“The Marco–Reus company have decided that the launch event should happen in Paris, so you’ll be flying there in a week,” she said. “Meet Susan for all the preparations you need.”
I could have hugged her when she said that. Paris was my favourite city, and I hadn’t visited in a very long time. But now that the opportunity lay right in front of me, I couldn’t have been happier.
As soon as I left the office, I called Rachel and told her the good news. As expected, she squealed so loudly that I As soon as I left the office, i had to move the phone away from my ear.
“Girl, I’m canceling all my plans for next week,” she said. “We’re going to have so much fun. This promotion. came at the perfect time.”
“I can’t wait,” I said. “It’s been so long since I went to Paris. I know the perfect restaurant where we can eat crepes and drink the most heavenly coffee you’ve ever had.”
We spent the next few hours talking about all the things we were going to do in Paris. I mostly wanted to go shopping, while Rachel was more concerned with the food and tourist attractions where she could take pictures. But at the end of the conversation, we both decided that we needed to go out tonight and celebrate my promotion.
Or rather, Rachel suggested that we should go out for drinks, and I obliged. It was a weeknight, but I already knew she would be the one getting wasted while I would have to drive us home..
I was just about to stop a taxi when I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder, and I whirled around to find Chris beaming at me. He was wearing a navy blue suit, which hugged him in all the right places. His copper hair was pushed back, prominently showing his strong jaw and sharp blue eyes.
1/3
Chapter Twenty Two
+25 BONUS
“Hi,” I said, a surprised look flashing across my face.
“Hello, Olivia,” he said. “Fancy meeting you here.‘
What are you doing here, Chris?” I asked.
“Relax,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not stalking you or anything. I actually work here at Emerson and Parker’s law firm.”
“You’re a lawyer?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah,” he said. “We didn’t really get to talk much last time before you stormed off. I hope I didn’t say or do something to offend you.”
“No, you’re good,” I said. “I just had a lot on my mind that day. Sorry for running out on you like that.”
thatay.
“Apology not accepted,” he said. “Why don’t you make up for it by letting me take you out for a cup of coffee or something?”
I took a step back awkwardly, clutching my purse tighter and looking at everything except him. I just couldn’t meet his gaze, knowing that I was about to let him down. But when I briefly looked up at him, the expectant look in his eyes made me feel so bad.
I’m so sorry, Chris,” I said. “You seem like a great guy…”
“But you’re just not interested in me like that,” he said, his shoulders dropping. I understand.”
“No, you don’t,” I said quickly. “I know this is going to sound so cliche, but it’s really not you. It’s me. I have a lot of emotional baggage that I still haven’t dealt with, and it wouldn’t be fair on you if I dumped all of that on you without properly dealing with everything on my own.”
10
He cocked his head to the side, and a small smile stretched across his lips. “I see.
“What?” I asked.
“You think I’m going to be boring,” he said.
“No, it’s not that,” I replied. “Didn’t you hear what I said?“”
“We both know that’s just code for when you think a guy is going to be boring on a date,” he said. “But I’ll make you a bet. If you go on one date with me and it turns out to be boring, you will never have to go out with me again.”
Something about the way he was so playful and relaxed about it caused me to smile. I hadn’t spoken to any guy like this in the last three years, but I was starting to loosen up with him. He wasn’t being insufferable, but he was actually being so sweet and charming. And talking to him was not as difficult as I thought it would be to talk to a man once again.
“Come on,” he said, wiggling his shoulders in a goofy way that caused me to laugh. “You know you want to.”
I pursed my lips and pretended to think about it, even though I’d already made up my mind.
“One drink?” I asked.
“Just one,” he replied. “And maybe a short walk afterwards so you can work off some of that caffeine.”
“And if it sucks, I never have to see you again?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” he said, drawing an X over his heart.
“Fine,” I said. “One drink. But it can’t be today. I’m going out with my friend tonight.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter Twenty Two
“Alright,” he said, handing me lids phone. “Let me have your phone number so we can set up a suitable date.”
I rolled my eyes at him, then quickly typed my number intits phone and handed it back to him.
“Well, it was nice running into you today, Olivia,” he said. I’m glad I stepped out for a smoke at this exact moment. Otherwise, I might have missed you,”
“I thought you didn’t smoke,” I said, raising a questioning “yebrow.
“I don’t “he shrugged, pulling out a cigarette pack from his pocket. “But when everyone believes you do, it means you’re free to walk out of the building whenever you want and just take a break for a few minutes.”
I laughed at the genius of his strategy, and as I was about to turn away, he leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek which caused every internal organ of mine to melt into jelly. He smelled so good, like a manly, earthy fragrance that shook me to the core.
“Until next time, my lady,” he said, pausing to let his gaze inger on my eyes for a bit before he walked back into the building. And as I watched him walk away, something shifted inside me, like a sudden moment of realisation. For so long, I’d tried not to think about it at all. But now, talking to Chris and having him be so close to me, I realised something I’d been running from for so long:
Maybe I was ready to give someone else a chance.
。
