“Simone.”

“I’m sorry. Simone. There is nothing he can’t offer. I’m not sure I can offer him what he wants.”

“And what does he want?” She continued to assault her with questions.

“He wants me to marry him.”

“And you’ve said yes?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I can’t marry him.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not of his class. What would he do with me?”

“He would love you,” Simone said sweetly and then smiled.

Regan relaxed back in her seat. “You make it sound easy.”

“It is easy. Zachary Benson is not like me. He cares little about power and money. He values people.”

Regan smiled when Simone said that. She was right. That was what he valued.

“I have things in my past I haven’t dealt with.” She heard the words spew from her mouth and then wished she hadn’t. This woman was a stranger. She couldn’t divulge her secrets to her and not to the man she loved.

“Deal with them,” Simone said simply. “Are you who you were at twenty-one?”

“No.”

“Of course not. You’re not who you were six months ago, are you?”

With a sigh, Regan shook her head. “No.”

“Then marry him.” She reached for her hand. “He loves you. He really loves you.” She flipped her head back with a smile. “And he won’t even look my way. Not the way he looks at you, anyway.” Simone’s eyes were soft, and Regan smiled at her new friend and admirer. “I suppose when I return to France, I will tempt fate yet again and find someone with whom I think I can share my life. Someone who will make me forget that Zachary Benson has officially left me behind.”

Regan couldn’t say anything. She was still amazed that the woman beside her was so candid about loving Zach, and that he was in love with her and only her.

The Frenchwoman let go of Regan’s hand and examined her own perfect manicure. “My problem is I have an affinity for American men. Tell me, Regan.” She turned her head back to her, puckering her red lips and tapping her finger to them. “Do you know of a handsome successful man?”

Regan laughed. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Well, do tell.”

“Six foot two, sandy blond hair, crystal-blue eyes, and of course he’s a doctor.”

“A doctor?” Simone’s eyes grew wide.

“Yes, a very popular one at that.”

She watched as Simone’s eyebrows rose. “How is it that you know this handsome doctor?”

“He’s my brother.”

“Ah, mon ami! I may have to stick around a bit longer and meet this brother-doctor of yours.”

Audrey opened the door of the house the moment Simone’s car arrived. The driver opened the car doors, Simone climbed out, and the two women waved teach other. Then Regan stepped out of the car, and Audrey waved just as enthusiastically as she had when she’d seen Simone.

“Oh, Regan.” She smiled as they neared the walk. “Simone said she was bringing a friend for the day. I’m so pleased it’s you.”

“Thank you.” She watched as Audrey embraced Simone and kissed both her cheeks. Then she hugged Regan and kissed her just the same. But before she let go of her arms, she gave them a little squeeze and smiled.

“We’re having brunch in the rose garden. Simone, do you remember Josepha?”

“Oui!” Simone placed her hand on her chest. “Tell me she is here cooking for us.”

“Oui!” Audrey answered with a smile.

Simone touched Regan’s arm. “Oh, you are in for a treat. Madame Josepha was the cook for Madame Audrey when I first visited America with Zachary. We were very young.”

Regan watched Simone hurry off toward the kitchen to find Josepha. She was sure to get a candid look into the world that Zach had grown up in by spending the day with the two women who doted on him, and Josepha too.

Audrey turned to Regan in the hallway and placed her hands on her arms. “You’re doing okay? You look like you’ve healed well.”

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“I wake up every morning thinking he’s going to come in and kiss me good morning. I’m still waiting.” She smiled, but her eyes were sad.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s the cycle of life. I won’t be without him forever.”

The comment struck Regan hard. To love like that—what an amazing gift.

Audrey looked toward the kitchen and back at Regan. “Are you okay with Simone? She’s always loved Zach, but he’s never thought more of her than…well, than a sister.” Her voice had dropped to a whisper.

Regan nodded. “I didn’t react so well when I first saw her.”

“If you made it this far, you’re the first woman she hasn’t run off.” Audrey laughed quietly. “I think you’re in for the long haul.

Audrey watched as Simone filled the conversation with stories of a young Zachary from school. She always had a story, and Audrey was sure she’d never heard the same one twice.

Poor Simone had pined for her son for years, but Zachary kept her yearning. Her husband had often laughed at his son’s stubbornness.

“I don’t think he’s human,” he’d say to her. “No man would look away from her like he does.”

Zachary had brought home many women over the years, and Audrey had introduced him to many more. But never had he looked at any of them the way he looked at Regan. This would be the woman she’d call daughter, someday. There was no doubt in her mind.

A smile formed on her lips when she thought she would share her grandchildren with the family who had taken her in and cared for her when her husband had died.

Simone sipped her mimosa. “What are you thinking of, Madame?”

“How happy I am that you are both here.” She lifted her drink, and each woman tapped her glass. “To the women who love Zachary.”

“And to the one who won his heart,” Simone added as they both looked at Regan.

After brunch at Audrey’s, the women, tipsy on mimosas, fell into the car laughing as the driver took them to the spa, where Simone had arranged an entire day of pampering.