She pressed a hand to her throat. “And you remained all these years because of Jerome.”
“Yes. After he died, I vowed to leave the family business altogether, but I had to make sure I could support myself when the time came. Jerome had talked to me about his many business ideas and what he’d do if he were only forty years younger. His ideas became mine and I began to see light at the end of the tunnel. But by then my life had turned upside down.”
“Because of the phone call from Sabine,” she murmured.
Raoul suddenly stood up. “That’s all in the past. Last night I told my father I was building a new life and memories. If he wants to be a part of Alain’s life, he’s welcome at the villa.”
Cami stared at the wonderful man who could still find forgiveness inside his soul. She adored Raoul. “What did your father say?”
“It stunned him when I told him I’d resigned. There was nothing more to say and I left the office.”
“I take it he didn’t run after you.”
“That’ll be the day.”
Cami might have lost her father early, but she’d always known she was loved to death. She hurt for Raoul who would never know that feeling. His father didn’t deserve him. “I’m glad you’ve told me what happened. It’s better to be forewarned.”
She didn’t know what the future would hold, but at least she knew he’d be happy at home with his son and running his new business. No one could have fought harder through his agony for what he wanted. If his father did anything to bring him more pain, she couldn’t bear it.
For once in her life, she couldn’t follow her mother’s advice. There was no way she could tell him about her heart condition now. He was building a new life and didn’t need anything else to worry about. As she’d once told her mother, his life was full of heartbreaks. The last thing she’d want to do was add to them.
* * *
Raoul glanced at the woman he loved. It always helped when he talked to her. Cami looked beautiful in a soft peach-toned sweater and jeans. Today she’d worn her hair back with a clip. It made him want to undo it and run his fingers through its glossy blackness again. But he’d do it later after they’d talked.
Raoul walked over to the open kitchen area and made coffee before putting it on the table. “I hope you’re hungry because I am. Shall we eat?”
“That sounds good.”
After pouring the steaming brew into mugs, he put out the cartons of Chinese food. They started eating before he handed her a fortune cookie, which she opened.
“A big event is going to change your life,” she read aloud. “What does yours say?”
He smiled at her before opening his. “First comes the rain before you can expect sunshine. I don’t know if I like the sound of that.”
“I agree neither fortune is very reassuring.”
“Let’s forget them. I want to talk about a week from Saturday.”
Her gaze flew to his. “What’s so important about it?”
/> His black eyes impaled her. “Dominic and Nathalie have invited us to a party. They want us to spend an evening with them.”
She bit her lip. “That’s sounds lovely, but by then I’ll be on vacation with my mother.”
He stopped chewing. “I realize that, but you won’t be away from Vence, will you?”
“No, but I’ll be busy.”
“The whole time?”
“Yes.”
Raoul put down his fork and reached for her hand. “What’s going on with you, Cami? Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I’ve been around you long enough to know something is wrong. Why are you putting me off when you know I’m dying to be with you day and night?
“The only reason I haven’t tried to make love to you is because you’ve been in my employ. But that’s over and now that you’re going to be on vacation, there’s no reason why we can’t be together all the time. I know in my heart you wouldn’t be with me if you didn’t feel the same way I do. Surely you realize by now that I want to marry you.”
She eased her hand away, refusing to look at him. “You couldn’t possibly mean that.”