Page 37 of Host for the Holidays
“Is that you, Madi?”
The door opens wider, and Josh is on the other side. In the courtyard.
“Finally,” he says. Seeing the confused looks on our faces, he explains, “Someone came through a few minutes ago and let me in.”
“Oh.” My heart is a bit shellshocked by his sudden appearance. “I thought you got sick of waiting and left.”
He gives me a teasing look. “I wasaboutto. It’s not good form to make a man wait in the cold, you know. Hey, Rémy.”
“It’s my fault she’s late,” Rémy says after giving him a little nod. “I insisted on making a stop after IKEA.”
“Just don’t let it happen again, man.” Josh is half-teasing, half-not, and I can’t help but feel embarrassed—for him and for me.
I can swear Rémy has a comeback on his lips, but he just says, “Of course not.”
“It’s only 8:30,” I say to Josh. “We could go out and see something, grab a dessert, maybe.”
Josh makes a little grimace. I’ve seen it a million times, but for some reason, it bothers me in a new way tonight. “If I hadn’t been standing in the cold forever already, maybe, but I kinda just wanna get inside and get warm.”
Rémy leads the way to the door and unlocks it, opening it for me and Josh to pass through.
“Thanks,” I say, not even responding to Josh’s comment.
Rémy meets my eye with the ghost of a smile and tells me, “Je t’en prie,” which is French foryou’re welcome. Add speaking French to the list of things attractive men shouldn’t be allowed to do. Especially when they’re putting a rude guy in his place at the metro station.
I make my way toward the stairs, but Josh grabs my hand. He presses the elevator button, looking at me like,Duh. Of course we’re taking this way up.
“Oh,” I say. “I usually take the stairs.”
“What? Why?”
I just look at him.
“Right. Small spaces. You gotta get over thatsomeday, Mads. Why not in Paris?”
I clench my teeth together. “I think I’ve hit my quota for facing my fears on this trip already. We took the metro here.”
Josh’s brows go up, and he glances at Rémy. “Really?”
Rémy nods. He’s not usually this quiet, which makes me think Josh either makes him uncomfortable or he doesn’t like him.
Josh pulls me into a side hug. “Way to go, Mads. Conquering your fears one by one like a champ. I knew all you needed was a push.”
“Is that why you booked a place that forces me to go up a ladder to get to bed?”
Josh smiles guiltily. “I figured you could handle a few feet. Baby steps.”
I know he’s just trying to help me, but I’m feeling less than patient with his good intentions right now.
The elevator doors open, and he puts out a hand, inviting me to go in. All I can think of is the time the elevator stalled on the way down to this level. I’m not up for that right now.
Rémy is watching me, quiet as ever.
“I’m just gonna take the stairs,” I say.
Josh’s face falls, but he nods. “I’ll see you up there, then.”
SEVENTEEN
