156 Resignation

Jackson doesn't know how that’s remotely possible, but he was not one to turn down Madame Laurent’s bread or her advice. So he takes it from her shaking hand and

press an appreciative kiss to her cheek. When she’s not looking, he drops a bill in the can she uses to hold her cash. “Merci, Mademoiselle.” She smiles at the slight improvement in his tone and the smart flirt. “Oh, you are much too young for a woman like me, but perhaps you are exactly what Monica needs.” She winks and shoos him off down the road. Somehow, Jackson does feel better. Or at least like he still have a mission—find Monica. Then what? He doesn't know, but they have to talk this out. If it doesn’t work, he will have to find a way to accept the loss, but he won’t do that without trying. Monica and he deserves to have that, without anyone else’s interference.

At the office, he falls into his chair and take a bite of the baguette as he gauges how long it will take him to pack up. No more than an hour, which is ridic