What a wonderful second day, this is the best wedding celebration yet! As I walk around the restaurant and survey the fruits of our labour, I'm really proud at how the whole event has turned out. Glancing over at the wedded couple, I can't help but notice how happy they look. In my stock standard tight-fitting black dress, I'm itching to get changed and into something more comfortable for my planned drinks with Tristan and Gabe. We deserve to let our hair down after this big project and celebrate a job well-done. The Paris evening is a warm but still pleasant 28 degrees centigrade. As the event comes to a close, I can't help but reminisce how beautiful this evening has been. Everything comes together, even Marcy and her team. The wedding favours looks beautiful, all packaged in the customised tote bags. Tonight's reception is absolutely lavish and beautiful instead of doing formal speeches and dinner, it's casual dancing at the restaurant and all the guests are having a blast in the

"Oh my god," I mutter, running my fingers through my hair. It takes me a moment to realise that I've been holding my breath in for way too long. "What's wrong?" Gabe takes another sip."We have to leave now! Tristan's in some sort of weird hostage situation. I'll explain in the cab."Gabe frowns, looking baffled. "What do you mean hostage situation? He's a big guy, he can take care of himself."I stand up, grabbing my clutch with shaking hands. "I know, but we have to go and see if we can help him out. We don't have much time!"Still looking befuddled, he gets up and follows me out of the bar without a further word.Pushing the door, I look frantically for the nearest cab rank and after briskly walking down the street I hail a cab, we get into the back and I hurriedly take out my phone to find the text message Tristan sent me."Take us toRésidence Jupiter" I whisper, my voice frail. I can't think right now. My thoughts are all muddled at the thought of Tristan in danger. It's rid

BOOK FIVE: TOKYO "Cheers to you," Dr. Edmund raises his glass to me and I grin shyly and clink my glass to his."Please, it's really not necessary." I blush, giggling as I sip on my third glass of white wine. I think I should stop, but Edmund keeps insisting on I get another drink once I finish. "Yes, it is. You're so young and look at what you've achieved, you have a massively successful business. And it is all due to your own merit. That is very impressive, Lacey." He glances at me speculatively through his glasses. "My achievements? You have your own clinic in Sydney, that's pretty hard to beat!" I say. "To be honest, sometimes I think about a sea change. I've been to the UK a few times and there's lots of opportunity there.""Do your wife and kids get used to you always travelling?" He knocks back the rest of his wine, keeping his eyes on me. "I don't have any children, and I don't have a wife."Oh. I'm surprised. He's old enough to be married with kids. Or maybe he's

"Crap, your mom wants to talk to me?" I quickly push my dress down and comb my hair with my fingers. "What about?"Tristan runs his fingers through his hair, his breathing ragged. "I think I have an idea, but I told her I would ask you myself."He's totally lost me. "What were you going to ask me?"Tristan adjusts his jeans and looks at me. "Are you good?"What does he want to ask me? Taking a quick breath, I straighten my knees, which are still shaking from that sizzling show of passion. "Yep, I'm ready.""Don't worry baby, we'll have plenty of time to make up," he whispers, winking at me before walking out. "Mom! What are you doing, this is the back part of the house.""Oh sweetheart, is Lacey around? I wanted to talk to her.""No, I think she's somewhere else""Hey Ms. Keys, are you looking for me?" I stand by the door, smiling at Janet, desperate to assume an 'I-Was-Not-Just-Getting-Hot-And-Heavy-With-Your-Son look'. Janet's lovely green eyes light up at the sight of me.

I've never been to a shrink's office, so I have no expectations other than bare white walls. Sterile, cold, clean."Are you going to tell him how you're feeling and shit?" Gabe teases as we walk up to the door.Giggling, I open the door and hold it for him. "I don't think it will be like that. He'll probably get me to do some exercises, maybe ask some heavy hitting questions. Thank you for coming with me, by the way."He waves a hand dismissively as we walk in. "Pish posh, of course I would come with you, darl. Are you nervous?"Once I step inside, I don't know whether I've stepped into a doctor's office or someone's house. The waiting room is like a lounge room, neatly decorated with subtle finesse. A picture of a beach is sprawled on each wall, each depicting beautiful scenery: rolling waves on idyllic sand, the golden sun, blue skies. Across from me is a large black coffee table with a neat stack of magazines. A small children's toy section is on the far right corner; a televisi