You're the One: a Contemporary Romance Novella Set in Paris (Bistro La Bohème) by Alix Nichols

Author:Alix Nichols [Nichols, Alix]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

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ELEVEN

Natalie ended up staying at Marie’s most of the next day, in too much of a mess to go to work. She called in sick, did some staring into the wall, a bit of crying, and a lot of thinking about her bleak future. In the evening, she went home, took a sleeping pill, and spent the night in a deep dreamless slumber. Which was exactly what she needed.

The next day, she got to La Bohème a little before six, determined to confront the waitress and later, Fred. The wig and the sunglasses were gone—she was done with her little game. She ordered a hot chocolate and looked around. The blue-haired waitress was nowhere in sight.

“I like your new hair,” a familiar voice said.

She looked over and saw Adrien standing by her table, still in his rain jacket. He must have just walked in.

“Thanks,” she said.

“It’s lighter and . . .longer.” He gave her a puzzled look.

“Coiffeurs can do the most extraordinary things to your hair these days. You should try it.”

What was it about this guy that lightened her mood no matter how low she’d been feeling?

“Um . . .” His mouth twitched upward. “I’ll take your word for it.”

He looked at her for a few seconds, shifting from one foot to the other, and went to sit at the table next to hers. Natalie couldn’t stifle a small sigh of relief. This wasn’t too bad. They could chat like two people who found themselves next to each other by accident while she waited for the waitress. Once she spotted her, she’d excuse herself and ask to talk to the woman in private.

“I didn’t see you here yesterday,” he said.

She was glad he hadn’t brought up the evening at Luke’s. “I was wearing my invisibility cloak.”

“Of course. I should’ve guessed. Do you wear it often?”

She smirked. “These days, yes. But I didn’t even own one until last Wednesday.”

“What happened last Wednesday to make you pay a fortune for an invisibility cloak?”

“I got a cheap one,” she said. “Counterfeit. I was told it may malfunction at any time. So don’t be surprised if I materialize out of thin air while you’re happily picking your nose.”

Adrien gave a chortle. “I do no such thing. Not even when I’m playing against Fritz.”

“Who’s Fritz and why are you implying he deserves to watch you pick your nose?”

“Fritz is the chess program I’ve been using lately. He’s devious.”

“How does it work in professional chess? Is it your only occupation, or do you have to moonlight as Père Noël at Christmas?” she asked.

“I have no need for moonlighting. In chess, you can make a living when your rating is high enough. Which happens to be my case.”

Natalie detected a note of pride in his voice. It was kind of sweet. The whole of him was kind of sweet, actually. Once your eyes adjusted to the color clashes on his sweater, you noticed his intelligent eyes, his clean jawline, and his kissable lips.

She swiftly looked away from his mouth.

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