“Thank you,” Dominique replied. “So do you. And have you lost more weight? Girl, you know you don’t need to do that.”

“Well,” Mirabelle said, her voice lowering to an almost-whisper, “I’ve been getting quite the workout lately.”

“What’s his name?” Dominique replied without hesitation. She knew that Mirabelle wouldn’t be caught dead in a gym unless it was to pick up her boy toy or for a fashion photo shoot.

Mirabelle’s answer was interrupted when François entered, a look of superiority on his face. The Italian magazine editor was right behind him, her look smug even as her eyes nervously darted around the room. Everyone took the time to speak to each other and make pleasantries before the meeting was called to order.

“As you know,” François began, once it was his turn to speak, “a competitor magazine will be releasing sometime this year, which is why I’ve asked Daniela Amato, the editor in chief of La Prima, Italy’s leading fashion magazine, to join us. I’ll detail why momentarily but secondly, I’m very pleased to hear that a very influential member of French society has a strong interest in becoming part of our family. He has royal ties,” François gushed, his accent becoming even more pronounced as he widened his eyes and placed a hand on his chest. “And he is well-known among the A-listers of the Hollywood community. We are very excited about his potentially joining the magazine’s board as a major investor. I’ve spoken with him personally about many things including changes I believe will help breathe new life into this publication.” He cast a look in Dominique’s direction, and then looked at his watch. “His name is—”

The door to the conference room opened.

“Xavier Marquis,” François dramatically announced, his face beaming as he stood and walked over to greet Xavier. “I was just telling the room about you, sir. Please come in and have a seat.”