Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 134961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 675(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 675(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
“Using the bathroom,” I say smoothly, grabbing the nearest drink off a passing tray and taking a very deliberate sip. “Relax.”
Emma squints at me. “For, like, an hour?”
Before I can respond, Leah arrives in a huff, draping herself dramatically over one of the plush chairs, her wine glass dangling from her fingers as she groans loud enough to turn heads.
“I am so over this evening.”
Emma, easily distracted, perks up immediately.
“What happened?”
“Yeah, you were - and I quote - living for this party earlier,” Jas says.
“Jacques happened,” Leah says bitterly, tossing her dark hair over one shoulder before taking a long sip of wine. “He got into some ridiculous argument with another guy about - I don’t even know what. Some business deal, or something. Either way, boring.”
“Wait, is Jacques okay?” Emma frowns.
Leah shrugs. “Who cares?”
“Trouble in paradise, then?” Jas smirks.
“We don’t talk about it,” Leah scowls.
And just like that, I’m off the hook.
For approximately ten more seconds.
“Anyway, Pops,” Leah says. “Where have you been? I saw you wander off earlier.”
“Wait. You saw her wander off?” Emma gasps.
She swings around to face me, her movements entirely too clumsy from the alarming amount of alcohol she’s consumed throughout the day.
“So she did disappear.”
Jas lifts a brow. “Interesting.”
“Not interesting,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Not anything.”
“So what did you disappear for, then?” Leah asks, leaning forward on her elbows.
“I told you -” I start, but Emma gasps again.
“Oh my god,” she breathes, clutching my arm like she’s uncovered some great truth. “Did you fall asleep somewhere?”
Jas blinks.
“Em, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Is it?” Emma frowns. “Because I did that once. I had too much to drink in Ibiza and woke up behind the DJ booth at Pacha.”
“That’s… deeply concerning.”
Leah clears her throat, redirecting the focus back to me.
“I don’t think Poppy took a disco nap, did you, babe?” Her smirk sharpens. “I think you ran into someone.”
The words land like a grenade, and Emma gasps again, clutching her chest this time.
Jas whistles, sitting back.
“That does sound more plausible.”
I exhale sharply, knowing there’s no getting out of this.
“Fine. I was with Frederic.”
Dead. Silence.
And then, Emma screeches.
Jas lets out a victorious whoop, while Leah just grins like the Cheshire Cat.
“Are you telling me,” Emma slurs, voice hushed with scandal, “that while we were here, drinking wine, you were banging an F1 driver?”
“Would you keep your voice down?!” I say as I slap a hand over her mouth.
She does not keep her voice down.
Instead, she squeals against my palm, her entire body vibrating with sheer glee.
“Oh, this is better than I could have ever imagined,” Leah says, taking a triumphant sip of wine.
Jas shakes her head in what I think is admiration.
“And here I thought you’d at least pretend to resist a little longer.”
I glare at all of them. “I did resist.”
“Clearly not hard enough,” Leah smirks.
“Fuck off.”
“Oh, we absolutely will not,” Jas grins. “We need details.”
Emma finally pulls my hand away from her mouth, blinking rapidly.
“Frederic Moreau?” she whispers - though her version of whispering is still far too loud for my liking. “The Frederic Moreau?”
“No, Em,” I say flatly. “A different Frederic Moreau. Also a French F1 driver, also on this yacht, also currently ruining my life.”
Jas barks a laugh.
“Oh my god,” Leah sighs, shaking her head in sheer disbelief. “I feel like a proud mother. My little Poppy is finally making questionable decisions.”
“It’s about time,” Emma adds.
I groan, rubbing my temples.
“I hate you all.”
“Don’t be daft. You love us,” Jas corrects, “and right now, we love this.”
“Wait. We’re so going out after this,” Emma beams. “And you have to invite him.”
I blink. “What?”
Leah tilts her head, considering it.
“Not a bad idea.”
Jas shrugs. “Yeah. I wouldn’t hate it.”
“No,” I say quickly. “Absolutely not.”
Emma pouts. “Oh, come on.”
“I’m not inviting him out with us,” I say firmly. “It was a one-time thing.”
Leah smirks into her wine glass, looking unconvinced, while Jas just shakes her head.
“Oh, babe. You can’t really think it’s over.”
I swallow hard, my stomach twisting.
Because I really want to say yes.
But deep down, I already know the answer.
* * *
The yacht glides into the harbor, the hum of the engines quieting as it pulls alongside the dock.
The towering cityscape of Monaco sparkles under the night sky, the deep blue sea reflecting the golden glow of the streetlights, but I barely take it in.
All I feel is relief.
Relief that we’re back, that I can finally get off this damn boat.
Relief that I can put some literal and metaphorical distance between me and the walking temptation currently ruining my life.
I fall into step with the girls, my body still wound far too tight as I move towards the exit. Around us, people are still caught up in the dizzying, champagne-fueled haze of the evening -
And then I see him.
Frederic is standing near the exit of the yacht, locked in conversation with a small group of men who he clearly can’t get away from. I don’t recognise them, but I don’t have to.