Chapter 13: The Failure The Cartier salesman showed them seventeen different pieces before Jordan finally understood what he was doing wrong. He’d been trying to buy her….

Chapter 14: The Ritz Now, standing in the lobby of the Ritz Paris, Jordan watched Martina’s face as she took in the opulence around them. Marble columns…

Chapter 15: The Balcony Jordan took a step closer. Close enough to smell her perfume. Close enough to see the pulse beating at her throat. Close enough…

Chapter 16: The Dress She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “One dress. And I’m paying you back.” “Whatever you say.” She left….

Chapter 17: The Negotiation They took a car to the Eiffel Tower. Navigated through crowds of tourists and lovers. Ascended in a private elevator to Jules Verne….

Chapter 18: The Kiss Martina turned to face him fully. In the golden light from the restaurant behind them, she looked ethereal. Untouchable. Already gone. “I don’t…

Chapter 19: The Confession Martina closed her eyes. Fresh tears streaming down her face. “Why now?” she asked brokenly. “Why couldn’t you have said this five years…

Chapter 20: The Forty-Eight Hours They stood there. Foreheads pressed together. Tears mixing. The Eiffel Tower glittering behind them like a benediction. Paris spread below them, indifferent…

Chapter 21: The Return The plane touched down at JFK at 6:47 on Sunday evening. Reality crashed over them like a wave designed to drown. Paris had…