Colette draws my attention back to her with a sharp, “Putain, Luca!
Fuck!I sure hope that means she’s ready to give up.
I wait for a hint of silence and then carefully check the peephole.
She’s gone.
I rush to the balcony, tossing the window open in haste.I need to get a better look at her.
Ugh!Why am I torturing myself?
I wait patiently, pressing up against the cold window frame, holding my breath, as if that will somehow make me invisible.
After a few moments, an exquisite, tall brunette steps out of the building, wearing a black tailored wool coat over a chunky tan sweater, paired with a knee-length skirt and high boots—the epitome of Parisian chic.
Dang it, she’s absolutely beautiful.
Maybe a little hostile, but drop-dead gorgeous, nonetheless.
She pivots in my direction, and my breath hitches, wishing I could slink back inside.She stops, slips on a pair of oversized sunglasses, and glances up in my direction.
Oh crap.Oh crap.Oh crap.
Why did I come out here?
I freeze as our eyes meet—her expression unreadable—maybe surprise, perhaps anger.
Either way, Luca is busted.
ChapterFourteen
JEMMA
It’s all ruined.
Absolutely ruined.
Why did I have to look?
She saw me; she definitely saw me.
I should have stayed hidden behind the door like the good little pity houseguest that I’m supposed to be.
Ugh!Dang it, Jemma!
Do I text Luca and apologize?But for what?
I still don’t know who this feisty mystery woman is to him.Maybe I’m overreacting.After all, I’ve done nothing wrong, except for not answering a door to a home that isn’t mine.He’d understand.Right?
Plus, it sounds like Colette is heading to the same place Luca is this morning, so the ball is in her court now.I can’t imagine she’s going to let this go.It doesn’t seem in her nature.I hope I didn’t get Luca in trouble after everything he’s done for me.
My tortured brain is racing back and forth, but one thing is certain; my hopes of staying another night seem further away now.
“Why did I have to go and look?”I whisper, slinking back inside, latching the window behind me.
I could really use one of Gretchen’s pep talks right about now.I sigh, reaching deep down into the pit of my soul, summoning a dose of much needed positivity.Gretchen would tell me that no matter what happens, I still have this beautiful apartment all to myself for the next few hours and to make the most of it.It would be a shame to not enjoy what’s right in front of me.
So, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.Well, after I tackle the itty bitty mess I made.Which was not my fault, by the way.It was hers.
