Page 119 of Je T'aime, Actually

“Go on, you two—upstairs and changed,” Frank said, trying his best not to wince when Kitty leant in and kissed his cheek.

“Okay.” Kitty sagged, as though changing out of her school uniform was the hardest task ever set.

Monroe and Chloé exchanged amused smiles.

“Promise us you won’t leave before we come down again!” Kitty called from the stairs.

“Cross our hearts,” Monroe promised with a grin.

“And pinkie swear,” Chloé added, playfully holding out her little finger and sticking it through the banister spindles.

Their pinkies linked in a quiet vow.

“Okay, be right back and then—” Kitty was cut off by Poppy’s voice from further inside.

“If you don’t get on with it, it’ll be your bedtime!”

Kitty’s eyes widened. “I’m out of here!” she yelped, racing up the stairs.

“That kid is going to be the reason I go grey early.” Poppy laughed as she stepped forward and greeted Chloé properly with a kiss to each cheek. “It’s so good to see you.” Turning to Monroe, she added, “You didn’t tell us Chloé was coming back.”

“I didn’t know,” Monroe said.

“It’s true,” Chloé added with a grin. “I turned up unannounced and just climbed into bed.”

“And scared the hell out of me,” Monroe said, giving her a playful shove. “It was worth it, though.”

one hundred one

“So,” Monroe said, pouring a glass of wine for them both as she watched Chloé settle onto the couch. “Are you going to tell me why youreallyhopped on a plane so early this morning?”

Chloé smiled up at her, eyes dancing. “You think I had an ulterior motive?”

“Maybe,” Monroe replied, crossing the room and handing her the glass before sinking into the seat beside her. Close. Intimate. Warm. Wanted.

Chloé sighed softly, set her wine down on the side table, and reached for Monroe’s hand. Her fingers curled around it, sure and steady.

“Last night, when you fell asleep,” Chloé began, “I didn’t hang up.”

“Oh…betthatwas entertaining.” Monroe chuckled, voice gentle.

“More than you’ll ever know,” Chloé murmured, biting her lip as she held Monroe’s gaze. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Chloé nodded, her voice soft but certain. “I know. And that’s what hit me. I don’t want to be watching you fall asleep through a screen. I don’t want us slipping into frustration and silence because life pulls us in different directions. Or missing our first Christmas, New Year… Easter. And if it ever came down to choosing…” Her thumb brushed gently over Monroe’s. “I’d choose us. Every time.”

“That’s—”

Chloé held up a hand. “I’m not finished. Please.” She drew in a breath. “I’ve been working hard—tying up loose ends, training Cécile to manage things. I want to be here. With you.”

Monroe’s brow lifted. “Move to England?”

“If that’s what it takes, yes.” Chloé’s voice didn’t waver. “I can work remotely, like you did. I’ll fly back when I need to for meetings, but I’ll come home tous.”

“I…” Monroe smiled slowly, setting her glass down blindly on the coaster. “You’d really do that?”

“You did it for me,” Chloé said simply. “I missed you. I don’t want to keep missing you.”