn’t miss it.”

I move away from Ken, putting on a good face to reassure him. I’m heading back to the car when Ted stops me.

“Listen, I know that the timing is probably wrong, and I would have loved to have a better chance to talk to you about it, but there’s one thing I need to tell you.”

Surprised, I look up at him.

“I just wanted you to know that if things go bad over there for you, you have choices.”

I frown, and he explains. “My company is growing, and during the last two days, I’ve been able to see what you can do. So, if you want to turn in your badge and go private … well, my door is wide open.”

This is such a surprise that it must show on my face. Ted laughs. “I don’t want your answer now, or next week, or even next month. I just needed you to know that before you went back to your boss.”

“Thanks, Ted. I don’t have the words…”

“Aouiwould be fine,” he jokes. “Go catch your ride, but when you’re flying over the sea, think about it.”

He winks at me and moves toward Ken and Madison while I jump in the car, my head full of new possibilities.

* * *