Theo had a mountain of work to do before Mike arrived. She was taking two days off to be with him, which was even harder because they were opening the two pop-up stores the following week, and she had all the final details to approve. She visited the space on the Avenue Montaigne regularly, and it was looking fabulous. They were turning it into a winter wonderland, all done in sparkling white, with ice sculptures and a bar made of ice for the opening party. She was tempted to go this time, but she didn’t want to deal with the press, and have all eyes on her. She was feeling more gregarious since Mike had come into her life, and she was beginning to miss having a social life after fifteen months of solitude. If he had been in town, she would have gone with him, but he was going to be back in New York by then, and she didn’t want to face the press alone. She didn’t know what the press would have made of him. He was a mystery man to the Paris press. She liked it better that way than if she had appeared with some well-known bachelor on the Paris scene. Mike suited her better, he had been in her life for two months by then, and he made her happy.

—

She had oysters and champagne and caviar waiting for him when he arrived the night before Thanksgiving. She’d ordered a full turkey dinner from the Ritz for them at home on Thanksgiving Day. She was thrilled to see him. He looked tired, as though work had been stressful since she’d seen him last. He never complained when they talked. It wasn’t in his nature, he was always upbeat and wanted to know what she was doing.

“Was your sister upset that you came here for Thanksgiving?” she asked him as he undressed for bed. He looked dead tired after the trip.

“No, she hates holidays and never celebrates them. I always spend it with friends. I want you to meet her when you come to New York. She’s eccentric as hell, but she’s a good soul.” He smiled as he said it, thinking about her. Theo knew only that her name was Fiona and she was an artist.

“She never married?”

He shook his head. “I guess my parents didn’t inspire much faith in the institution.” He grinned sheepishly. “It’s never been a priority for me either, especially with my job.” She nodded and smiled. She had no desire to remarry either. What she had with Mike was enough for now, although she wished they could see each other more often.