‘Okay. Well, have a good holiday. It’s good to see you. A mind-fuck, but a cool one,’ I say, stepping aside so she can get to the reception desk.
I nod to the receptionist, who hands me back my passport and a room key, and I turn to leave.
‘Yeah, fucked up, but good to see you too,’ Chloe says, giving me a tight smile, then turning away to check in at the desk.
I feel well and truly dismissed.
Which is fine by me. I just want to get to my room and chill for a while now anyway.
A porter appears as if by magic and gives me a polite bow before picking up my case and leading me away from the desk and towards the apartment where I’m going to be staying. It’s one of five exclusive residences dotted along the riverbank and is nestled amongst the lush greenery of the hotel’s extensive grounds. They have both tennis and paddle courts at the far end as well as a whole separate building housing a spa where they offer the most cutting-edge treatments available.
The rich and famous often book in here specifically to use the world-class facilities and re-energise after a heavy work stint.
Tiredness swamps me and I let out a big yawn as I follow him through a beautifully curated Japanese-style garden, with its waterfall running gently into a pond full of koi fish.
Perhaps a power nap will sort me out. Reset my body-clock. Then I’ll be ready to get into my holiday.
I glance back towards the main building of the hotel.
I wonder if that’s the last I’ll see of Chloe Dasher?
2
CHLOE
Jeez, that was awkward.
Of all the times to bump into Kit!
If you’d asked me to guess when I’d have been most likely to see him again, my honeymoon-for-one in Japan wouldnothave featured on the list.
I actually feel a bit shaky from the shock of seeing him again.
How bizarre that he’s here after his own failed wedding too.
As I’d stared into his handsome, spine-tinglingly familiar face, after he’d asked me what I was doing here, I’d felt a strong urge to make something up about being on a scouting mission for my job or something, but at the very last second I decidedwhat’s the point?I’d only have to keep up the ruse all week during the numerous times I’m bound to bump into him, since we’re both staying here.
I’m way too stressed already to put up with that kind of bullshit.
And I’ve never been the type to mince my words, as my friends and my ex will tell you.
As Kit will tell you too.
My skin heats as I remember the hot sex we used to have all those years ago. Unfortunately, it had become obvious pretty quickly that there was no future for us as a couple – he had no interest in getting into anything serious, which I’d wanted from a relationship at the time – so it had been better for us to finish things and move on.
He’d not seemed too cut up about it, but I’d had a few moments of regret right after we’d split when I wondered whether I’d done the right thing.
But then I got together with Adrian and barely saw Kit around after that, and he’d mostly faded into the background of my life.
I’m sure he wasn’t on his own for long either. He was always really popular.
And even if getting married didn’t work out for him this time, I’m sure there will be plenty of gorgeous, willing women to take his ex’s place the moment he’s ready for them to sashay up to him.
Because he’s a sexy guy.
And he can be funny.
And he’s incredible in bed.
