Chasing Heartbreak by Kat T. Masen
KATE
Sleep can do wondrous things when you manage to get some.
All four of us are in much better spirits the next morning, enjoying our breakfast before our trip back to Paris. The Auvray’s head chef, Archille, spoiled us with homemade pastries and a spread of delicious breakfast foods, all of which tasted amazing. Even Lex is impressed, questioning Archille on where he saw himself in the future. I can almost see the wheels turning in Lex’s head. He has an eye for talent and knows exactly when to strike.
The plan is to take Monday off to spend time with Charlie while Lex attends some meetings. I should’ve known better. No matter how hard I try to prepare to take some time off, work always finds me. My phone pings like crazy, email after email, and calls from people who panicked while I was absent.
My assistant, Emile, reassures me everything is being handled. She reminds me of my young self, which is why I hired her when I moved to Paris. Upon offering her the position, a generous salary came with it in hopes of keeping her for the long haul. Even Lex is impressed by how efficient she is. When Lex offers such a compliment, you take it with pride.
I’ve rather been enjoying the company, but with my eyes glued to the screen, the urgent emails need attention. My thumbs type quickly to answer what I can until a text pops up on the top of my screen.
Dominic:Tonight, please. Our usual. We need to talk.
My eyes read over his words as if they will change by the sheer power of my thoughts. I opt not to respond, lifting my head with a forced smile and ignoring the pressure from his request. Noah is watching me with a curious gaze behind his coffee cup, his beard somewhat of a novelty to me. With the rest we all deserved, he appears more like the man I remember him to be—handsome and sexy with an arrogance only he can get away with. And behind all that is the best friend who would make me laugh, stroke my hair, and tell me everything would be just fine. He argued with me over the most trivial things, but that’s what bonded us in the end.
“You’re looking at me oddly,” he claims, grabbing another pastry. “If you’re going to argue the beard, I’ll have you know it’s a lady magnet.”
“A lady magnet?” I purse my lips to hold back my smile. “Because you need more ladies in your life?”
“Hmm… you have a strong point.”
“You’re still as dashing as ever, Noah Mason,” I tell him with a twinkle in my eye while reacting to his sardonic grin. “And arrogant, painful… the list can go on.”
“It’s okay. I think you’ve made yourself perfectly clear. You think I’m an arrogantly handsome man who you want to have sex with, right?”
I throw a piece of pastry at him. “You’re impossibly annoying.”
“Listen here.” Charlie breaks us up, wiping her mouth with the fancy napkin. “Before the two of you consummate on this table, can we talk about the rest of today? Kate and I are shopping in Paris this afternoon. What are your plans, Noah?”
“He’s busy with me,” Lex interjects, his expression blank and unreadable. “We have something we need to look at.”
“Chatte Française…” Charlie mumbles beneath her breath.
Lex presses his lips together and puts down his coffee to turn to Charlie. “No, it’s not French pussy. There are a few people I’d like Noah to meet as well. A potential opportunity for us back in the States.”
I bow my head to hold back my comments. Lex sure has the patience for Charlie, though I wouldn’t put it past them to stumble into a Parisian strip joint, especially since Noah is now single.
On our ride back to Paris, we talk about business, the beautiful scenery, to Eric’s nagging messages about all the gossip from the ball. Charlie briefly mentions seeing Dominic, and Eric proceeds to complain and call him a moron for not attending his parents’ anniversary dinner. Translated, Eric is jealous that he didn’t think to try to get out of it and complains it was a bunch of his parents’ old friends.
As the city’s familiar sights come to full view, Charlie talks about shopping again as Lex rolls his eyes in boredom. He casually mentions that work may take a bit longer than expected. Surprisingly, Charlie negotiates her shopping time in line with his work time, then a late stroll around Paris, followed by dinner. I was torn somewhere in the middle, wanting to join Lex in the office and spend time with Charlie. Until Noah brought up spending the night together which I agreed to since it’s his last night in town.
I decide to head into the office with Lex for two hours before joining Charlie for a late lunch and shopping, then dinner with Noah. That way, everyone will be happy.
The two hours fly by quickly, and as usual, the staff panics in Lex’s presence. I have no idea why, he’s much nicer to people than BC—Before Charlie.
With that behind me, I race to meet Charlie at the Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, known for housing old Parisian department stores and selling top designer collections for men and women, gourmet food shopping, home design, jewelry, and so many other things.
Charlie is in heaven, dragging me to each store and boutique, where she enjoys browsing and picking up a few pieces. When we enter La Perla, I’m no stranger to the sexy lingerie on display, having purchased a few items from here.
