Chapter 224
It was after one of the many episodes where Noah gave me hope, only to rip it away and run back to Chloe the moment she crooked her finger at him. We’d been getting closer for two months and he’d even taken me out on what I thought was a date.
It wasn’t my finest moment. I was drunk. I was hurting and I just wanted the pain to stop. So I hooked up with some guy I barely even remember.
“Let’s not bring that day up,” I groan. “I barely remember anything past the drinking p>
“Fine,” she says cheerfully. “But just so you know, I’m proud of you p>
“For what p>
“For finally letting someone in,” she says, her tone softer now. “It shows you’re truly healing. That you’re finally choosing yourself and happiness over past heartache p>
I stay quiet, because what is there to say?
“So,” she continues, watching me closely. “What is it about him? What makes him special? How did he manage to do something so many men failed at p>
I lower my hands, thinking.
“Is it weird that I don’t know?” I say slowly. “There’s just something about him. Something that drew me in from the moment I walked into his office for my first appointment. I don’t know how to put it into words p>
I barely understand it myself. Barely understand why I’m drawn to him, so how could I possibly explain it to her?
She nods. “It’s not weird. Sometimes we don’t need words. We just need to trust our instincts. Trust that small voice that’s almost always right p>
We fall quiet for a moment before I break the silence. “What about you? Found any guy who’s caught your attention p>
She leans back in her chair and folds her hands, a slow smile spreading across her face. “You know me. I like mine broody and A little dark. Someone who can command me and tell me to get down on my fucking knees p>
I blink before chuckling. “You’ve read too many novels. That sounds like something straight out of a book p>
“Well,” she shrugs, unapologetic, “a girl can dream p>
“So basically,” I say with a chuckle, “you want a dark-romance kind of love p>
“The darker, the better,” she smirks.
I lean forward, studying her. “You know what I think? You love control, Lilly and most men you meet can’t handle that. They can’t handle a strong woman who bows to no one. So you want someone different p>
She raises a brow, intrigued.
“You want a man who’s your equal in every way,” I continue. “A man who won’t bow or tuck his tail between his legs. A man who can stand toe-to-toe with you and still make you submit… That’s why you’re drawn to dark romance, you crave a man that can tame you p>
Her smirk deepens. “You might be right, but until I meet my match, it’s a moot point p>
I smile. “You’ll find him one day p>
I’m sure of it and when she finally does. When she meets the man who can stand toe-to-toe with her, I’m willing to bet my fucking ass it’ll be glorious.
“So,” she says casually, as if she isn’t about to drop a bomb, “I have a business trip coming up p>
I raise a brow. “Okay p>
“It’s in Paris,” she adds.
I blink. “You’re joking p>
I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. I just never got the chance. At first, it was too expensive and when money stopped being an issue, I was always too busy to take a real vacation.
“Nope,” she says. “And I was wondering if you’d like to join me p>
“Lilly p>
“Think about it,” she says gently. “A change of scenery would be good for you p>
“My hand is in a cast.” I raise my hand, lamely.
“So?” she shrugs. “It’s not like you need your hands to walk… Come on it’ll be fun p>
I picture it, and damn, it’s hard to say no, so I agree, before I can overthink it.