“Fi. What you saw. We didn’t plan it.” I paused, picking my words. “But it has happened before.”
The corners of her red lips curled even higher, and sheshook her head. “Maxi, you know me. I don’t judge. But Iwillalways tell you when I think you’re making the wrong move.”
My gut twisted as I waited for her caution.
Instead, she beamed at me. “You’re not making the wrong move. Chloe’s done more for you in two and a half weeks than a lifetime of Valeries or locking your heart away ever could.”
She stepped forward, running her hands down my arms. “I want to see my friend happy. And if anyone coulddo that, it’s Chloe.”
I swallowed, my heart burgeoning in my chest. “I want the same.”
She rubbed a hand over my shoulder. “Then grab happiness, my friend.” She nodded toward the table where Chloe, Sophie, and the others sat. “I’m pretty sure it’s yours for the taking.”
I looked over, too. Sophie was deep in conversation, nose crinkled mid-giggle. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her so at ease. And then I found Chloe, chatting quietly with Luc’s wife, winding a curl around her finger. The apples of her cheeks glowed in the light. My breath thinned.
If this was happiness, I’d take it.
Fifi trailed her fingers down my arm, gripping my hand and giving it a squeeze. “I’d get back if I were you. The chef’s about to bring out the birthday cake. You don’t want to make a bad impression by missing the celebrations.”
I leaned in, kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Enough,” she said, shooing me away. “I don’t need my mascara running everywhere.”
By the time I got back to the table, the waiter had poured champagne. When I sat down, Chloe found my gaze faster than a whitebait seeking the safety of its shoal, and my chest pulsed. She smiled, the little dimple on her chin catching the light.
“You checked your net?” she asked. A subtle curve of her lips betrayed her meaning. She wanted to know if I’d dealt withthe unexpected situation she caused in my trousers. I tugged at my lip. I certainly hadn’t dealt with it properly. I’d wait until I was safely back in my room for that.
An excited “ooh” from Sophie stopped all conversation as Fifi and the chef arrived with a birthday cake.
I suppressed a smile as the chef laid the tallest croquembouche I’d ever seen in the centre of the table. It was hardly the simple cake we’d discussed. This was more of a confectionary “construction”—a tower of choux pastry puffs filled with cream,held together by caramel and spun sugar. He’d even decorated the sides with tiny fondant starfish, shells and pearls.
It looked less like dessert and more like overcompensation. But judging by the delighted gasps around the table, and the attention from nearby guests, I’d definitely give the chef a bonus in his pay packet.
As the fuss died down, Luc’s wife stood. She gave a speech about friendship and love, but honestly, I couldn’t pay attention. I couldn’t take my eyes off Chloe. She looked so happy, so content. She glowed, holding her friends’ hand like she’d never let go.
I swallowed. Was I envious of the obvious love they shared? Perhaps a little. But the woman sitting opposite was Chloe at her absolute best. I could barely contain the beat of my heart when I imaged that one day, if I was lucky, Chloe might look at me with the same devotion.
After Luc and Esmé blew out little candles shaped like coral, everyone settled back to enjoy their champagne and overindulge in sugar.
Chloe leaned back in her seat, groaning. On a dare from Sophie, she’d just demolished an entire pastry puff in one mouthful and was licking the cream from her lips.
“What did Iris give you for your birthday, Luc? I wouldn’t have a clue what to buy someone with your kind of money.”
The table fell silent, all attention turning to Chloe. My heart skipped. In Luc’s world, people didn’t talk openly about money—especially not other peoples.
But Chloe just shrugged her shoulders, glancing around at her friends. “What? Are we all going to pretend Luc doesn’t have a castle and a jet? Not to mention the racehorses and the winery? I know he doesn’t mind me talking about it. I just wondered what one bought a billionaire for their birthday?”
Iris chuckled and after a quick glance at Luc, who nodded to her, she turned, taking Chloe’s hand. “Well…” she began, her words faltering.
Luc leaned forward, weaving an arm around his wife’s back. “Iris has given me the best gift in the world.”
She ran her thumb over the back of Chloe’s freckled hand, nodding her head. “We’re having a baby!”
At the announcement, Chloe’s eyes widened to the size of the cream puffs on the cake.
Iris leaned forward. “I wanted to tell you earlier, but I felt I should do it in person. Everyone’s been busting to let the cat out of the bag. But I told them we had to wait.”
Chloe glanced around the table, and her face fell. Just for a second. My heart tugged at the tremble of her lips.
