Page 96 of The Last Kiss

Wrapped in a towel I hesitate at the en suite door. He frowns, a towel draped from his narrow hips like a masterpiece, water dripping from his shaggy waves down his golden skin. “What’s wrong?”

“Is Simone going to be sitting on the bed again, ‘cause I have to say, I’d find that weird after the noise you’ve just made me make.”

His smile wolfs into a smirk. “Why would she be on the bed?”

My face contorts and I watch it in the mirror, but then I’m also staring at his back muscles, which truly I don’t think I’ve studied enough yet. With a shake of his head, he sighs. “She’s lonely.”

“But she doesn’t go to school?”

I don’t know how we’ve gone from shower sex to talking about his niece in the space of moments, but clearly the Simone situation is odd and needs to be dealt with, and the truth is, I want to help him. I know I’m not staying, can’t stay; this life isn’t for me, but I want to play a role in Henri’s life no matter how small.

“She should go to school. All children need interaction with others their age.”

“Maman doesn’t want to confuse her, because sometimes she goes to Paris too.”

“Well, I don’t want to sound too stern, but it has to be one or the other. Either she is here settled and in school, or in Paris. She can’t just wait around without a clear routine.”

I sound like my father, I can hear him echoing in my ears, all children should have a routine, be taught to achieve, to have a role to play.

Blah blah blah.

“Okay, ignore me. I don’t think I actually mean that.”

Henri’s frown deepens. “You’re repeating someone else’s words?”

“Yeah, just ignore me.”

“Non, you are right. Maman, she doesn’t cope well with upheaval right now.”

“I hate to be rude, Henri, but your father died eight months ago. And I know it was a shock, and it’s horrible to lose a loved one…”

“But you think she’s using it as an excuse?”

I shrug, tout français, “Who am I to say? I just got the impression last night at dinner that she wasn’t very approving of your trips to London, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s why you haven’t come back the last six weeks.”

“She needs me.”

“Of course, she does. But I think you need to think of yourself and your sister too, not just what your mother thinks.”

And that’s why I can’t allow myself to need him too. Not now. Not at this point of desperate complication.

“So,” I paint a bright smile on my face, chasing away the shadows of gloom that want to steal away these last few sunshine moments from my life, “Are we going to the beach or standing in the bathroom all day?”

“Beach.” That frown deepens. “If you’re well enough.”

“Well enough to lay on the beach all day and soak up vitamin D? I think I can handle it.” Handle it, crave it, need it like I need oxygen and a new heart.

“But if you want another shower…?” The frown finally lifts, and he gifts me with a beautiful smile. I’m taking that smile with me to the dark side.

“Sure, there’s enough hot water for how long I’d do that in the shower with you?”

With a broad laugh he pulls me in, playfully wrestling me against his firm body. Heat ripples over me again, an endless dry scorch that exists when I’m with him.

“Okay, we really need to get out of this bathroom.”

His own desire tents the towel, and he glances down chuckling. “Oui, we do.”

On the bed are two small fancy looking bags, shiny with chic writing. “What’s this?”