Page 7 of Perfume Girl

Forcing a courteous smile I said, “You have it on you?”

With a triumphant flip of her wrist she presented a small Lalique bottle containing a clear liquid. Shards of light reflected off the crystal in a hypnotic prelude to the fragrance.

“It’s not finished though, right?”

She looked impressed. “I’m almost there. Thought I’d get your input as you’re the expert at refinement.”

“Is that Oud I’m picking up?”

Penelope removed the stopper and raised the bottle with pride. She rose a little out of her seat, leaned over the table and sprayed. I waved the mist away from my face.

“Well?” She tucked her tongue in her cheek.

I pushed to my feet and my chair scraped loudly. It drew unwanted attention. “I have a meeting.”

“You don’t like it?”

It was the fact that this masterpiece had been showcased in a damn restaurant. This wasn’t proper etiquette, it was classless, and she knew this setting would throw me off and give her the advantage. A place she loved to reign.

Snatching the bottle out of her hand, I clutched it in my palm possessively. “I’ll take a look.”

“Hey!”

“I’ll see you back at the office.” I pulled out my wallet and tossed cash on the table to cover lunch as well as a new perfume.

“You haven’t finished your meal!” Penelope called after me.

The scent she’d spritzed me with soaked into my senses and a shiver ran up my spine. I spun around and faced her.

She looked amused. “It’s good, right?”

“It’s worth a closer look.”

Yes, there was genius here, but it needed something more…

I made a beeline for the door and entered the inside seating area, weaving my way through the tables.

In the corner, Skye was chatting with the barman who was placing drinks on her tray. She saw me and hurried over.

“My sister will take care of the check,” I reassured her.

Skye’s scent was a cacophony of noisy notes, reminding me of a crazy night out doing shots and other unscrupulous acts of rebellion. Conduct that would end up being recorded on a phone and streamed online, tarnishing an already shaky future.

I gave her a warm smile. “Skye, may I offer you some life-changing advice?”

She looked intrigued.

“Don’t wearPlay With Me.Go with something likeEspíritu de AmororLa Vida es un Angel’s Quest.The House of Beauregard has an exceptional line. ”

She rested her hands on her hips. “Like I can afford that.”

“I left you a generous tip, Skye. May I suggest you use it for the sole purpose of not smelling like a call girl?”

“And you’d know how a call girl smells.”

“Only the high-end ones.” I headed for the door.

“What are you wearing?” she asked.