Page 69 of My French Love Affair

I slam the bathroom door behind me.

* * *

After a day spent lounging at the pool, indulging in far too many expensive cocktails, and trying desperately to ignore the fact that my so-called friends are now obsessed with my alleged enemies-to-lovers situation (which, for the record, is absolutely not a thing), we finally get ready for our evening plans.

The casino.

A night for us - just the girls, just fun, just drama-free luxury.

And, thank goodness, no French menace in sight.

We should have been going here last night instead of heading to Jacques' party; but I suppose it all worked out in the end.

Emma perches on the edge of the bed, adjusting one of her earrings as I slide into my slinky black dress.

“You know,” she muses, tilting her head, “it feels suspicious that we haven’t seen him today.”

I pause mid-swipe of my lipstick, glaring at her reflection in the mirror.

“Don’t start.”

Jas grins from where she’s currently sprawled out on the chaise lounge.

“No, she’s right. It’s almost like he’s lurking.Waiting.”

“Can I getoneday off?” I complain.

Leah stands in front of the floor-length mirror, smoothing down her satin gold gown.

“You did spend an awful lot of time insisting it wasjustenemies, not enemies-to-lovers,” she says.

“Which, honestly, is the most enemies-to-lovers thing youcouldsay,” Em adds.

I throw a makeup brush at her, and Emma ducks, cackling.

“I hate all of you,” I declare, adjusting my dress and slipping into my heels. “Whatever romance books you’ve been reading are clearly messing with your head. This is my actuallife, you know.”

Jas sighs, feigning disappointment.

“That’s a shame, because weloveyou, and we just want you to experience a little romance. Or, at the very least, a mildly inappropriate Monaco fling.”

“It would be very on-brand,” Leah nods.

“I don’thavea brand,” I snap.

“You do now,” Emma laughs.

I press my fingers against my temples.

“You realise we’re going to a casino, right? A place filled with actual billionaires and actual Monaco royalty. And yet somehow -somehow- the only person you care about isthatasshole.”

Emma grins. “Yes.”

“Correct,” Jas nods.

Leah shrugs her shoulders. “We can multitask.”

I sigh deeply as I reach for my clutch.

---