Page 264 of My French Love Affair

He’salwaysbeen paying attention.

"You didresearchon me?"

My voice is teasing, but there’s an undeniable tremor beneath it.

His smirk deepens, and he leans back against the pillows, stretching his arms behind his head like he hasn’t just completely wrecked me with that revelation.

"Of course I did," he says smoothly. "You think I’d get involved with a woman without knowing everything I can about her?"

I narrow my eyes. "Everything?"

Frederic’s gaze flickers with amusement. "Well, noteverything. Yet."

I roll my eyes, but I can’t fight the heat rushing through me.

"That’s… weirdly intense of you."

"It’ssmartof me," he corrects. "You’re talented. Your designs are impressive. You have an actual brand forming here, and I’d be an idiot not to notice."

I shake my head, still trying to wrap my mind around this.

"And what exactly do you plan to do with all this…research?"

"Simple," he says, reaching for his coffee. "I plan to make sure we work."

I freeze.

The words land heavily between us, filling every space, settling into my skin like a promise.

He takes a sip of his coffee, completely unbothered - completelyconfident, as if what he just said isn’t causing me to have a full-on internal meltdown.

"You’re serious?" I finally manage.

His brow lifts slightly, like the question is offensive. "Obviously."

I inhale sharply, trying to steady myself, but it’s impossible when he’s looking at me likethat- all cool confidence, all absolute certainty.

"But… how?" I ask, gesturing vaguely between us. "This- your life, my life - it’s not exactly simple, Frederic."

He sets his coffee down and leans in, his eyes locked onto mine.

"It’s not complicated, either."

I scoff. "You fly across the world every other week."

"Exactly. I'm used to the travel." His lips twitch. "Besides, you only have one year left of university, and then - well, who knows. But, again: London isn’t far."

I chew on the inside of my cheek, hesitant. "What about your schedule?"

Frederic shrugs. "It’s demanding, yes. But I have time between races. I have breaks. And Ialwayshave Monaco."

I raise a brow. "YourMonaco, you mean?"

"Well, my family's Monaco. But yes. You could visit whenever you wanted."

I let out a slow breath, staring down at the breakfast tray between us, trying to make sense of this - ofus.

"I don’t know," I murmur, toying with the corner of my napkin. "It’s just… a lot."

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