CHAPTER 72

MELANIE.

“BUT WHY?” BLAINE WHINED LIKE A CHILD.

I forced myself to maintain my smile as I answered him for the seventh time.

“I have to, Blaine.”He was currently stretched out on the part of my bed that wasn't covered in clothes, holding one of my pillows to his chest with one arm and the other was flung across his face, concealing his eyes.

“No, you don't. I'm sure Jordan is bullying you into this so you think you have to, but you don't”, he said stubbornly.

I rolled my eyes, thankful he couldn't see me.

“It’s only for a few days. I'll be back before you know it”, I tried to placate him while stuffing more clothes into my travelling bag. Thanks to my wardrobe allowance, I had way more than I used to.

I winced as I realized this was the second time I would promise Blaine I'd be back when I wasn't too certain about it. For all I knew, the authorities could actually come looking for me here and I'd need to go under again. This could very well be the last time I saw him, or Lauren or this place. I sighed and shook my head.

I'd gotten so used to the idea of stability over the past few months, but who was I kidding? I was a con artist and a swindler, destined to always be on the move the moment I'd collected that package while impersonating a Countess’ errand girl. Cadell had chosen this destiny for me.

“At least let me come with you” Blaine sat up on my bed and gave me puppy dog eyes, even though he knew Jordan and I were the only ones going while he stood in as CEO.

When I just looked at him he sighed and flopped back on the bed. “I know, I know. I just don't want to have to bear the thought of you so far away from me”, he said.

I instantly felt guilty and abandoned my packing, walking around the bed to sit beside him. The moment I did he intertwined our fingers and pulled me until I was half lying on his chest. He had a serious expression on his face, which was rare for Blaine.

“It’s strange because I feel I just got you back. Since I lost my memory it's been hard not to see you as a stranger and I had to get to know you all over again. Everything I've learnt so far feels weird because it's like I'm rediscovering things I somehow already knew, like seeing or smelling something familiar after a long time. It conjures fond feelings, but no memories. It's frustrating. I don't know how to explain”, he concluded.

In all the time I've known Blaine, I've never heard him speak this way. I cupped his cheek and looked into his eyes, “You just did”, I said simply. “Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me”.

I didn't know what to say after that. I'd never been great with emotions, never had a close enough interaction with people to know how to address them. It seemed like that was enough though, as he wrapped his arms around me and we lay there in a comfortable silence.

After a few minutes, I broke it with a lighter topic “So have you ever been to Paris?”

He chuckled, “A couple times. It's not bad, but I don't think it lives up to the hype. Do you speak French too?”

I smiled and let out a stream of perfect French with some swear words mixed in.

As I'd hoped, Blaine laughed. “Very good. You speak like a native. They won't know the difference.”

Warmth unfurled in my chest at the compliment. “Thank you very much, kind sir” I said, speaking English in a heavy French accent.

He laughed again and shook his head, pulling me until we were at eye level. I looked at his dimpled smile and his pretty blue eyes that were clear of shadows now.

“God, you're a delight”, Blaine murmured and kissed me.

I sunk into it– because why not– and buried my fingers in his soft hair. He wrapped his hands more securely around me and flipped us so I was on my back and he was above me. I tensed at the idea of not being in control but decided to let him have it. Just this once. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine.

“You’re so sexy” he whispered, his warm breath fanning my face. Groaning, he got off me.

“Christ, I admire my own restraint. I'm going to need to borrow your shower”, he said and walked into the bathroom.

I smiled smugly. It was nice to know I hadn't lost my touch.

I got up from the bed with some regret and went to continue packing. I made sure to carry everything I needed but still leave enough stuff to not make it obvious that I might not be coming back. As I folded and stuffed clothes and other essentials in my travel bag, I wondered why Blaine had never gone farther than taking my shirt off.

I knew it wasn't because he didn't find me attractive as he made sure to show me that all the time, and I knew he wasn't shy and definitely not a virgin. Could be he was waiting for the right time, or for me to make the first move. I had actually contemplated that, but something always held me back from diving into the deep end, and I didn't know what.

I set it aside and finished packing just as Blaine came out of the bathroom. He came up behind me as I zipped up my single piece of luggage and put his arms around my waist from behind.

“I wish I was going to Paris with you,” he said, kissing my neck. “We could do all the touristy stuff, Climb the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre, the works.”

I smiled and turned in his arms to hug him properly. “Maybe we'll get to do all that someday. Jordan will likely have me working round the clock, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere”, I said.

Blaine shook his head “Don’t listen to that grinch. Take time to relax and have fun. You can always rant to me if it gets stressful, and I'll hit him.”

I mock gasped and smacked his arm. “Blaine! You don't hit your best friend over a girl. I thought it was bros before hos”, I teased.

He pulled me closer, “Yes, but you are a diamond, not a ho. My diamond”. He kissed me again and I left the affection course through me.

Of course, the moment was broken up by the Grinch himself. Jordan cleared his throat and I stepped away from Blaine with a sigh. His green gaze flicked from me to his best friend before he turned and walked away without a word.

Blaine picked up my luggage and we walked out of my room.

“Don’t forget to feed my cat”, I reminded him as we walked out the front door. He had offered to cat sit for me and I was more comfortable leaving it with him than in a house with Taylor. Speaking of her, she'd gotten sulky when she found out we were going to Paris and refused to allow her to come.

I hadn't seen her since then and I couldn't complain. I caught a glimpse of her at a window now as Blaine opened the car door for me. I got in the backseat as he slid into the driver's seat and then I was on my way to Paris for the first time.