Chapter 36
36
Waking up in my bed, at the chateau, I think about how different things could have been, if I were waking up with Henri, in his cabin.
He was going to kiss me – he practically did – but why? Was it just to keep warm? To pass the time? Or… because he likes me? I don’t want to sound like a teenage girl but… does he like me? I mean obviously he likes me, or he wouldn’t be hanging out with me, but I mean likes -me-likes-me and, yep, I definitely sound like a teenage girl.
I certainly wouldn’t be waking up as comfortably, that’s for sure, because this bed is everything.
I think my best move today might be to give Henri a bit of space, and to absolutely avoid the ladies, just in case they noticed I was missing, because I’m not quite sure how I would explain that one.
I roll over and grab my phone from the bedside table, noticing several missed calls from Caleb. I feel a pang of guilt and quickly call him back.
‘Amber? Are you okay?’ Caleb’s voice is filled with concern as he answers the phone. ‘I was so worried when I didn’t hear from you last night.’
‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ I assure him, though my voice sounds unconvincing, even to my own ears. ‘I’m at the chateau – I slept in.’
‘I’m outside, in the front garden,’ he tells me. ‘I didn’t know what else do to, so I came looking for you. Is everything okay?’
He’s outside? Shit. What if someone sees him?
I jump out of bed and run to the window and, yep, sure enough, there he is, for everyone to see.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
‘I’ll tell you what, start walking back to the resort, and I’ll catch you up,’ I tell him.
‘I don’t mind waiting for you,’ he replies.
‘It’s okay because I need to throw some clothes on,’ I insist. ‘And obviously we don’t want anyone to see you.’
‘Oh, okay, good point. I’ll stroll around a bit and come back for you, it’s no trouble,’ he says. ‘It’s not like I have anything else to do.’
I laugh awkwardly.
‘Okay, see you soon,’ I tell him.
After we hang up, I watch him for a second. Go on, Caleb – and I say this in the nicest possible way – go away. Eventually he walks off and I spring into action.
I quickly get dressed, throwing on a pair of jeans and a warm sweater. I brush my hair, and do the quick version of my make-up – although, thankfully, I know there is plenty of make-up at Caleb’s chalet.
I grab my laptop, shoving it into my bag, and head out the door. The chateau is still quiet, so I’m relieved that I don’t see any sign of anyone as I dash out. I walk briskly, my breath forming clouds in front of my face, clouds that grow bigger as I get out of breath.
I glance back at the chateau, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension, as I realise that the coast is clear, and that I’m out of the woods – although, ironically, walking through them too.
Eventually I catch up with Caleb a short distance down the road. He’s waiting by a large pine tree, his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking a bit bewildered.
‘Hey,’ I say, all easy-breezy, as I approach him.
‘Hey,’ he replies, studying my face. ‘What’s going on? You seem… I don’t know. You seem off.’
‘Oh, no, I’m fine, honestly,’ I reassure him. ‘I just didn’t want anyone to see you.’
‘It’s okay, I’m safe here,’ he reassures me. ‘Everyone here wants privacy.’
I’m not sure Mandy, Bette or Gina would be so obliging.
‘Better safe than sorry, right?’ I reply.
‘You worry too much,’ he tells me. ‘Anyway, breakfast? I’m starving.’
‘That sounds great to me,’ I say with a smile.
Obviously I don’t want anyone in the chateau to see Caleb but, for some reason, I don’t want Caleb to see any of them either. I mean, I can’t imagine the ladies being kind about any of this, but the last thing I want is for Caleb to think that I set out to spend the night (or even part of it) in bed with Henri. Why? I’m not sure. This is all just business, after all.