Page 7 of Meet Me at Sunset

‘Hi Elle,’ Paulo said deliberately, clearly annoyed that she hadn’t acknowledged him.

‘Oh, Paulo, I didn’t notice you there,’ Elle replied dismissively, walking straight past him and planting a kiss on Lucas’s mouth. ‘Why are you working so hard, baby?’ she pouted, wrapping herself around him like a python.

‘I told you. We’re hosting a dinner for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones tonight.’

Elle’s eyes lit up. ‘Of course! Oh, I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted to meet them.’

‘I don’t think you’re invited,’ Paulo told her gleefully.

‘Well, I might just happen to be in the restaurant supporting my boyfriend,’ she replied sweetly, though her eyes were narrowed as she shot daggers at Paulo.

‘I don’t want her in the photo,’ Paulo said instantly to Lucas.

‘What photo?’ Elle demanded.

‘Nothing for you to worry about,’ Paulo retorted. ‘By the way, Lucas, has Camille arrived yet?’

‘Yes, she flew in yesterday. We met for lunch.’

‘Oh, I can’t wait to see your mother again,’ Elle squealed in excitement. ‘Is she coming tonight?’

‘Yes, she’s hosting the dinner. She’s designing a dress for Catherine.’

‘This is perfect,’ Elle gushed. ‘And did you speak to her about what we discussed?’

Lucas screwed up his face. ‘Remind me, what did we discuss?’

‘Me being the new face of Camille Andre, of course!’ Elle playfully tapped his chest. ‘You didn’t really forget!’

‘We didn’t really get

the chance to talk about it yesterday. We were catching up, discussing family matters …’

He trailed off as Camille’s expression turned into a pout. She stretched out her long, slender left arm and gazed at it sadly. ‘My arm looks so bare,’ she sighed. ‘What it really needs is a Camille bag and a huge diamond engagement ring.’

Paulo made a spluttering noise that sounded as though he was choking. Lucas’s eyes widened, as he and Paulo exchanged looks of alarm.

Lucas and Elle had been dating since the previous summer.

They’d met in Les Caves du Roy, the famous St Tropez nightclub, and though she was drop-dead gorgeous and they’d had a lot of fun, spending the evening flirting and kissing, Lucas hadn’t asked for her number.

When they had bumped into each other the next day over lunch at Le Club 55, Elle insisted it was fate.

One year later, she’d somehow charmed her way into Lucas’s life, and now they were in a serious relationship. She had a sweet side, but she was demanding, and she’d recently started dropping hints about getting married. As with everything Elle wanted, she wasn’t subtle about trying to get it …

‘I … um …’ Lucas began, his gold-flecked eyes flashing a signal to Paulo for help, but he was saved by a sharp knock on the external kitchen door.

Lucas hastily extracted himself from Elle’s penetrating gaze, only for the door to swing open sharply and reveal Diego, the seafood supplier to Il Paradiso.

He was gnarled and weather-beaten, with grey hair and a thick moustache.

‘ Hola , Diego,’ Lucas greeted him, then his face turned to confusion. ‘I don’t think we ordered anything today; we have plenty in stock.’

Diego looked furious. ‘I know you do – and I haven’t been paid for it. So maybe I should take it all back, huh?’ He strode over to one of the industrial walk-in fridges and wrenched at the handle.

‘Woah, I’m sure there’s just been a misunderstanding?’ Lucas darted across and tried to placate him. He glanced over at Paulo questioningly.

‘Just a misunderstanding,’ Paulo agreed easily. ‘Diego, listen, you know we are good for the money, I don’t have any cash on me right now. I’ll drop it in to you tomorrow morning, OK?’

‘That’s what you said last week,’ Diego fumed. ‘And the week before that. I’m tired of waiting. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m not giving you lobster for free so you can sell it for a fortune to your fancy customers.’

‘Hold on, Diego,’ Lucas intervened, concern clouding his features.

‘I don’t know what’s happened here, but just give me a moment.

’ He headed over to the cubbyhole where he’d left his rucksack.

Opening it, he pulled out his phone – noting the seventeen missed calls from Elle – and took out a stash of notes.

‘This should cover it, OK?’ Lucas added, as Diego snatched it from him.

He quickly riffled through, counting out the notes, then grunted, satisfied.

‘Thank you, Lucas. You , at least, are an honourable man.’ Diego shot Paulo a dirty look and walked out.

‘What was all that about?’ Lucas demanded, turning to Paulo once Diego was out of earshot.

‘Nothing, man, nothing. Just a little cashflow issue, that’s all. But nothing for you to worry about. Everything’s cool.’

‘Are you sure?’ Lucas pressed.

‘Of course. Would I lie to you?’ Paulo winked, back to his familiar, cocksure self. ‘Now, I’ll catch you later, OK? I’ve got a little business to sort out. à plus tard , Elle.’

She shot him a fake smile as he sauntered out of the door, then turned back to Lucas.

‘What do you think that was all about?’ Lucas wondered, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Elle shrugged her slender shoulders. ‘I don’t know. I mean, I know he’s your best friend, but I wouldn’t trust him with my car keys.’

Lucas’s face fell, and Elle sighed, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her body against his in an attempt to cheer him up.

‘Forget about him, he’s not important,’ she insisted, as she began nuzzling his neck with soft butterfly kisses.

‘Now, chéri , let’s talk about me being the next face of Camille Andre … ’