Page 59 of City of Love

She cuts off, her cheeks reddening as she looks fixedly at her hands, and my eyes widen as it hits me: sheisjealous.

My heart, traitor that it is, begins to race. Why is she jealous? Why does she care if someone else has had their head in my lap?

“I was joking,chérie,” I say, trying to keep my voice and expression casual. If she thinks I can tell she’s jealous, she’ll just be embarrassed. “You’re the only one who’s been using me as a pillow.”

I don’t think I’m imagining the way she relaxes, the tension leaving her shoulders.

“Good,” she says. “I—yeah. Good.”

I want to ask her what she means, but that would just be enabling the stupid feelings that keep trying to push their way into my chest. Those feelings don’t need any encouraging. So instead, I just say,

“So what’s the plan for this evening? We haven’t done our spontaneous adventure today.”

Lydia lets out a mock gasp and flutters her hand over her heart. “Monsieur Marchand,” she says, sounding like a Southern belle, “are you actuallyexcitedabout spontaneity?”

“No,” I say, though it sounds more like a grunt than an actual word.

“I think you are,” she says, smiling widely. She scoots forward, patting my cheek a few times as though she’s a grandmother greeting her favorite grandchild. “Don’t worry,” she says, still grinning. “I won’t tell a soul.”

She lets her hand drop as she looks around the room, clearly thinking hard. “What to do, what to do…oh! I know!” she says, her face lighting up. There’s something a bit mischievous about this expression, which makes me nervous.

“What?” I say, preparing myself for something ridiculous that she’ll undoubtedly love anyway.

“I wanted to see where you work! Let’s go there. Are you cool with that? I know a lot of people don’t like to go where they work.”

“How about a different bar?” I say, thinking. “I don’t mind going, but there’s another place I think you’d like.”

She nods. “Sure, that’s fine. And let’s invite Luc.”

My eyes cut to hers more quickly than I’m proud of. “Luc?”

“Yes. Luc.” She pauses. “Your friend? The one—”

I snort, and she breaks off. “I know who you’re talking about. I was just surprised.” And I’m fine with it, really; I need to ask how the drop off with Laurent went, anyway.

She shrugs. “I like Luc. I want to get to know him better. But you can invite anyone else too, if you want?”

A sudden image jumps to mind of Lydia in the middle of a bar, surrounded by the guys, their hands pawing at her. “No,” I say firmly. “Just Luc.”

The guys wouldn’t treat her like that; none of them are gross. But I still wouldn’t trust them to take care of her the way I will.

Because no one will take care of her like I will.

***

It’s with apprehension that I wait for Lydia three hours later, after she’s kicked me out of her room to change into something other than a t-shirt and shorts. I’m not sure what Luc is going to be like tonight, and I’m tempted to text him and tell him tobehave himself or else.He has my best interests at heart, but he can be a little over the top.

“Lydia,” I call, looking at my watch. “We should—oh, there you are.”

Lydia rounds the corner into the living room, and I smile when I see her. She’s wearing a casual white dress, made of some sort of material that looks like lacy cotton. Eyelet, I think it’s called? It’s short with fluttery sleeves and a modest neckline, and her tan heels make her legs look incredible—long and shapely. I do my best not to stare, going to the door instead and waiting for her.

“You look beautiful,chérie,” I say, opening the door.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, and I put my hand on the small of her back as she passes—only to pull it immediately away again, because my touch is met with skin.

There’s no back to her dress. Nothing at all. No straps, no ties. All that’s visible is sleeves, skirt, and a vast expanse of smooth, golden skin.

The crease of her spine. The curve of her waist. The angles of her shoulder blades. All on beautiful, sensual display—all begging for my touch. I’m hit with the sudden, urgent desire to go find a jacket for her.

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