Page 31 of You Had Me at Chateau
‘The other ladies, they like their flirty jokes,’ he says. ‘And you, Amber, do you always barge into strangers’ private bathrooms, or am I just lucky?’
I laugh, trying to play along.
‘Oh, only when the strangers are as charming as you,’ I tell him. ‘We romance writers are flirty, but incredibly fussy.’
He grins, leaning casually against the door frame.
‘Ah, so I am special?’ he replies. ‘Good to know.’
‘But, yeah, you might want to lock your door next time,’ I say, feeling my cheeks heat up. ‘You never know who might walk in. I’m very understanding but the others, well, who knows how they would react?’
Henri shrugs, his dimples deepening.
‘Maybe I like to live dangerously,’ he tells me. ‘It keeps life interesting when you don’t lock the door.’
Is it hot in this bathroom, or is it me? Or is it Henri because, oh my God, he’s so unrealistically charming?
‘Well, I definitely didn’t expect to find you here,’ I tell him. ‘But you don’t seem dangerous.’
‘Nor did I expect to find a beautiful woman in my bathroom,’ he replies smoothly. ‘But, I don’t know, maybe you do seem like trouble.’
I bite my lip, trying to suppress a giggle. I need to change the subject, ASAP – basically quit while I’m ahead.
‘So, you’re the caretaker here? What does that entail?’ I ask.
I let my arms go loose, to try to look less awkward, styling out standing here in my bra. Well, he certainly doesn’t look uncomfortable, chilling in his towel.
‘A bit of everything, really,’ he replies. ‘Maintenance, guest services, ensuring beautiful women find the bathroom…’
Oh, he’s not giving up, is he?
I laugh again, shaking my head.
‘You must have a lot of stories,’ I reply.
‘Oh, many,’ he tells me. ‘Perhaps a writer like yourself would appreciate hearing them.’
‘So long as they’re romantic,’ I reply.
I’m not quite sure if I’m flirting or just desperate for inspiration. With Jen wanting me to writer spicier scenes, I can imagine Henri’s stories being more than inspiring, if they’re that kind of story.
‘So, you’re an expert in matters of the heart?’ he asks curiously.
‘I wouldn’t say expert,’ I laugh. ‘But I do enjoy a good love story.’
‘And are you living one?’ he asks, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.
I blink, caught off guard by the question. Is he asking if I’m single?
‘Well, no, not exactly,’ I confess. ‘Not right now. I’m focusing on my book so, if I’m getting intimate with anything, it’s that.’
Oh, I was doing so well, until just then. I was cool, flirty, and kind of mysterious. Now I sound like I, what, shag my own book? That’s probably the least awkward explanation.
‘So, no leading man in your life?’ he teases.
‘Not at the moment,’ I say, feeling a bit self-conscious.
‘Pity,’ he says softly. ‘A beautiful woman like you deserves a grand romance.’