“Would you look at this?” Charlie picks up a strappy piece of string supposed to be a one piece of some sort. “You could really floss your bits with a piece like this.”
We both laugh in unison. I pick up a bustier, admiring the intricate lace and beading.
“So, we didn’t get a chance to discuss Dominic and his wife.” Charlie watches me with curiosity.
I purposely distract myself by sorting through the rack, looking for my size. “What’s there to discuss? I was just as surprised to see him there as you were.”
“You’re telling me you still don’t talk to him?” Her tone is unforgiving, and her perfectly straight posture standing beside me is supposed to intimidate me. I know her tactics well. “You know, you’re a terrible liar.”
“Charlie,” I say, willing to come up with a lie, but the guilt begins to wreck me. “It’s not what you think.”
Charlie’s eyes widen with concern. “Not what I think? I think the two of you have something on the side. I think Dominic seeing you with Noah sparked some jealousy in him. I also think… sorry, I also know, Noah can’t stand the guy.”
How on earth does she come up with all that? Remember, she’s a lawyer and excellent at reading people. There’s a psychology to being so intuitive and making a career from it.
“I don’t want to discuss this.”
“Of course, you don’t. Dominic is probably in panic mode, trying to get you to continue being his mistress. And you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared, okay?” I sputter in defense. “We agreed to one simple rule, and he wants to break it. Charlie, I’m not like you. I don’t want the whole family and babies. I’m happy with my life the way it is. Yes, I enjoy sex with no attachments, and sure, it would be nice to have a companion. But I’m not interested in complicated relationships. If a man wants to be with me, and I want to be with him without all the drama, then great.”
“It’s not always that easy.” Charlie disagrees while shaking her head. “Sometimes, with love, you’ve got to go through the heartbreak to have your happily ever after.”
“I have gone through heartbreak,” I remind her. “Multiple times. And I’d rather not set myself up for that again.”
“When the right guy comes along, it may be unavoidable. It’ll consume you like a spell, no matter how hard you try to escape. There’s no way out. Kismet. Soulmates.”
“You’re such a hopeless romantic.” I laugh, eyeing the outfit in her hand. “Yet at the same time, a kinky whore. Are you buying the flosser because I’m hungry and need something to eat?”
“Yeah, I’ll buy the flosser. Lex will be in for a real treat tonight.” Charlie chuckles softly then quiets down, placing her hand on my arm gently. “But seriously, Kate, I’m worried about you. You’re all alone here. Paris is beautiful but wouldn’t it be more amazing with someone who you could spend the rest of your life with?”
“Charlie, I’m happy with my life. Yeah, it’s nice to have you guys around, but I’m always busy. It’s not like I’m alone every day.”
“It’s nice to have Noah around?” She raises her brows, waiting for me to respond.
“It’s been a while. Noah has a lot on his mind.”
“So, he told you?”
“He told me everything.”
“And?”
“And what?”
Charlie lets out a sigh. “What do you make of it all?”
I think long and hard about her question. While the news comes as a shock, the predicament he now finds himself in is more of a concern.
“I guess, if I’m honest, he needs to man-up and be responsible. He made a mistake, and now he needs to live with that decision.”
“But don’t you feel sorry for him? I mean, the poor guy can’t catch a break. I have my feelings about Morgan, but who am I to give my opinion on his marriage? It just had cracks well before the ‘I do.’ I always thought that he and you…” Charlie trails off.
I stop and turn her way. “Him and me what? Should’ve been together?”
Charlie simply nods.
“You know my stance on that. We may have been best friends, but we’re two completely different people. If we were meant to be, that would’ve happened four years ago. It didn’t, so there’s your answer.”
“You’re just like Lex in so many ways,” Charlie openly complains. “It’s not so black and white when it comes to relationships. I just think you and Noah have always had this special bond.”
“And I think this matter should be closed,” I tell her forcefully. “Noah has his hands full with his daughter and son. I’m sure, and much like me, he doesn’t have time for anything else. Now, let’s go to lunch because I’m starving.”
Shopping with Charlie is utterly exhausting. Her excitement stems from being child-free and not wanting to waste a single moment. After our trip to La Perla, we make our way back to the hotel and find Noah in the lobby.
“Nice dent in the credit card?”
“We’re in Paris, Noah. It’s a given,” Charlie informs him. “I’m going upstairs to change for dinner, but I’ll see you for breakfast before we fly out?”
I nod, shifting my gaze back to Noah, who’s staring at the La Perla bag.
“What’s in the bag?”
“A croissant,” I lie, jokingly.
“A croissant? I mean, look, I know you were excited to see me, but I had no clue you were dressing up.”
“You’re annoying, and I’m tired. Mind if we head to my place so I can change?”
