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)
“Ah. You’ve seen Taken,” he comments.
“Yes. Multiple times.”
He nods solemnly. “Then you are well-prepared.”
I glare at him, deeply unamused.
The stranger chuckles, stepping back from the car and putting some distance between us.
“Take my car, ma belle.” He gestures towards it with a lazy flick of his wrist. “I’ve already been waiting half the morning anyway. I can wait a little longer until he returns.”
It’s impossible not to roll my eyes at his ridiculousness.
“You know, your English is good, but you really need to work on your pronouns. It’s not your car - it’s mine.”
He laughs again, clearly enjoying this way too much.
I don’t bother responding. Instead, I climb into the backseat, close the door on the handsome but infuriating stranger, give the driver the hotel address and pull out my phone to immediately start texting the group chat.
Me: Made it!
Airport was a nightmare - people were literally one step away from full-blown cage fighting over taxis. Finally in a car though - location is on x
Emma reacts immediately with a love heart, while Jas sends a string of laughing emojis.
Leah: Welcome to Monaco, babe.
The sun is shining, and the streets are paved with beautiful men. Hope you’re ready.
I refuse to look up as the taxi pulls away.
Mostly because I just know that if I do, he’ll still be there - and no doubt he’ll still have that stupid, infuriating smirk on his face.
And I am not about to give him the satisfaction of one last glance.
Instead, I turn towards the opposite window, watching as the blue skies of Nice open up before me.
I exhale slowly, trying to shake the lingering awareness of the fact that men as handsome as he was don’t just appear in my space every day.
Or maybe Leah’s onto something. Maybe this is just what they all look like around here.
Maybe Monaco is some kind of alternate reality where gorgeous, aggravating men roam the streets like pigeons in Trafalgar Square.
A ridiculous thought, but not an entirely unwelcome one.
Forget London, though. I’m here, and I’m more than ready to enjoy the sun - and the single life.
Chapter Five
Poppy
The drive from Nice to Monaco is extraordinary - in the best way possible.
The road twists along the cliffs, revealing breathtaking views of the Mediterranean below, and the towns we pass look like they’ve been pulled straight from a vintage postcard. Pastel-colored buildings cling to the rocks as if they grew there naturally, and every few miles, I spot yet another picturesque little café where I could easily waste hours pretending to be effortlessly chic.
I exhale, forcing myself to absorb it all.
New chapter. Fresh start. And no more Noah.
This is good. Perfect, even.
Everything is working out as it should.
* * *
The moment I step into the hotel lobby, I know I’m in a different world.
Everything is marble, the chandeliers look like they were personally commissioned by a nineteenth-century royal, and the air smells like money - probably because it’s filtered through a ventilation system that only lets in the scent of success.
Before I can really process the sheer ridiculousness of it all, I hear a shriek.
Scratch that - it’s more of a full-blown scream.
"Poppy!"
I barely have time to brace myself before I’m tackled by three very excited young women.
Emma, Jas, and Leah practically launch themselves at me in the middle of the lobby, wrapping me in a giggling, perfume-scented hug.
"You’re here!" Emma beams, shaking me by the shoulders like she’s making sure I’m real.
"Finally!" Leah adds. "I swear, this took way more convincing than it should have."
Jas smirks. "But we got you here in the end. And now, you’re officially free from the clutches of romance’s most unhinged ambassador."
I snort. "What can I say - knowing Noah, he’ll be composing a tragic breakup ballad as we speak."
Emma steps back, giving me a slow once-over.
"At least you look hot for someone who just broke up with a man who genuinely thought singing in public was a romantic gesture."
"Yeah - turns out heartbreak and exhaustion really bring out my cheekbones," I deadpan.
They howl with laughter, and for the first time in days - no, weeks - I feel light.
* * *
Upstairs, the suite is exactly what I expected given that it was booked by Emma’s father.
Outrageous.
The balcony overlooks the marina, where superyachts are lined up like it’s the most normal, natural thing in the world. The water is a criminally gorgeous shade of blue, and the buildings have that perfect old-world charm, all white stone and pale pink facades.
"This is insane," I mutter, stepping out onto the balcony.
Leah flops onto one of the beds, sighing dramatically.
"I know. I feel like I should start a new life here. Maybe seduce a billionaire. Become someone’s mysterious second wife."
I arch a brow. "Second?"
She shrugs. "First wives have to deal with the prenup."
Emma cackles and throws herself onto the other bed.