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“I love it here, too. The internship is wonderful, and I get inspiration all the time. I have sketchbooks filled with ideas.”
“That’s why I love it, too. I was a painter. You know, I painted some of the paintings hanging in the duplex you and Paul shared.”
My mouth dropped open. “Wow. They’re spectacular.”
“Thank you. They’re not at the caliber of the greats, but I got a few shows.”
Dani was being modest. When I looked her up online, she had artwork displayed in many galleries, and she had a long list of accolades in her own right.
“I’m not surprised Paul was drawn to you. Crane men are attracted to us artists. I think it’s because they are born to lead business empires, but they also need that outlet to step back and enjoy the beauty of life.”
“Paul’s an artist,” I pointed out.
“Yes, he’s amazing at it, but he’s also a businessman. Anyway, I hope we can start over by clearing the air.”
I licked my lips. “Okay.”
“I’m not a fan of sexual arrangements, but it wasn’t about you personally. It was because I know Paul to be a loving man, and I wanted him to search for someone to fall in love with and build a life together.”
I glanced out the window. “And I want that for Paul, too, and for myself.”
“But things have changed between you two.” Her tone was light.
I cleared my throat. “Yes, we love each other…I know our start wasn’t ideal, but I have no regrets about my reason for entering into the arrangement. It helped my family, and I’m grateful.” I glimpsed her, and tensed.
She drove around a corner. “I’ve never been in a situation like yours, and I believe I would have done the same to help my parents. I do understand why Paul and Jonas had gone through such extremes to have intimacy and privacy. They get blackmailed and sued all the time. I had thought it would be easier with someone who understood the issues we faced, but love isn’t easy, and he loves you. That’s what’s most important to me and Jonas. I want you to know that I personally accept your relationship.”
I let go of the breath I was holding. Jonas, Paul’s dad, had been accepting from the start, but I wasn’t sure Dani would come around. Paul told me not to worry about her disapproval, but I did because I never wanted to come between them. “Thank you, Dani.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Nadia. Now, let me tell you about the place were going for dinner. It doesn’t have a name, but the chef expects you to eat a lot. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Is it Jacque and Lulu’s?” I asked.
“Yes, it is. Of course Paul took you there,” Dani said cheerily.
“Yeah, he did during our trip together. He played the piano.”
Paul played the piano at the restaurant after we went to Moulin Rouge. He had me so captivated by everything he did.
“They must have been delighted. Jacque’s known Paul since he was a child.” She pulled up into a reserved parking space, and we climbed out and navigated past a few shops until we reached a quiet side street. The restaurant had no sign, but the aroma of food was enough to draw anyone there and make it a lasting memory to share.
We walked in, and Dani and I were greeted with hugs by Lulu.
“Dani and…Nadia.” Lulu remembering my name surprised me. “Jacque will make you something special for your return to Paris. Is Paul here too?”
Dani touched my arm. “Not this time; it’s just the two of us.” Her tone joyous.
“I see.” Lulu grinned, her eyes shifting between us. “Upstairs then.”
Dani nodded in agreement. “One sec.” She went to the back, and Jacque came out of the kitchen and hugged and kissed her. He came over and hugged me too, then he chatted in French to Dani as we went upstairs to seats before a bay window with a view outside. They didn’t provide menus, but would serve Jacque’s choice.
“Here, we can relax and talk.” A hostess took our request for drinks. She ordered lemon water, and I requested a glass of red wine.
She smiled at me. “Now I’m rusty at these Crane speeches. I’d received mine when I was younger than you and pregnant, and it was given by none other than Matthias Crane.”
We both cringed. Matthias was a ruthless, cruel womanizer who was voted most likely to cuddle a baby to take their blanket. Jonas was so kind, and I wondered how hard it was to live with such a vulgar man.
“That must have been horrible.” I gentled my tone.
