Page 21 of The Prince Who Loved Me

It had always been a fleeting thought, but now withGrandma’s money, she had the means to do it. She’d never had anything of her own before. Had never lived alone. Was always taken care of. Even now, she lived at Fountenoy Hall, helping out when necessary but doing very little there to earn her keep. Everything she had was poured into Belle’s.

Legally it was a child company of Fountenoy Hall. Circumstances had made it that way. Tradition had kept it that way. But nothing said it had to stay that way.

Was this a crazy idea? She didn’t even know where to start.

A car sounded out front, but it didn’t give her the same feeling of panic that she got before Wendy had learned that the Prohibition-era whiskey made by their family was still in production. Then every vehicle had been cause for concern.

Sebastien’s ultra-sleek sportscar pulled into the lot, and he took a picnic basket out of the passenger seat.

“Hey, there.” Seeing him usually made her smile, but she had to force one out after last night. Crumbs. Maybe she was thinking about his lips so much today because she wanted to kiss him. “What are you doing here?”

“Taking a break from talking to my family. I sponsor a charity in Casanges that’s having an event soon. My father is trying to manipulate me into coming home to run it, refusing to join the modern age of video conferencing. Besides, it’s lunch time.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek as he put the basket on the picnic table.

Her breath caught and she forced herself to exhale normally. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m expecting a water delivery soon, though, so lunch might be cut short.” She could talk about her idea for Belle’s, and this time she’d keep to her convictions instead of getting scared. Sebastien had always been part of her safe space.

She hefted the basket and brought it to the mainbuilding where she had her office, Sebastien following behind. She scooted some papers off the table and placed them on her desk, careful to not knock over her picture of her and her grandmother, rows of oak barrels making up the background.

Once the basket was settled on the table, she opened the lid. A stack of sandwiches was wedged in next to containers filled with potato salad and fruit. She removed two sandwiches, then handed him one. “I know this isn’t all for me.”

“I may have mentioned to Eulalee that I was a bit peckish.” He unwrapped his lunch and devoured half of it with one bite.

“You’re not kidding.” She took a generous bite herself and gave a small sigh of approval. Turkey, avocado, cheese and apple. Her favorite. Even the bread was toasted. “You’re my best friend in the whole world, you know that?” Crumbs, she hoped he knew that.

“I know,mon ange.” He smiled, avocado smeared on his lip. “You’re not too shabby yourself.”

Her muscles relaxed as she took another bite, the apple crunching in her mouth. “I can use the money Grandma left me to take charge of Belle’s.” Brandi bit her lip with her upper teeth. Now that it was out in the open, there was no going back.

“Don’t you do that already?” He rooted in the picnic basket and pulled out the homemade potato salad.

“I mean, as its own business. Out from under the Fountenoy Hall umbrella. Grandma and Eulalee both had faith in me running it, so why not take that to the next level?” She put the rest of her sandwich down, suddenly too nervous to eat. “I don’t quite understand the legalese of how it’s set up, but Belle’s is a child company of Fountenoy Hall. I want to separate it. Wendy can have the Inn. I want Belle’s.”

Sebastien tapped his manicured fingernails against the potato salad container. “I love your enthusiasm.”

That wasn’t the ringing endorsement she wanted to hear. After his support of her wine idea last night, she expected his approval. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated, then put down the side dish. “You seemed overwhelmed yesterday at the thought of running a new venture.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “That was yesterday.”

“Have you talked to Jordan about this?” Their wildly-successful friend owned a company that helped people run their own businesses. Jordan was going to be the first call Brandi had made.

After sharing her thoughts with Sebastien.

Heaviness clogged her chest. Her biggest cheerleader was doubting her. “You don’t think I can do it.”

“That’s not true. I’ve just been through this before when sponsoring foundations or supporting local businesses in Casagnes. It’s important to do your research and work with what you learn, not with intuition.”

“Of course.” She left out the I’m not stupid part. Granted, Old Brandi might have gone in without a plan, New Brandi was more careful. “This was just an idea I had. Doesn’t mean I have to do it.”

If she knew Jordan, the woman would have a ten-point check list followed by a two-year model followed by a five-year plan within twenty minutes of getting Brandi’s call. But now Brandi was doubting her own ability to do it at all.

“You should do it.” Sebastien put his hand on hers and gave it a squeeze. “I mean it. I see the fire in you, Brandi. That’s half the battle.”

Maybe. And maybe he was forcing his enthusiasm. “I’ll keep thinking about it.”

The low rumbling of a truck sounded in the office, and Brandi stood up. “That’s my water delivery.”

“Want me to come with you?”