Page 43 of City of Love

“It was fine,” I say; I talked to Luc earlier and told him where we were. “Lydia has a creepy stalker who won’t leave her alone. Is that why you called?”

There’s silence for a second before Luc says, “…Really?”

I sigh, leaning back in the chair. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“Huh,” he says, and I can’t quite figure out his tone. “How does that make you feel?”

I growl, only half paying attention to my words—I’m still so angry. “How do you think it makes me feel? I want to gouge his eyes out for looking at her and then drop him in the Seine. He has no right to even breathe the same air as her. He—”

But I break off as I realize I’ve walked right into Luc’s trap.

Luc’s laughter comes through the line. “I told you. Itoldyou, man. I told you you would feel like this. And hey, I get it. She’s hot.”

A ridiculous flash of possessiveness hits me when he says this. “Don’t talk about her like that,” I all but growl.

“And she seems great,” he goes on as though I haven’t said anything. “She stands up to you. You need someone like that.”

“I don’tneedanyone. And no one needs me,” I add, my insides pricking with anxiety.

Luc is silent for a second, and when he speaks again, his laughter is gone. “Look,” he says seriously. “You don’t actually think that, do you?”

“Not talking about it,” I say firmly.

I can tell by Luc’s silence that he’s not happy about it, but he complies anyway. “So this guy—is he actually stalking her?” he says.

“Kind of. He’s a creep,” I admit. “Keeps bugging her to go out with him. Sends her pictures, says horrible things to her. Told her the other day that no one but him would ever want her.”

“I’ve met her once, and even I know that’s not true. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing satisfying, I’m sure,” I mutter. “Because Lydia, unlike me, is a good person and would never let me do something like beat him up.”

“Sad,” Luc says, his voice musing. “Well, let me know if you want help. He sounds like scum.”

“He is,” I agree. “And I hate the way he makes her feel.” I exhale. “Anyway, enough about him. Why did you call?”

“Oh, right,” he says. “I was just updating you. I finalized a drop-off with Laurent, so it seems he’s still unaware of the conflict, and as far as I can tell, all the guys are behaving.”

I nod. “Good. Thank you.”

“No problem. Go see your girl now.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell Luc once again that Lydia isn’tmygirl, but I can’t quite manage it, so I say nothing. We say goodbye and hang up, and I’m left staring at my wall once again.

After a few minutes of just sitting there, I go to use the restroom. After that I’ll find Lydia and see how she’s doing.

The bathroom door is closed, so I knock. I wait a second before knocking again, but no one responds, so I go in—only to see Lydia. She’s wearing a fluffy bathrobe, and one long, tan leg is resting up on the sink as she rubs what looks like lotion over her skin. Her hands massage from her ankle to just above her knee and back again, and I’m hit with the distinct smell of cinnamon. She’s clearly just showered; the air is thick with steam, the mirror fogged over.

My mouth is suddenly dry, my pulse picking up, my eyes riveted to the scene before me. I’ve never been a leg guy, but I’m beginning to see the appeal.

When I pull my gaze away from that leg, I see her hair tumbling enticingly over her shoulder, her eyes focused on her task. She has earbuds in, I notice, which must be why she didn’t hear me knock.

I rub the back of my neck, yanking my eyes away. She is…distractingly attractive. And like an idiot, I’m paying attention to that. I’m standing here staring at her, for heaven’s sake, though it’s only been a couple seconds.

But a couple seconds is too long. I grit my teeth, frustration rising in me. I can’t pay attention to these things. Ican’t. Romance with Lydia would be a wild card, and I can’t do wild cards. Not to mention she deserves infinitely better than what I could ever give her.

I clear my throat loudly, waving a little to get her attention. She whips her head around and jumps when she sees me, her eyes widening.

“Oh,” she says, smiling. “It’s you.” She pulls one earbud out and puts it in the pocket of her robe. “What’s up?”

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