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After a shopping spree preparing Brittney for a proper married life Laurel came home to get ready for her date with Josh. She'd decided to be honest with him and tell him she wasn't feeling the same attraction he was. She was just finishing her makeup when she heard the knock at the door. When she came down the stairs she was shocked to see not Josh, but Urs standing in the entry.
"Urs...has something happened to Josh?" Laurel was worried.
"He was called to London on urgent business and had to leave just minutes ago. He had tickets to the theatre tonight and asked me to escort you instead of letting them go to waste."
"Ah, well you needn't trouble yourself for my sake Mr. Buhler. I wouldn't mind a night in."
Urs paused, "I would...like it if you would come with me, Laurel."
Laurel looked back up the stairs and thought about Brittney who was currently deciding which of her new purchases to show Sebastien first. She didn't want to impose on their evening plans for marital pleasure.
"Fine. Let me grab my coat."
They went to the theatre and saw a Yazmina Reza play in the original French. Thankfully Laurel had seen the English adaption so she could keep up with what was happening. Sitting next to Urs was highly unsettling. The anger she felt towards him was burning inside her yet it was also mixed with the intense attraction she still felt for him. The way his hair curled just behind his ears, the tight hug of his custom suit across his broad chest, and the incredibly sharp jaw bones that would probably cut her if she tried to slap him.
The play was over too quickly and Laurel didn't want to return home too quickly and overhear anything at the house so when Urs offered to take her out for dessert she accepted. She tried to say as few words as possible. Urs offered little conversation as well, remaining silent after vaguely asking about her mother and sisters.
"Will Josh be back soon?" She asked.
"I'm afraid not. His business will probably have him in England through the rest of your stay in France."
"I'm sorry to hear it."
"Are you extremely fond of him?"
Laurel looked into Urs' eyes for the first time that night. She knew from her encounters with him that he was a man who could read her when she was lying so she decided to not try.
"I wish I felt more for him than I do," she admitted. "He's a wonderful man, I wish things were different."
"Yes, that is unfortunate," Urs replied looking at his plate and not at Laurel.
They finished their dessert silently and made for home. When they pulled up to the beautiful brick house Urs walked Laurel to the door against her protestations.
"Thank you for joining me tonight, Laurel."
"You're welcome." Laurel looked at her feet.
"Would you like to accompany me tomorrow night to a gala at the Lourve? They're opening a new exhibit."
Laurel was surprised that he would want to spend any more time with her than necessary. She wanted to reply with an outright no but she remembered her friend who was bonding with her husband and the temptation of a private and certainly lavish gala at the most famous museum in the world was overwhelming.
"All right," she finally said.
"I will pick you up at eight," Urs said and turned and walked away without even saying good night.
Laurel watched him go and went to bed still shocked.
Laurel was excited to buy another fancy dress for the gala at the Lourve. She and Brittney found the perfect dress at a fashion house downtown. Laurel hated how much she paid, but she looked like a million bucks in the dress and couldn't pass it up. The dress was dusty pink bias cut that hugged her hips but flowed down to a short train at the back. The neck scooped down in front and the straps met in the back forming a T down the center. Laurel curled her hair and left it down around her shoulders. She went without a necklace but put in silver dangling earrings. She wrapped her white cashmere scarf around her shoulders because it was just the end of March and the winds sometimes picked up at night.
When she came around the corner and to the top of the stairs she saw that Urs was already waiting for her. He was decked out in tails for the occasion. His fair was gelled perfectly. Laurel squashed down the feelings of desire that still leapt up with she saw him. She hated him more than she could ever think him handsome.
"Laurel, you look beautiful tonight," Urs said offering her his arm.
"Thank you, Urs." She took his arm lightly, making sure to not seem too eager about the evening. Laurel saw Urs had rented a black Bentley for the evening and was driving it himself. Laurel had never been in such an expensive and fancy car and she mentally added it to the list of new exciting things she had done in France. It was the second to last night of her stay.
They didn't say anything on the way to the Lourve and didn't have much of a chance once there either. They were ushered to the new exhibit: The Springtime of the Renaissance -- Sculpture and the Arts in Florence, 1400-1460. The pieces were beautiful and immaculately curated. The guests had about an hour of milling around the exhibit and socializing. Laurel recognized some prominent French officials and even some celebrities, but she kept to herself only really speaking when Urs introduced her to someone.
At around nine o'clock every found their tables for the dinner and the opening ceremony. Laurel thought the food tasted wonderful even if she couldn't pronounce a word of it. The ceremony was in French and she tried to keep up but was often confused. One thing she did understand was that the number one contributor to the exhibit was the Buhler Family. Urs was announced and stood and waved slightly to the applause of the room.
After the ceremony, the socializing began again. Urs introduced Laurel to an older couple who only spoke French. Laurel apologized as best she could for not being able to understand them then stood next to Urs while he talked. She could tell they were talking about her, but not what they were saying.
"Urs, Ta copine est tres belle," said the striking women with white hair.
"Merci Madame, elle est belle," said Urs and as he did, she felt his arm come around her waist. His hand stayed on the small of her back. His index finger touching the bare skin above the cut of the dress she was wearing. She felt herself tense up and swallowed hard. But Urs kept his hand there, still talking to the couple with him.
After what seemed like ages the couple said Au revoir and walked away. Laurel stepped away from Urs and with a scathing look said "Excuse me, I need some fresh air." She escaped out the door and walked through the cool air wishing she'd stopped for her cashmere at the coat-check. She walked into the shadow of the giant glass pyramid that stood in the courtyard of the Lourve. No matter what the French thought, Laurel liked the pyramid, it was a modern work of art among the ancient treasures inside the museum.
She shivered as she looked up at the lights around the monument.
"Laurel!" she heard Urs running toward her. He came up and placed his tux jacket around her shoulders. It was warm from having been on him and she was thankful for it.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm fine," she lied, "Just needed air."
She felt his arm snake around her waist again.
"Urs, what are you doing?"
"Warming you," he responded taking another step closer to her. Their bodies were practically touching.
