Crêpe Murder: Book 4 (A Patisserie Mystery with Recipes) Read Online Free Page B

was about to stand to throw away her empty container, a man walked up to her.  

    “Clémence?”  

    She was in shock as she looked into the dark eyes of Carlos.  

    “Carlos? What are you doing here?”  

    “I thought it was you.” He greeted her, kissing her on the cheeks. “May I?” He gestured the empty spot on the bench next to her.  

    Clémence didn’t know where to begin. She had so many questions. Luckily Carlos started talking without any prompting.

    “I saw you yesterday at the restaurant, and I didn’t know if it was you, so I asked the waitress. They said you owned the Damour chain. Why didn’t you tell me you owned the patisserie that makes my favorite macarons?”  

    “Well, my parents really own the place. I saw you yesterday too, and I didn’t know whether I should’ve said hello, since you were with a date and we hadn’t been in touch for so long. Plus, I didn’t know what had happened to you when you left a couple of years ago.”  

    “About that—I’m glad I ran into you because I want to apologize. I really had a lot of fun with you girls and I would’ve loved to stay, but there was a family emergency and I had to go. My mother had fallen ill. She’s okay now, but she had a brain tumor that had to be removed, so I flew back to Spain the next morning as soon as she called me. I left a message with the concierge to tell you that I left but it sounds like they didn’t give it to you. I was going to send you a text message, but someone stole my phone when I got to the airport, so I didn’t even have contacts for any of you girls. I’m so sorry.”  

    “Oh.” Clémence took a moment to take it all in. “I’m sorry about your mother. We were wondering what had happened. I take it everything’s okay with your mother now?”  

    “Yes, she’s fine. Made a full recovery.”

    “That night, you kissed Emily, right? And then me. On the same night.”  

    She didn’t mean to sound accusatory, so she pressed a smile. She just wanted to find out what he had been thinking.

    “I was a little drunk that night,” said Carlos. “You are all beautiful girls, and I went a little overboard. I’m sorry. But I’ve matured since then. Now I’m in love.”  

    “With the girl you were with yesterday? Sophie?”  

    “Yes.” He beamed. “Do you know her?”  

    “Not directly. But I know of her. Does that mean you’re staying in Paris now?”  

    “Yes. I’m living with her. She has really changed me. Oh, by the way, Carlos is my middle name. I go by Juan. Juan Carlos Camondo.”  

    “Oh. Okay. I should start calling you Juan then?”  

    “Yes, because Juan is my real first name. I wanted to change it to Carlos, but I realize that it didn’t suit me.”  

    “Okay, Juan.”  

    “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”  

    “I am.” She nodded. “His name is Arthur.”  

    “Maybe we can all go to dinner sometimes,” said Juan.

    “Really?”  

    “Sure. I’m new in the city, and I’m in need of friends. Can I take your number? I’ll ask Sophie to see what she says.”  

    “Okay.” Clémence also took his number. She seized the opportunity to ask him one last thing. “Hey, you know, it’s funny. My friends were under the impression that you’re Spanish royalty or something. Are you?”  

    Juan laughed. “I’m not a prince, no. But I do come from a noble family We’re just a normal family really. My parents and extended family own various businesses and I’m working at my uncle’s wine company, Rojas . Have you heard of it?”

    “No, is it sold here?”  

    “Yes, wherever you can find wine.”  

    “I’ll look for it next time. I’m glad the mystery’s solved.”  

    “I hope your friends won’t be too disappointed,” Juan said with a smile. “What about you? Why didn’t I know that your last name was Damour?”  

    “I was also traveling incognito,” said Clémence. “It was easier to be an artist, and just