“Jess, you have to be either totally keyed up or flat on your face exhausted. Either way, you haven’t seen Reid in months, so I’m going to get out of your hair and let you two spend some much deserved time together.”
Jess smiled brightly. “I’m totally keyed up. I’ve never been to Paris. I want to see everything.” Jess paused, looking around the lobby before turning her attention back to Chloe. “Do you want to come with us? We can grab a late lunch or something? I don’t know where everyone disappeared to and I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.”
Reid felt like an asshole. While he stood agitated and angered by Jess’s unexpected visit, she was inviting Chloe to tag along with them so she wouldn’t be alone. Jess deserved so much more than he was giving her. She deserved so much more than him.
“Are you kidding me?” Chloe scoffed. “We’re in Paris. The city of love. You two should have some time alone. I’ll be fine. I’m going to my room to relax, then I’ll see if any of the others want to explore. I promise, I’ll have no trouble whatsoever occupying myself. But thank you for the offer.”
Jess leaned forward and hugged Chloe once more, whispering something in her ear that Reid couldn’t understand. Chloe giggled and, with a sharp nod, stepped away. “I mean it,” Jess said, smiling.
“We’ll play it by ear. You might change your mind.” Chloe looked to Reid and smiled. “See you at rehearsals.” Without another word, Chloe spun on her heel and moved toward the elevators. Reid couldn’t tear his eyes away as she slipped inside the doors and pressed the button for their floor. Even as the doors slid shut, she never looked up.
“Well,” Jess sighed, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss on his lips. “Are you ready to show me Paris?”
Reid looked at the box of cupcakes in his hand and swallowed thickly. “Sure. Let me drop this off at the front desk so they can take them to my room.”
Jess peered at the box and licked her lips. “Oh my God, those look amazing. We should just eat them now.”
“No,” Reid snapped, his regret immediate when Jess flinched. “I’m sorry. These are Chloe’s. I’m rationing her so she doesn’t end up in a sugar coma. We can pick up some fresh ones when we’re out. Okay?”
Jess agreed, her face still colored with hurt. Reid leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. He pulled in a deep breath then gently kissed her lips. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Jess exhaled and gripped the front of his shirt. “Me too.” They stood that way for several moments before she gave him a light push and lifted her chin toward the front desk. “Go. Drop those off so we can explore. I’ll be right here.”
With a nod, Reid headed to the front desk. “Hi,” he said, leaning against the counter. “Could you have these delivered to my room?”
“Of course, Mr. Ryder—I mean, Mr. Higgins,” the clerk corrected with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I recognized you. You don’t have to worry, though, I won’t tell anyone. Is there anything else?”
Reid hesitated, a heavy sigh passing through his parted lips. “Could you do me a favor? Take that pink cupcake and keep it fresh. At midnight, can you deliver it to Ms. Bennett’s room?”
The clerk eyed him curiously as he jotted down the request. “Anything else?”
Reid motioned for the notepad and pen. The clerk passed it to him and busied himself with calling the kitchen as Reid scrawled out a note.
Happy birthday, Chloe. I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver this myself. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. -Reid
“Attach this, please,” Reid instructed as he folded the paper in half.
“Everything will be taken care of. Please let us know if you need anything else. Have a good afternoon, Mr. Higgins.”
With a nod, Reid rapped on the counter with his knuckles twice before turning and walking toward Jess, ignoring the part of him that felt like he’d completely let Chloe down.
“Shit,” Chloe sniffled, leaning against the back of the elevator. She closed her eyes as she tried to clear her mind. Seeing Reid with Jess was like standing in the middle of Iceland naked as someone poured a five-gallon bucket of ice water on her head. It was jarring and eye-opening. It was a bitter slap of reality. A reminder that she was veering toward a path that would end in nothing but shame, embarrassment, and heartache.
When the elevator dinged, she stepped out into the hall, her shoulders drooping when she spotted Inky seated on the floor by her door. “Hey.”
Inky pushed off the wall and stood. “Do we need to tiptoe around why I’m here?”
Chloe looked away. “No.”
“Good,” Inky sighed. “I’ll skip all the bullshit and just ask if you want to go get shitty.”
Chloe let out a tired laugh and smiled. “Okay, maybe we should tiptoe a little.”