The Cherry Blossoms by Denise Irwin Page A

answer the phones.”
    He chuckled and told her, “My love, we are on vacation.  Grant will call if there is a problem.  Have a glass of wine before we take off, so that you can gear your head to vacation mode.”
     
    By the time the plane landed in Cannes, Daniella had transformed from a workaholic to a vacationer.  She giggled as she entered the limousine that would deliver them to the most beautiful hotel she’d ever seen.
    “Daniella let us go to the patio for a drink, while the porters take our luggage to the room.”
    “Michal, I had four glasses of wine on the flight.  I’m not so sure I should have another drink.”
    “ Ah, mon doux, vous êtes en vacances, donc tu n'auras beaucoup un vin que vous choisissez.”
    She giggled at his statement that she could have as much wine as she chose. “In that case, you may need to carry me to our room.”
    Michal laughed, “I will have one of the porters deliver you to our room on one of the suitcase carriers.”
    Giggling , she told him, “Je sais que vous le feriez.”
    “Yes, I would.”
     
    The patio was full of Parisians, laughing, eating and having themselves a grand time.  Michal knew most of them, so after getting her a glass of wine he walked her from table to table introducing her.  Daniella saw several designers on the patio and at one point wanted to turn tail and leave, but she put on a smile and greeted them.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Samanta Laroque approaching them.
    “Mademoiselle Daniella, je suis heureux de vous voir ici.”  
    I bet you’re pleased as punch to see me here with Michal.   “Le plaisir est tous le mien, Mademoiselle.”
    “Daniella, I was so sorry that your first show did not go well.”
    She was not about to be undone by another designer. “Thank you for sharing your sorrow with me.”  Daniella shrugged her shoulders, “I tried something different and it didn’t work, so there is no need for you to pity me.”
    “I do not pity you.  Michal has shared with me that you are a very talented designer.  There are many designers who would not have the, let me think how you Americans say it; yes there are many designers who would not have the balls to do what you did.”
    “If you believe what you just said, why did you not applaud my collection?”
    “Mademoiselle, I did not have the balls to.”
    Daniella was dumbstruck when she heard that.
    “Daniella, I just wanted to say hello and offer my services if you hire another designer.”
    “Aren’t you a designer with the House of Victoria?”
    “Yes Mademoiselle, I am.  Since you were there, you know they did not qualify to participate in the Spring Show.”
    Daniella’s head was spinning.  The woman who had bedded Michal was asking her for a job.
    “I’m not sure if my House will remain in business after the reviews, but if it does, I’ll keep you in mind.”
    “Merci, Mademoiselle, je comprends que.”
     
    By day three of her holiday, she was in full vacation swing.  She and Michal spent their days in the sun lounging by the pool, taking walks to the sandy beaches, and afternoon naps.  They’d join Michal’s friends on the patio for cocktails each afternoon, after which Michal chose a different restaurant each night.  They would finish the day in the hotel’s casino.  Michal had given her $1,000 to play with.  By the third night, she held $4,000 in her purse.  Michal had lost his money, so she giggled, when she handed him half of her winnings.
    When they returned to their room each night, they made love into the wee hours of the morning.
    “Mon amour, vous êtes la femme sexiste que j'ai jamais rencontré.”
    “Surely you jest.  There are many beautiful and sexy women here in Cannes.”
    “You are right, but I only have eyes for you.  There are no French women with Irish freckles across the nose and cheeks giving them the fresh wholesome look that you have.”
    Daniella giggled, “I tried to cover them with makeup.”
    “Promise