Chapter fifty-four
Rylee
I’m still figuring it out.
B ertrand pulls up to the mansion and steps out. He comes around the car to open the door for me. My eyes are wide as I take everything in. It’s nothing like I remembered from that night. It’s so much bigger in the evening light.
It’s made of beige stone with a slate-gray roof. Cobblestones pave the driveway, leading up to the grand entrance. Towering trees rise in the back. Perfectly cut grass and blooming flowers frame the front.
I glance at the staircase leading up to the heavy black door where an older woman waits for me. Bertrand grabs my suitcase from the trunk and carries it up the stairs.
“Hi, Mrs. Kingley. My name is Pamela. Right this way, please.”
Mrs. Kingley? The title feels strange and unfamiliar in my head as she gestures for me to follow her.
I nod, forcing my feet to move as I follow her into the grand foyer, my heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.
As we step inside, my gaze drifts to the living room off to the right. The memories hit me like a wave. That’s where Luc and I spent the night together playing Uno. His laughter filled the room, and his smile, so boyish and genuine it made my chest ache.
And then later, we lay on the couch, his lips on mine, his hands gently tracing my skin. He wanted more, and I could see it in the way his eyes burned into mine. But I couldn’t. Not because of Mia, but because of me. Because I was afraid of what I’d feel if I let him in completely.
His lips were a drug, and if I let things go further than that, it would have been impossible to leave. And I was right. His touch still burns into my skin from our time in Barcelona.
A familiar barking fills the living room as Ruby run toward me.
“Ruby!” I crouch on the floor, and she leaps onto my lap. My arms wrap around her, and her tail wags wildly.
“Hey, sweet girl, what are you doing here?” I thought she would stay in Paris with Luc. “Tu m’as vraiment manqué (I missed you),” I whisper.
She barks as if to say she missed me, too.
I look up and freeze when I see Sophie standing a few feet away with another familiar face. Luna. My heart leaps.
“Luna?” I rise to my feet, barely processing the moment as I pull her into a tight hug. “What are you doing here?” I pull away, my eyes searching her face.
“I’ve been staying here.” Her smile widens.
“I thought you left after the wedding?” I give her arm a little squeeze just to make sure she’s really here.
“I didn’t. Luc wanted it to be a surprise.”
I blink.
Sophie steps closer, and I hug her next. My mind’s still trying to make sense of how Luna is still here. My mother would never let her spend all that time with me.
Pamela clears her throat gently at the foot of the staircase. “Let me show you to your room.”
“I’m gonna take a bath, I’ll see you girls in a minute.” I follow Pamela up the stairs. I thought the two-hour drive would give me clarity, but now I’m more confused than before.
This suite is way bigger than the one in Barcelona. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the gardens. For a moment, I want to be back there, where I could pretend.
One by one, I peel off my clothes, leaving a trail behind me as my feet lead me to the bathroom. I’ll clean it later. Probably.
The bathroom is just as extravagant as the rest of the suite, and of course, it’s stocked with vanilla everything. The thought makes my chest tight.
I twist the faucet, letting the water fill the tub as I sit on the edge. My phone is in my hand before I even realize it, my thumb hesitating over the screen.
Me: Hi, I’m here now.
I hit send before I can overthink it, and almost immediately, the three dots appear. Was he waiting for my text?
Luc: Thanks for letting me know. You should have everything you need, but if there’s something missing, please let me know.
I turn off the faucet, adding some vanilla-scented bath soap. The smell wraps around me.
Me: Thank you.
Luc: Anything for you, Mon Trésor.
Mon Trésor?
I tie my hair up into a ponytail before sliding into the tub, the warmth soothing my tense muscles.
Luc: How was the drive?
Me: It was okay.
Luc: What are you doing now?
I hesitate, biting my lip before typing back.
Me: I’m about to take a bath.
Luc: Fuck, I shouldn’t have asked. Now I’m picturing you naked in the tub, and it’s killing me.
Me: Luc??
Luc: I’m sorry, baby. I can’t help it.
Me: And Luna?
Luc: She’ll be staying with you for a while.
Me: What do you mean?
Luc: check your email.
I open my mailbox and there’s an email from him with an attachment. Temporary Custody Agreement . The dates—they’re from weeks before the wedding.
Me: I don’t understand. How?
Luc: I went to see your mother. I convinced her to enter a rehab center. It’s all paid for—six months. She agreed to let Luna stay with us in the meantime. This gives you time to work on getting full custody.
I press a hand to my mouth as I fight the tears that threaten to spill.
Me: You did this for me?
Luc: I’ll do anything for you.
Me: Luc
Luc: Yes, Mon Trésor?
Me: Thank you, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
Luc: You’re welcome *heart emoji*
Luc: Do you want me to stop texting you?
Me: No, it’s okay.
Luc: Ask me anything.
I stare at his text, wondering what to ask him.
Me: Anything?
Luc: Yes, anything.
