Page 38 of Je T'aime, Actually

She came with a tremble, a rush, a soft cry against Chloé’s shoulder.

And when she opened her eyes, Chloé was smiling at her, wet hair plastered to her cheeks, eyes warm.

“I’m definitely going to be late,” Monroe said breathlessly.

Chloé grinned. “Blame me.”

thirty

“Are you moving to France?” Poppy said, freezing mid-motion as she swung around to face Monroe, eyes wide.

“No,” Monroe said emphatically, then added, “I mean…maybe. One day. I don’t know.” She grabbed a biscuit from the plate and nibbled at the edge. “I’m just going over for the weekend, that’s all.”

“But you’ve only just got back, and you barely know this woman.”

“I’ve been back for two weeks and last week, you were practically shoving me towards her.”

Poppy sighed. “That was when I thought it was just a fuck. Something to get you over Justine.”

“Well, it did. But it wasn’t just a fuck. It was agoodfuck—anout of this worldfuck. And I want to fuck some more, so I’m going over to visit.” Monroe grinned.

Poppy narrowed her eyes, but there was no real heat behind it, just concern layered under years of friendship. “You say that likeit’s casual, but I’ve never seen you grin like that over someone unless it meant something.”

Monroe shrugged, trying to act breezy but failing to contain the lift in her cheeks. “Maybe it does mean something. I’m not ruling that out.”

“Right.” Poppy folded her arms. “So this isn’t just about sex.”

Monroe paused, then said softly, “No. It’s not.”

That answer stilled the air for a second. Poppy’s expression softened. “Okay, I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. You dove in deep with Justine, and that didn’t end well.”

“This is different,” Monroe said quickly. “She’sdifferent. She listens. She actually shows up. And when she doesn’t know something, she says so instead of dodging.”

“God,” Poppy grumbled, “basic human decency really does feel like a revelation after Justine, huh?”

Monroe laughed. “Apparently.”

Poppy reached for a biscuit of her own and bit into it thoughtfully. “Well…as your best friend, l reserve the right to grill her if she ever sets foot back here.”

“She’d probably enjoy that,” Monroe said, half-joking.

“Oh, good,” Poppy said, raising a brow. “She’s brave. I like her already.”

They both laughed, and for the first time in a while, Monroe felt like the ground under her feet was solid, and maybe even heading somewhere worth walking towards.

“In the meantime, I’m all yours,” Monroe said. “How about we have a girls’ night?”

“I’m sure Frank would love that.” Poppy grinned. “Me, you, pizza, wine…and him with the kids?”

“I think it sounds perfect.”

“I think I agree.”

thirty-one

The air in the meeting room was still, thick with anticipation and polite dread. Chloé stood at the head of the long table, notes in front of her, though she knew the details by heart. She’d rehearsed this speech in her head for weeks, knowing it was inevitable. Still, her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table as she looked out at the team.

Every face was turned to her—some curious, some cautious, a few already closed off.