Page 54 of Catching Trouble

I swallowed. Hard.

“It might not always seem that way, but she’s desperate for your approval.”

A look ran over Chloe’s face, like she was reading my mind. Could she sense the knot in my stomach?

I tilted my head. “She told you that?”

“No, not exactly. I don’t know if you realise, but you’re a lot alike.”

“How?”

She smiled, the little dimple on her chin shallowing. “She’s not very chatty. She puts on an ‘I couldn't care less’ front, but there’s a lot going on under her skin.”

I pulled up short.

Chloe reached out, wrapping her fingers around my arm. “Look, I’m just saying I can see it. She watches you—adapts to your mood. You probably aren’t even aware.”

My gut wrenched. “I hardly know her.”

She gripped harder on my arm. “So, change that. Use this time to reconnect.”

Her eyes bounced around my face and my pulse throbbed under her fingers. The skin of my palms ached to touch her, but the roar of a car passing around the bend behind us pulled my attention.

She let go of my arm and we both stepped away.

“We should get back. I thought I might ask Sophie to dinner before Fifi puts me to work.”

Chloe grinned and, although it was already searing us, I swear the sun burned brighter.

“Need help with the after-dinner coffee run?” she asked. “I think your long-suffering manager is about ready to quit if she has to do it one more time.”

At the suggestion, my heart skipped. “Earlier you said you don’t get much time off.”

She chuckled. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do with myself. Look at today. I spent my supposed time off with my boss.” She paused, pulling her hair into a bundle at the side of her head. “Besides, I like the club. It’s got a lot going for it.”

My mind flew to the empty tables that haunted my bank balance. “I wish it wasn’t so quiet.”

“Méduse?”

I nodded. “It’s been open a year, and it’s barely breaking even.”

She lifted one of her eyebrows, and my belly shifted. Merde, I’d already hinted at my distance from my parents, my disastrous relationship with Valerie, and now the troubles with my club. What was it about this woman that made me bare my soul?

Chloe let go of her hair bundle and rested her hands on her hips. “It’s tricky to know what to do. I think you need to find a niche.”

“A niche?”

She grinned. “Exactly.” She looked at me as ifI’dcome up with the idea.

“Something that sets you apart from every other cool beach bar along the coast. And believe me, I’ve worked in enough cafes to know—it doesn’t take much, but it has to stick.”

“Stick?”

“Yeah, you know, like a novelty. Something that gives the place energy. Gives customers a reason to pick Méduse over the competition.”

I pulled my brows together. “It’s not enough that we’re on one of the most beautiful beaches in France? Isource all our food locally. I have access to the most beautiful wines. You’re telling me I need to offer a novelty,too? Should I have the staff wear the lederhosen you seem so keen on?”

Her lips trembled at the corners. As she looked me up and down, I could only imagine what she was thinking.