Me: What’s your name? I feel like I should know.
I hit send, then immediately regret it. Of course, I know his name. I’m about to press unsend when the three dots appear.
Luc: Lucien.
I let out a breath of relief that he decided to entertain me and play along. Before I can type a response, another message comes through.
Luc: What’s yours?
Me: Rylee, and do you go by Lucien or Luc?
Luc: What do you think?
Luc: Rylee is such a beautiful name btw.
Me: hmmm… Luc. It feels less intimidating.
Me: And thank you.
I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips.
Luc: Why is that?
Me: Lucien sounds like those grumpy billionaires in the movies.
Luc: *laughing emojis*
Luc: Where are you from?
Me: New York. And you?
Luc: Paris. What are you doing in France?
Me: I’m still figuring that out.
The bubbles appear before they vanish.
I stare at my phone, biting the inside of my cheek. I should put it down, but instead I type another message and hit send.
Me : What are you doing right now?
The bubbles appear instantly, like he’s been waiting.
Luc: You sure you want to know?
Me: Tell me.
Luc: Sitting on the couch missing you.
Me: Luc…
Luc: It’s only been a few hours, and I miss you like crazy.
Me: Luc don’t
The silence stretches until his bubbles appear again.
Luc: What about you? Still in the tub?
Me: Maybe.
Luc: Let me guess. Hair tied into a messy bun, your one and only favorite vanilla scent filling the bathroom. And you’re sitting there convincing yourself you don’t miss me too .
A small gasp escapes me. How does he do this? I stare at his message. The inside of my cheek catches between my teeth. I hate that he’s right .
Luc: Please stop biting the inside of your cheek.
My jaw drops as my thumb freezes over the screen. How the hell does he know? I glance around the room as if he’s somehow watching me.
Me: Are you spying on me?
Luc: I don’t need to. I just know you.
I exhale, a mix of frustration and something softer tugging at my chest.
Luc: It’s okay, Mon Trésor.
I’ll wait for as long as you want.
Me: Good night Luc.
I lower the phone into my chest, leaning my head against the tub. Damn me for missing him.
The phone vibrates again, and I glance at the screen.
Luc: Can I text you tomorrow?
I should say no. I need time to think and process things.
Me: Maybe
Luc: Okay! Call or message me if you can’t sleep.
I set the phone down carefully, staring at the bubbles in the water. My chest aches, but a small smile creeps onto my lips, even as I fight it.
After my bath, I put on a pair of sweatpants, ready to head downstairs for dinner. As I step out, I find Sophie and Luna sitting in the living room area of my suite.
I’m hit with the smell of something delicious.
“Oh, hey, you’re done.” Luna looks up at me and grins.
“What’s all this?” I point toward the table.
Sophie pats the empty space between them. “Come sit.”
I raise an eyebrow, slowly walking and settling between them on the couch.
“We got shrimp, chicken, and steak tacos.” Luna gestures toward the tacos platter.
“And cheese stick,” Sophie adds.
“And oooh, rum raisin ice cream. We can’t forget about the ice cream.”
I blink, looking at the table filled with all my favorite things and my favorite people.
“Then we have Rebelde .” Luna grins at the TV.
“I’ve never watched it before.” Sophie tucks her legs underneath her. “But Luna says it’s great and it’s your favorite.”
Yes, this is one of my comfort shows.
I glance between them suspiciously. “Did Luc put you guys up to this?”
“What? no?” They scoff at the same time.
I narrow my eyes at them.
“Okay, he might have mentioned that he messed up a little, and asked us to keep you company while he’s not here.”
“But this was all Luna’s ideas.” Sophie smiles. “And we want to spend some time with you. I never had a sister before, and now I have two.”
“Thank you, guys, I really appreciate it.” I fight the sting behind my eyelids. I’ve been too emotional lately.
“Whatever happened, I’m sure you guys will figure it out. If not, I’m gonna kill him myself.” Sophie leans in.
Luna’s eyes go wide.
“Kidding, totally kidding about the killing part.” She raises her hands up.
They burst out laughing. I try to laugh along with them, but I can’t. Not when my heart feels like it’s been splintered into tiny pieces.
I reach for a taco as I settle on the couch.
Luna press plays on the TV, and the familiar theme song comes on. “Sí, soy Rebelde.”
Back when my sister was little and I used to stay up at night to watch her. We would binge watch it together. Well, mostly me. She was two and had no idea what was going on.
We manage to finish all the food, and Pamela somehow magically appears to clean everything up. Sophie and Luna have fallen asleep.
“Come on, girls, let’s get you guys to bed.” I push myself off the couch.
They barely stir as I drag them one by one to my bed. They mumble but don’t fight me as I tuck them in.
I step out of the bedroom area, sliding the door close behind me. My body flops onto the couch as I stare at the ceiling. I already know I’m not gonna fall asleep anytime soon. My mind is too loud, too full of him.