“So, you ready?”
I whipped my head around. “For what?”
Sam studied me, looking confused. “Moving in? You’ve been looking forward to this, haven’t you?”
“Oh. Yeah. Sure. Let’s do it.”
Sam drove me back to the B&B. I half dreaded, half hoped to find Monty there, but the breakfast room was empty. Sam waited downstairs as I went to collect my stuff. It took barely five minutes to repack my clothes and scoop up the toiletries. I threw the backpack over my shoulder and schlepped my suitcase down to the breakfast room. I set it by the stairs.
Parched, I filled a glass of water. Where was Monty? I should at least call him.
Sam closed his laptop and stood. “Done?”
It seemed I couldn’t prolong it anymore. “Sure.”
The door opened, and Monty walked in. I saw the moment his gaze landed on my packed suitcase on the floor. Then he glanced at me, his eyes wide and mouth parted.
He looked stunned.
“Hello, Mr. Wolf,” Sam said cheerfully, oblivious.
Monty jerked, as if only then realizing Sam was there. “Oh. Hi.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Wolf. The bathroom at Laurel’s chalet is fully functional, and the tile work is stunning. Your father has been a godsend. Anyway, Laurel has already vacatedthe upstairs suite. The accommodation is paid until the end of the week, and we won’t ask for a refund. Laurel tells me he was most satisfied with your services.”
A little pale, Monty gazed at me unblinking as if he didn’t believe what was happening. “Uh-huh. I’m glad to hear that,” he mumbled.
Meanwhile, Sam grabbed the handle and began rolling my suitcase to the exit.
“Don’t hesitate to send any additional costs my way.”
“The minibar was included,” Monty said. “There are no extra charges.”
“That’s generous of you.” This time, Sam noticed something was off. He paused by the thin wall separating the breakfast room from the short hallway, frowning at Monty. He was about to say something else, but I jumped in.
“Sam, can you wait in the car? I think I forgot something upstairs.”
“Oh? I can run up…”
“No. I’ll do it. Please, wait for me.”
Eyeing me in confusion, Sam shrugged into his coat and grabbed my suitcase again. He walked out and closed the door.
Monty’s chest expanded, and he blew out a long sigh.
“This is it, huh?” he said, sounding strangled.
I shifted from foot to foot. Suddenly, my empty chalet seemed a little less enticing. “We’re going to see each other all the time, right? Beauville is not exactly huge.”
His smile looked so forced it broke my heart. “When are you going back to the city?”
“Not in the next three weeks.”
I told myself it would be a long time. It felt like a long time now. Twenty days, give or take. Maybe I could stay longer? I wouldn’t enjoy Ulrich’s reaction to that idea.
Monty nodded. “Then we’ll see you.”
Fuck.Jordy wasn’t even here.
