The Paris Connection. Cerella Sechrist

      Julien only shook his head and smiled. “You cannot live in Paris and not eat meat.”

      Cole didn’t argue with the man. Truthfully, he didn’t have anything against meat. It was only that years ago, when he had first been interviewing for a job with Reid Recruiting, he had somehow inadvertently claimed to be a vegetarian. The statement had impressed Lillian Reid, and so he had stuck with the deception all these years. He had never even revealed the lie to his longtime girlfriend, Ophelia, since she was Lillian’s daughter. But occasionally, when he thought he could get away with it, he would find a restaurant where he was sure not to run into anyone he knew and order the thickest, juiciest steak he could find. But meat was the last thing on his mind at the moment.

      “Perhaps I ate too much earlier. Emma was very thorough in making sure I sampled as much of the food as possible at today’s luncheon.”

      “Ah. Or perhaps she took away your appetite, mmm?” The question was rhetorical, of course, but Cole jumped on the opportunity to discuss the woman further.

      “I’m afraid she doesn’t like me very much.”

      Julien waved this statement away with a twirl of his fork. “Non. Emma is only wary of you as she is of most men since her divorce. Not to mention that your job was meant to be hers before the merger went through...and Lillian demanded otherwise.”

      Cole felt a stab of curiosity. “Emma was supposed to have the CEO position?” No wonder she was a little touchy where he was concerned. Lillian hadn’t told him she was slated for his promotion. “Is she still your preferred choice for the job?”

      For the first time since their food had arrived, Julien put down his utensils. “She has proven herself extremely capable as managing director. And she is an excellent recruiter,” he admitted. “I think, however, that you are, as well.”

      Cole reached for his wineglass and sniffed the rich Burgundy appreciatively before taking a sip. “You said she’s divorced. Then she’s single?”

      Julien leaned back and eyed him with speculation, a smile tugging at his lips. “Why do you ask? Do you find her attractive?”

      Cole chafed uncomfortably and looked away. “I’ve only recently moved on from a long-term relationship myself, so I can assure you, Julien, that I have no interest in romance at the moment. I am fully committed to the merger of our two companies. Anything else would merely be a distraction. I trust that Ms. Brooks is likewise committed to her job.”

      “Hmm.” The sound Julien emitted caused Cole to suspect the older man did not believe him. “Emma is very talented. She balances her career along with being a single mother.”

      “She has a child?”

      Julien nodded. “Yes, a daughter, and the father is little involved in their lives, so she takes on all the burdens of being a solo parent. Emma is a very special sort of woman.” Julien’s expression hinted that Cole would do well to take an interest in her.

      But he shook his head, wanting to avoid any extracurricular entanglements. “I’m sure she’s lovely, but I can’t imagine getting past your Emma’s thorns to find any sort of petals beneath. She’s prickly, that one.”

      “Not prickly. Only cautious. She has a good heart, but she keeps defenses in place to guard it.”

      Cole didn’t wish to discuss the pretty but thorny lady’s heart. “Defenses aren’t a problem as long as she recognizes that I’m her boss now.”

      Julien frowned but didn’t argue. He took a long sip from his wine and then reached for his fork once more. “Speaking of bosses...have you spoken to yours? Is Lillian pleased with everything you saw today?”

      “As long as I’m satisfied, then Lillian should be.”

      “And are you?”

      Cole considered this for a moment. The day had gone better than expected, given how his morning had started off. He could offer up no specific complaints, and yet, he found that satisfied wasn’t really a word that applied at the moment. He hadn’t wanted to come to Paris, and though he knew he was there to stay, he still wasn’t happy about it.

      “I think we’re off to a pretty good start,” he said instead.

      Julien frowned at him, seeming to sense his reluctance on the topic. “I have spoken to Emma, if that is the issue, and she was most sorry for her tardiness this morning.”

      Cole felt his lips twitch. “I’m sure she was.”

      Julien blotted his lips with his napkin and then laid it aside. “I am eager for this merger to succeed, Cole. I wouldn’t want to disappoint Lillian. Please, let me know if there is something more I can do to assist in this transition.”

      “Of course.” Cole was too tired by the events of the day to say anything else on the subject, so he raised his glass instead.

      “Here’s to...new beginnings.”

      Julien reached for his wine. “Oui. And to your future in the City of Light.”

      Despite his misgivings on that score, Cole clinked his glass to Julien’s and drank.

      * * *

      THOUGH COLE SETTLED into his position with relative ease, and Emma assisted him as required, the occasional argument still arose during his first week with the Paris branch. There were a multitude of minor wrinkles to be ironed out with the transition and decisions to be made as they overhauled the firm’s operating model. Emma spent most of her mornings providing information for Cole, from company background to files. She also relayed any cultural differences she thought might be pertinent. Inevitably, at some point during their day, they’d find themselves in the thick of a heated discussion.

      Friday was no exception. Cole and Emma were in his office, reviewing some of the company’s long-standing accounts, when Giselle tapped on the door. Looking up, Cole gestured for her to enter.

      Giselle looked at Emma. “Emma, we have an issue with Arrow Tech Media’s CCO position.”

      Emma suppressed a sigh. The negotiations to secure Arrow Tech’s top choice for the chief content officer role had been fierce, but Giselle had assured her everything was all wrapped up, and the candidate was ready to sign the contract.

      “If you’ll excuse us, Cole,” she said to her boss, “we’ll just discuss this in my office.”

      To her annoyance, Cole pushed back from his desk and looked up at where she stood over him.

      “There’s no need for that. I’d love to sit in on your conversation, if you don’t mind. It will give me an even better feel for the day-to-day here.”

      Emma forced a smile to her lips. “I’m sure that’s not necessary. You have so much on your plate already that—”

      “Emma.” He stopped her with his own forceful smile. “Why don’t you take a seat?” He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk and then looked to Giselle. “You, too, Giselle.”

      Giselle caught Emma’s eye as they each settled into a seat.

      “Now, what seems to be the problem?” Cole asked.

      Giselle filled Cole in on Arrow Tech’s search for a new CCO. The candidate they’d chosen, Andre Delacroix, was highly qualified with an exceptional track record. Several attempts had been made by other recruiters to entice him away from his current position, but thus far, none of the offers had been tempting enough. Giselle had been tenacious in her efforts to secure him, and two weeks previously, he had finally agreed to sign with Arrow Tech.

      “And now?” Cole asked when she finished giving him the background story.

      Giselle fidgeted, an action Emma rarely witnessed where her friend was concerned.

      “I just received word that his current company has counteroffered, matching the salary offered by Arrow Tech. Delacroix no longer