Page 118 of My Best French Wedding

“You mean, was I planning the next issue of my magazine while we were having sex?”

His shoulders moved in a shrug she felt against her back. “Not to be insecure, but I thought I had your full attention.”

“You did.” She kissed his hand. “This came to me while I was falling asleep.”

“It sounds amazing, Hildy.”

“I know. And much more our brand—exploring different facets of a woman’s life, centering relationships that go beyond the romantic. Etcetera.” Even though she couldn’t see his face, Hildy sensed the worry wafting off Walter. “What is it?”

“I just want to make sure it’s not because of… this. You didn’t change all your plans because we slept together?”

She pushed away just far enough to roll onto her back. “Yes, you ensorcelled me with your magic wand. I am no longer capable of independent thought.” Reaching up, she pressed a finger to the crease between his brows. “Give me a break. I’m still the boss of me, Walter. You are lucky enough to be witnessing me at the peak of my powers.”

“Very lucky,” he agreed, slipping a finger into her hair and wrapping it in one of her curls.

“I’ll grant you that it’s possible the sex enhanced my creativity. It felt like I reached a higher state of being a couple of times there.”

“Does that make me your muse?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“But it is something you should do regularly,” he said, as if he were a doctor dispensing medical advice. “To keep yourself in top form.”

“Like flossing my teeth?”

“Exactly.” He lowered his head to kiss her shoulder. “I’m glad you told me.”

“It’s nice not being rivals, isn’t it?”

“Very. Also, I was going to text my editor in a few hours to tell him I’d lost the story.”

“Ha!” She poked him in the chest. “Too late, loser. Somebody beat you to the punch. How does it feel to come in secondagain?”

“Honestly? Pretty great.” He gave an exaggerated shiver. “Except my lower back is a little cold. I don’t usually sleep naked.”

“Poor baby.” Hildy reached over him to grab the edge of the sheet, tucking it up under his chin. “All these things I still need to learn about you. Are you a one leg in and one leg out person? Full burrow?”

“Depends on the season. You’ll have to stick around to find out.”

She wormed her way under the sheet, pressing herself against him. “You know what always makes me think of you?”

“Sunsets?” he guessed. “Wild horses? Piano ballads?”

Hildy shook her head. “Washing my sheets.”

“Seriously? I’m going to have to up my game.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She tickled her way up his rib cage. “Don’t pretend you forgot our meet-cute.”

Walter grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “It rings a bell.”