Chloe moved to the other end of the counter. Back in June when she’d agreed to that deal with Liam, she’d only been thinking about her own needs. She hadn’t considered that she would be deceiving her friends and neighbors. That they might feel betrayed by her dishonesty. What had she been thinking?
When Liam had approached her that day, she’d believed his proposal was the solution to both their problems. Now she was the town pariah. But at least she’d achieved her objective with the role of Ledger.
Liam, however... His fans weren’t happy and she feared his career was on the verge of collapse.
When her drink came up, she grabbed the cup and slipped from the shop. She needed to see a friendly face, so she drove to Sean’s apartment, hoping to catch him at home. He lived in the top of a newfour-unit building near the marina that had two things going for it: an ocean view and a cook’s kitchen.
When she pulled in the lot, she saw his car was there so she took the stairs and knocked.
A moment later he swung the door open. “Hey. What’s up?” He glanced down at her cup. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Sorry. This was an impromptu visit but you’re welcome to it.”
“Think I’ll pass on the double-chocolate mocha.” He stepped aside to let her in. “I’m just glad you’re finally braving the public. Very courageous of you.”
“It wasn’t fun.” The cool air felt good as she stepped into his cluttered living room. A pair of socks lay balled up in the corner, and at least three days of newspapers were scattered over the coffee table. Stacks of pots and pans filled the sink. Since he always kept his kitchen spotless, that meant only one thing. “You’ve been cooking.”
“I’m making truffles. Want a sample?”
“Do seagulls poop on picnic tables?” She headed into the kitchen. The chocolates looked divine.
“They’re not quite—”
She snatched one and plopped it into her mouth.
“—dry yet.”
The texture was silky smooth and the dark chocolate and tart raspberry flavors burst on her tongue. “Mmm.” She swallowed it and grabbed two more pieces. She could eat about a dozen of these. Why couldn’t she be one of those people who starved themselves when they were stressed instead of eating everything in sight?
“I said asample. And that’s gourmet chocolate you’re scarfing down.”
“I’m drowning my sorrows.”
Sean took the pan away. “Maybe I could offer you some M&M’s instead.”
“Sorry. They are delicious. Are you thinking of offering them at the restaurant?”
“No, I made them for Meghan.”
“She’ll love them. She adores chocolate almost as much as I do.” Chloe finished the second piece and popped the third in her mouth, letting this one melt on her tongue. According to Meghan, she and Sean were giving their relationship a chance. Chloe hadn’t gotten her brother’s take on things since she’d interrupted that kiss a few days ago. But she could hardly miss his wistful smiles and head-in-the-clouds distraction at work.
“How’s that going anyway—you and Meghan?”
“As if you don’t already know. We’re taking things one day at a time.” Though his response was tempered with caution, the smile curling his lips was not.
She licked the melted chocolate from her fingers. “I have to admit you seem pretty happy lately.”
“Well, I’ve never felt like this before.”
Her heart warmed at his honesty. “I’m pulling for you guys. Meghan’s a wonderful person.” Chloe took in the joy that lit his eyes and the goofy expression on his face. She knew just how he felt. She’d been feeling that way herself less than two weeks ago. And then the bottom had fallen out.
She shook away the negative thought. “I’m truly happy for you both.”
“Thanks.” He handed her a water bottle and she followed him into the living room, where they sat on opposite ends of the sofa. “So things were pretty rough at the coffee shop, huh?”
“The baristas gave me the cold shoulder. And I’m positive Joy Geiger and Wanietta Stuckey saw me and just pretended not to. I’m afraid to get online. I don’t want to see what people are saying about me...” Not to mention how many followers she’d probably lost.
“Yeah... don’t do that.”
