Page 122 of Perfume Girl

“Then enlighten me.”

“During the break-in someone stole my ledger that I write all my notes in.Andthey stole my perfume sample.” She was staring at me as though I might have answers.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“If I can replicate it I can save this place.”

“It was the one you hoped to license to Dazzle and Bazaar?”

“Yes.”

“License it to me.”

She sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“I get it. If you created this formula under my roof its ownership would be questionable.”

“I didn’t want you to believe I spent all of my time there simply working for myself.”

“I’d have been willing to discuss all of this with you. It’s me, Raquel.”

She lowered her gaze. “Legally you’d be protected. The formula would belong to you.”

“So all you needed was a few weeks’ salary and you’d have the funds to see you through to the end of the month?” Is that what we were looking at here?

Her expression looked conflicted. “No.”

“Then explain why minutes after leaving a meeting with me and my sister you left?” I gestured, showing my frustration. “Without saying goodbye.”

“I couldn’t let the meeting continue.”

“Why?”

She drew in a sharp breath. “Did Penelope say anything to you before you left work?”

“She’s eager to see our new formula resolved.” And her passion for once was inspiring.

“How did she seem?”

“No different, why?”

“I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye. I needed the time to resolve an issue.”

I shook my head. “I’m trying to understand. I thought you and I were going somewhere.”

“I just got divorced, Astor. I’m still picking up the pieces of my life and I’m not sure I could cope with…”

“I thought everything was good between us?”

“You told me you don’t do relationships.”

“Before you, I didn’t.”

“I refuse to be the fallout as a result of your reluctance to…”

“Love?”

“You don’t strike me as someone who wants that level of commitment.”