“Ms. Morgan,” he said with a warm smile, as she left the restroom free for him, and he seemed to accidentally block her path back to her seat. “I’m Pierre de Vaumont. I met you with your husband a few years ago.” She had no recollection of it, which was unusual for her. She had a fail-safe memory, which Matthieu had always commented on. It was a little duller now after the trauma she’d been through, but it was starting to improve again. His face didn’t look familiar, and he seemed a little too friendly to her. “It’s lovely to see you. I’m addicted to your shopping site,” he said, smiling even more broadly. She was about to cut the conversation short when she had a thought. Pierre de Vaumont was seen everywhere, at all important social and fashion events. She didn’t recognize his face, but she knew his name. He was in the press all the time, and his attendance was an instant statement that the event was a success. It wouldn’t do her any harm to have him attend the opening party of the pop-up store in New York. She thought of it instantly while he spoke.

“I’m actually on the way to New York to open a pop-up store. We’re having a party the night it opens.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a spare invitation she had with her and handed it to him. “It’s a special event, and we have some very exclusive pieces we’re bringing in. I hope you’ll come and enjoy it,” she said with a shy smile. He noticed how vulnerable she looked, and even he was touched as he took the envelope from her.

“I’d love to come, if you’ll be there,” he said, appearing to flirt with her, which surprised her. When she first saw him, she had assumed he was gay, but he wasn’t acting like it with her.