Page 13 of Chloé

“Maybe one day, you’ll take us.”

Zayne and Chloé both turned in Ethan’s direction, and he shrugged.

“What?”

Chloé scoffed and reached for her drink. “Were you or were you not the man who told me you never want to hear me sing again?”

Ethan took a bite of his food, refusing to go down that particular path.

“Uh huh, see? I don’t forget these things,” Chloé pointed out.

“Neither do I. But I was thinking more of the dancing in the aisle than the singing.”

Chloé’s eyes widened, her jaw hitting the floor, as Zayne shook his head.

“Just stop while you can, man.”

Ethan looked between the two of them, decided to take the advice to heart, and instead got stuck into his meal. All three of them devoured their food in no time at all. Chloé and Zayne had worked up an appetite from moving everything, and Ethan had skipped lunch. So it was no surprise there was little talk as they chowed down on the greasy goodness.

Zayne was the first to finish, slumping back in his seat and rubbing a hand over his belly—flat as it still was.

“I’m stuffed.” He blew his cheeks out, and Chloé started laughing.

“Two burgers plus your fries and half of mine? No wonder.”

“Hey, I’m a growing boy, what’d you expect?” He eyed Ethan’s half-eaten fries.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“I’m not… I told you, I’m full.”

“Yes, well, you forget I know you very well, and your eyes are always bigger than your stomach.”

Ethan finished off his food and, once he was done, started to put the trash back into the bags.

“So…” He looked over at Chloé, who had curled her feet up under her on the chair. “How are you feeling on your first night in your new place?”

“I feel great.” She let out a sigh and looked out at all the buildings surrounding them. “A little bit like I’m in a fishbowl, but…I kind of like it. Is that weird?”

“No.” Ethan sat back and propped his ankle up on his knee. “I think it’s perfectly normal for someone like yourself.”

“Someone like myself? What do you mean?”

“You like to people-watch—and you likepeoplewatching you.”

Chloé opened her mouth as though to deny his observation, but at the last second stopped herself. Instead, she flashed a cheeky grin his way.

“Okay, and what’s that say about me?”

“It says you’re absolutely perfect, Red.”

Her eyes flicked to Zayne’s. “Weirdo and all?”

“Exhibitionistand all,” Ethan corrected her. “And Zayne’s right, you’re perfect. In fact, you’ve been a little too far away from me all day.” He patted his knee. “Why don’t you come over here? I missed you.”

Chloé got to her feet and walked over to him.

“That’s better.” He took her hand and interlaced their fingers. “Did you see all your boxes were moved upstairs?”

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