Page 63 of Sparks Fly
Rue grumbles. “Fuck it.” She throws her hands up but asks me to get it for her.
Laughter escapes me and happily I get her an oyster. Anaïs has already finished her second one and placed it shell side up as Rue tortures herself a little more as the time ticks on.
“Just try it. The worst that happens is that you spit it in your napkin.” She smirks at her friend and Rue crinkles her nose.
“I dunno if I can.”
“You definitely can.” She nods and reaches for her wine, washing it down.
Rue inhales heavily before eating the oyster and it’s clear from her face that she hated every second of it. But she didn’t spit it out. So, bonus and all that. I finish off the oysters and once we’re finished, the waiter brings our mains.
We talk mainly about Anaïs’ work and what she is hoping to do after she goes home but it seems she isn’t quite sure if she is returning.
I cover the bill, much to Anaïs’ disappointment, and we walk back towards Rue’s shop. I hover, debating whether I should turn back and head home, but Rue invites me down to see.
It feels a bit weird, hanging around with them both, but I like their company. It’s refreshing sometimes to step out of your comfort zone and hang with people you wouldn’t normally.
Then again, Rue kind of came as a bonus when I started spending more time with Anaïs.
Walking into her bookshop, it’s quaint. Tucked away from the main streets, but not tucked away enough that it wouldn’t get any footfall. By the way Rue has spoken about it, she does well out of it.
She lists mostly romance books, the odd tour guide of Monaco, and even has some of the F1 biographies of the drivers. Some of the books are English, some are French. Rue slumps behind her desk and begins checking through her emails.
“We will leave you be,” Anaïs says before she walks over and kisses her friend on the cheek goodbye. “Call you later.” She steps back as Rue says something to her.
I hover by the door and say my own goodbyes, my fingers locking around the door handle as I pull it open and wait for Anaïs to join me.
She thanks me as she passes and we’re back to walking in silence as we pace to the apartment. Tension seems to thicken when we’re alone and I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing.
“Thank you again for lunch.” Her voice is soft as it floats through me, my hands pushed into the pockets of my shorts.
“Never have to thank me, Ace.” I drop my head and count in my head. I’m unsure why, but it helps keep me calm because when I am around her and close to her, my heart drums a little faster, a little heavier… makes my head all dizzy.
Either that or I have heart issues that I need to get checked out.
“Hey.” I find myself grabbing her elbow and pulling her back as we approach the apartment, she’s slightly ahead of me.
Her eyes dart between mine.
“You know you don’t have to stay away from the races, you’re always welcome. I get if you don’t want to hang out with us at Saint Onyx, but you can go to Montcroix, they would have you in a heartbeat.”
She just smiles at me, blue eyes glistening like the sun on the ocean.
“I appreciate that, thank you,” she whispers.
Reluctantly, I let my fingers drop from her skin and watch as she walks away. I could follow, but I don’t.
I pull my phone out and call Colby, wanting to see if the paperwork for Cowan has come over and once, he confirms it has, I turn on my heel and walk towards the town.
I need out for a while.
Need to clear my head.
Need to just be alone.
Chapter Fourteen
Anaïs