“Into your croissant?”
“I think I remember why I stopped hanging out with you…”
Ten minutes later, we’re inside my apartment. Noah is busily scanning the living room, admiring the place with an impressive nod as he walks through.
“Some place you’ve got,” Noah compliments before moving toward the balcony. “I can understand why you don’t want to leave. It’s incredibly beautiful here and some view, huh?”
“It is…” I say, removing my wedges.
I tell him I’ll be back, hopping into the shower quickly, then changing into my white sundress. With my hair loose, just sitting past my shoulders, and changing my wedges for my strappy tanned heels, I grab another purse before entering the living room.
“Beautiful,” he breathes as the corner of his lips turn up. “As always.”
“You’re sucking up to me. Did you break a vase while out here?”
“Let’s go.” He chuckles. “Show me Paris at night.”
We walk the streets and watch the city evolve into nightlife. Stopping at a quaint restaurant, we talk about life and work. It’s not hard to see that Noah loves his kids, showing me pictures of Jessa and talking about her milestones. Since Nash is only a few weeks old, he doesn’t have as much to say about him.
“Being a father suits you,” I profess to him, fondly. “I can tell you adore them.”
“They’re every reason to be alive,” he claims, staring at his phone. “It’s really hard, you know, being apart from Jessa and this co-parenting business. Morgan can be quite difficult. As for Nash, it still feels new. I don’t feel like I’ve quite bonded with him just yet.”
“Jessa looks exactly like you.” I smile, noting the similarities. “Has your eyes.”
“I think she looks like her mother.”
“Noah.” I rest my hand on his, trying to understand again how this all went pear-shaped on him, but my phone vibrates, and the name Dominic appears on my screen. I should open it, but the second that I do, I know that my focus will shift to a man who doesn’t deserve my attention right now.
“You want to answer that?” Noah retracts his hand, motioning for my phone.
“No,” I tell him firmly. “I’m here with you.”
Noah looks less than amused, unable to make eye contact with me. I don’t bother to ask him his problem when I know he can read between the lines.
We finish our dinner, then walk the streets to the Eiffel Tower. Tourists surround us, admiring the light show with endless pictures to save the memories of visiting Paris.
After not talking for almost ten minutes, Noah turns to face me. “I’m sorry, Kate. For how I ended things between us. I don’t know why I felt I had to choose between you and Morgan.”
“You were in love…” I murmur with my eyes fixed on the sight before us.
“Kate, it wasn’t just that.”
“Noah, please, let’s just enjoy this rather than dwell on the past. It’s done.”
We watch the rest of the show until a cool breeze causes me to shiver. I probably should’ve brought something to wear on top of my dress, not expecting the temperature to drop so drastically. Noah places his arms around my waist and pulls me into his side as if no time has passed between us.
“I missed you, and us, and more importantly, just being me,” he admits quietly. “I feel like I’ve lost so much of myself.”
I should push him away because with his arms around me, my feelings begin to shift to this unwanted place. Yes, it’s nice to have the comfort of a man, but that’s it.
He’s just a friend. Always remember that.
“This is nice,” I whisper, leaning my head on his shoulder until my phone begins to vibrate again. I pull it out of my pocket and see the same name pop up on my screen at the same time Noah purposely looks.
“Why don’t you answer him, Kate? Tell him it’s over.”
“Over?” I pull away, not liking Noah’s tone. “Dominic and I are nothing, so there’s nothing to be over.”
“C’mon, it’s me. If this friendship is to work, we need honesty.”
“Do you still love Morgan?” I blurt out as his arm falls beneath me. “If she stood in front of you right now and wanted to reconcile, would you take her back?”
“It’s not that simple,” he grits. “We’re beyond repair, okay? I made sure of that the night I fucked Olivia.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Do you still love Morgan?”
Noah doesn’t answer my question, his mood shifting immediately. “And if Dominic wants an exclusive relationship with you, would you say yes?”
“That’s the problem,” I mumble. “And if you want honesty, then here goes, I never wanted that from him. I learned to take the good and leave the bad.”
“So, you fuck him, and that’s it?” Noah grunts.
He makes it sound worse than it is. Or maybe, just maybe, it does appear that way. Yes, he satisfies me sexually, but Noah repeating the facts to me makes it sound ten times worse.
“Look, okay, we both got a lot going on. It’s great you came, but I’m not the same Kate you became friends with years ago.”
“You’re right,” Noah says, pulling away. “The Kate I loved would never have degraded herself to a man who offers her nothing but shame.”
Noah begins to walk away, leaving me to stand alone with his harsh words.
And a call from Dominic waiting to be answered.