Page 15 of Je T'aime, Actually

Chloé:Safe on the train?

Monroe smiled, tapping out a quick reply.

Monroe:All good. Thank you for tonight. You really know how to show someone a good time.

Chloé:Well, I’m glad you think so. I was a little nervous too, you know?

Monroe:Really? You seemed pretty confident to me.

Chloé:I don’t think it was about confidence, for either of us. Maybe…something new we never considered? But honestly, there was a moment when I almost kissed you.

Monroe blinked, cheeks warming as she read the message. Twice.

Monroe:Really?

Chloé:Yes. But I thought you weren’t ready. So I held back.

Monroe typed back quickly.

Monroe:Thank you for being so considerate.

Because she wasn’t ready for that, even though she probably would have liked it. Chloé was… She searched for the right word and could only come up with:perfect.

Chloé:Always.

Monroe:I forgot to ask, how long are you here for?

Chloé:One week, but I have to attend a few meetings in London. And maybe I’ll go to Manchester for one day, but that isn’t decided yet.

Monroe considered the information. She was back to work on Monday, but that meant she was free tomorrow, and flexible enough to make time—if she wanted to.

Did she want to?

Monroe:Without feeling pressured to do so…would you be free tomorrow?

Her lips pressed together nervously, her phone clasped between both palms and pressed between her thighs, as if hiding it would somehow keep her from hearing the faint buzz when Chloé replied and said she was busy.

Buzz, buzz.

She took a deep breath and pulled the phone free.

Chloé:I would love that, actually. My friend is going to be out all day, and I was only planning to head to the pub for a Sunday roast. Care to join me?

Monroe:Why don’t I cook for us both? Lamb?

Chloé:I couldn’t ask you to do that. That’s too much. Are you sure?

Monroe laughed at the message—that’s too much. Are you sure?

Monroe:I think I’m very sure. It’ll be nice to cook for someone again. And you can’t beat a home-cooked roast when it’s offered.

Chloé:Then I will be honoured to be welcomed into your home for dinner. Speaking of which, are you home yet?

Monroe:Not quite. Two more stops and then a short walk. Are you back at your friend’s already?

Chloé:Oui.Already in my night clothes, teeth brushed, just waiting up to know you’re home safe.

There was that skip again—that little extra beat in her chest, trying to say something profound.