I glanced back to the cliff, wondering which house I’d call home for my stay. “No, not yet. I’ve literally just rolled into town.”
Maxime, Luc’s friend, would be my boss for the next month. Although she’d never met him in person, Iris had given me a vague description based on photos she’d seen and conversations she’d overheard.
She described him as a prickly but good-looking man. I imagined him as a carbon copy of Luc, pre-Iris, only older. Abored playboy escaping responsibility and spending his time brooding around, frightening the locals.
“And you have his address?” she asked. “If you get lost, I’m sure you can ask someone.”
I slowly shook my head. Iris knew I struggled with reading,andmy tendency not to ask for help—with anything. We’d once spent an hour trailing through Istanbul looking for a hostel. I’d refused to admit defeat when deciphering the road signs and we’d paid for it later, in the shape of some hefty blisters.
I chuckled.
“Chloe? Did you hear me?”
“Yes, Mum,”
“Oh, ha-ha. I’ll get some better instructions from Luc and call you back.”
I could just imagine her now, rolling her eyes, all blonde curls and pink cheeks. Iris was the best.
“Just enjoy, okay,” she said. “I know it’s not a holiday, but from what I’ve seen of Luc’s paintings of the village, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
“I will. I’m about to take my first swim. I’ll check in with you later, okay? Bye.”
I lowered the phone, but before I could hang up, Iris’s tinny voice had me bringing the device back to my ear.
“Chlo? Are you still there?”
“Yep.” I eyed the rocky climb—surely it led to the hidden cove the woman at the club had mentioned.
“Okay, good. I just wanted to remind you; first impressions don’t always count.”
A prickle ran over the back of my neck. Did she mean first impressions of me, or impressions of my new employer? Both she and Esmé had hinted the man could be grumpy. And let’s face it—I could be sketchy.
“I’m just saying, give Maxime a chance before you judge him. We can’t all be as sweet as you.”
I smiled, hopping up onto the rocks. Andthiswas why I adored her—my one-woman cheer squad.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. As long as I have his pipe, slippers and hot cocoa ready in the evenings.”
“You’re not his maid, and he’s not an old man, just a bit… complicated. Just keep on his good side, and you should be fine.”
She made him sound like a serial killer. I’d probably met dodgier people on my travels. “Well, I promise not to think the worst of him, and I’ll call you later with a full report.”
“But…” she squeaked.
“Bye!” I cut off the call. I barely got the word out when a shock of turquoise peeped through the branches of a tree. My breath thinned, and I picked up my pace, flip flops slapping against the rocks.
When I came to the top of the climb, the trees parted to reveal a perfect horseshoe shaped cove. The pebbled beach had sand at its edges and the sun sparkled on its azure water. In all the heat, my body literally cried out for immersion. Who was I to deny its request?
I dropped my backpack to the ground, found my goggles, and kicked off my flip-flops, narrowly missing one of the pale butterflies dancing in the air.
Jumping down, I landed with a crunch on the damp sand, immediately regretting it. My legs wobbled like jelly, and I had to pause, sucking in shaky breaths. Holy crap, the bus trip had sucked the energy from my quads.
As I strolled to the water, my negativity dissolved. Who cared if I couldn’t run a marathon, or my new boss was on the grumpy side? If I got to spend my days in paradise, who needed thighs of steel or a friendly face? If we kept ourselves to ourselves as much as possible, I’d be fine.
With that thought, I stopped, grinned, and peeled off my dress, heading down to the water’s edge with a squeal.
2
