Opposites Attack: A Novel with Recipes Provencal by Maeder Jo

Author:Maeder, Jo [Maeder, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780985548230
Publisher: Vivant Press
Published: 2014-03-20T07:00:00+00:00

Marlaison

The Mansfield Mafia rendezvoused in the Hôtel Marlaison lobby one last time. They’d all had quite enough of acting like they adored each other. After lackluster air kiss-kiss-kisses were exchanged they went in search of a local café for their farewell breakfast. Glorianna refused to eat at the hotel due to their “ridiculous price gouging.” She was carrying a pink parasol that matched her suit, sandals, and toenails.

Luther did not bother to hide his foul mood. He’d fallen head over heels for a young man who worked at a pâtisserie. Not only was he spurned, he’d gained more weight inhaling delicious cakes and pastries as an excuse to see him.

They agreed on a café and sat outside. Alyce’s inner thighs were so sore from lovemaking she had to sit down gently.

“Are you wearing sunscreen all the time, darling?” Glorianna asked as she perused the menu. “It’s so important to preserve your youth.”

“I thought a shot of Botox was all you needed these days.”

She leaned into Alyce. “Don’t ever go to one of those Botox parties. Only see a real doctor in a real office.”

Alyce stroked Nelson’s leg with her foot under the table. “I’d never put anything like that in my body, especially if I’m thinking about having children.”

Speaking to everyone at the table, Glorianna said, “Oh, fiddle. They tell you not to take an aspirin when you’re pregnant these days. When I was carrying Nelson, I’d get together with the other expectant mothers at the country club and we’d have a contest to see who could balance a martini on her stomach the longest.”

Luther lightened up after that anecdote. When he looked over the menu, though, his glowering returned. “How do they stay so thin here?”

Alyce contributed, “My theory is they walk or bike a lot, only eat quality food when they’re hungry, and consume just enough to fill themselves—which is about three bites.”

Even more cranky, he said, “Give me one of those yummy mushroom crêpes. And what’s taking so damn long for our mimosas?”

Despite the champagne in their drinks, breakfast was strained.

After their final au revoirs (and making sure Glorianna was out of sight), Nelson and Alyce ran to his convertible.

Revving the engine, he said, “Sweetie, let’s throw a few things in an overnight bag and drive to Paris this instant.”

She thrust her arms into the open air above her. “Wheeeee!”

“No,” he corrected her, “Oui!”

His cell rang. Carmelita caught Junior smoking cigarettes in his bedroom.

“What! Of course he’s acting out. He’s just going to have to accept the situation. Take him to a new therapist… I’m having a great time, finally. Mother just left… Yes… Yes, of course. Bye.”

He said to Alyce, “I didn’t expect this kind of trouble from him until his teens.”

Alyce was thinking the same thing. Junior was barely 10.

“Children have a hard time with change,” he said. “His mother isn’t taking it well, either. But I can’t stay in this holding pattern forever.”

Alyce had that hinky feeling again. Ah, screw it. They were heading to Paris.

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