36. Chapter 36
thirty-six
I t felt natural, despite knowing each other for such a short time, coming home together, sharing good food, sipping fine wine, and making love. It all felt…acceptable—something Monroe never would have thought she was capable of, not if her past relationships were any indication.Top of Form
Monroe traced the rim of her wine glass, watching the deep red liquid swirl slowly.
The silence between them was easy, comfortable—no need to rush, no pressure to explain.
Chloé sat close enough their knees brushed, and Monroe leant in, drawn by the warmth and the faint scent of jasmine on Chloé’s skin.
“I never thought it could feel like this,” Monroe admitted softly. “Like something I could actually hold onto.”
Chloé smiled gently, reaching out to tuck that stray lock of hair behind Monroe’s ear.
“I can see that,” she said. “And I want that too.” Chloé’s smile softened, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes.
“It’s all happening so fast,” she said quietly, “but, if I’m honest… I think I knew from the minute we met.”
Monroe looked up, surprised. “You did?”
Chloé nodded, her fingers brushing lightly over Monroe’s hand. “There was something…different. Something that didn’t feel like the usual. I’ve been cautious before, but with you, it just felt…right.”
Monroe’s heart fluttered, a mix of relief and hope. “Me too,” she whispered. “I wasn’t expecting it. But I don’t want to run from it.”
Chloé’s gaze held hers, steady and sure. “Then let’s not.”
Monroe hesitated, her smile fading just a little. “I want this, Chloé. But…the distance. I can’t stop thinking about it.” She sighed, slowly swirling the wine. “Eventually, it might become too much. I don’t want to get caught up in something that can never be.”
Chloé’s thumb brushed soothing circles over Monroe’s hand. “I get that. It’s a risk, no question. But I don’t want us to let fear decide what happens before it even begins.”
Monroe looked down, biting her lip. “What if one day the miles feel bigger than the moments we share?”
Chloé’s voice was soft but certain. “Then we talk. We figure it out. Together. Because what I feel for you…it’s worth the effort.”
Monroe met her eyes again, the worry still there, but softened by hope. “I want to believe that.”
Chloé smiled, leaning closer. “We’ll take it one day at a time. No pressure, no promises, just us figuring out what this could be.”
Monroe’s breath hitched, a fragile kind of peace settling between them. “One day at a time,” she echoed.
Chloé nodded. “One day at a time is all any of us have.”
“I guess that’s true.” Monroe’s mouth curved upwards. “So, we should probably make the most of it, right?”
Catching on, Chloé grinned. “We definitely should.”
“Good, because… j’ai besoin de te go?ter ,” Monroe said, doing her best with the French.
“Ah, c’est bien ,” Chloé laughed. “I’m never going to say no to that.”
They leant in slowly, the space between them shrinking with every heartbeat. Monroe’s fingers brushed a stray curl from Chloé’s face, lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
Chloé’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “You want me here, or upstairs?”
Monroe smirked, her voice low and playful. “I really don’t care.”
Their lips finally met. Soft at first, then deepening with delicious urgency, every touch promising more to come.
They broke apart just enough to catch their breath, foreheads resting together.
Chloé’s smile was slow, teasing. “Upstairs then. But don’t think I’m going to beg.”
Monroe chuckled, a spark lighting in her eyes. “Oh, I think you might.”