“You’re Madison.”
Madison drew in a sharp breath and lifted her eyes to Chloe’s. Chloe stayed standing, wanting the keep the upper hand for as long as possible. “Yes. I am. And again, who are you?”
In event management, Chloe had handled her share of tyrants, micromanagers, whingers, whiners, and idiots—clients, vendors, and colleagues alike. She was also well-versed in “diva” and knew a bluff when she saw one. Madison was all bravado and no substance. It clearly wouldn’t take much to make her crumble into a sobbing ball of misery, but Chloe hesitated.
As experienced as she was in an array of people-management situations, she’d never handled a petulant ex who seemed to be on the precipice of a breakdown. She was also not a cruel person and, really, her own position as Archer’s love interest was also rather fragile. She had no idea where they were heading, if anywhere at all.
She was going to have to tread lightly to navigate these uncharted and muddy waters.
“I’m Chloe,” she said simply. She sat on the armchair opposite Madison, who seemed to have recovered from her stupor and glowered at her. “I’m here with Archer.” Though true, she could tell the words had stung. It was in the quiver of Madison’s lower lip—her very beautiful lip. God, she’s so pretty—even in this state.
“Why?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean.”
“Why did he bring you here?” Madison asked, her tone making it clear that she thought Chloe was dim.
“Well, you’ll have to ask him that. But I am here with Archer, and I’m wondering what you’re doing here. How did you even know where he was staying?”
Madison looked down at her hands, then raised her right forefinger to her teeth and nibbled on the cuticle. “I know someone in his publicity team,” she mumbled.
Chloe shuddered, knowing that discretion was paramount in any kind of publicity role and that whoever had leaked to Madison would be looking for another job by the end of the day. “And I’m assuming you also know someone on the front desk too? This is the Four Seasons. They have famous people staying here all the time. Surely, they have stringent security measures in place.”
Madison stopped nibbling her cuticle and shot her a look, and Chloe just knew she was about to be served. “Well, yes, obviously, but you see, they do know me here, because Archer and I have stayed here together many, many times.” Ouch. A point for Madison.
“You weren’t expecting me, though.”
“Of course not. Why would they have given me a key card to his room if they knew someone else would be here?” Oh, game on Ms Strumpet.
“Oh, so now you’re implying that he doesn’t know I’m here, that I’m the interloper. We checked in last night. Together.” Madison’s eyes darted to the unmade bed and she scowled. “I’m assuming there was a change of shift on reception since then,” added Chloe. “But all that’s irrelevant now. The important question isn’t how but why are you here?”
Madison’s chin lifted. “It was a mistake.”
Well, that was completely vague. Thank you very much, Madison. Chloe was starting to tire of this ridiculous verbal match, and she sighed loudly. “What was a mistake?”
“Us breaking up, obviously.” Why does she think everything’s so obvious? Chloe puzzled, fuming.
“It was just a silly fight. We’ve had them before, and we’ve reconciled before. You wouldn’t know this, and there’s no way that you could know, but this dance is quite familiar for me and Archer.”
Chloe vaguely recalled an assortment of tabloid headlines that supported Madison’s assertion, but Cecily’s comment about the breakup a few days before had made it seem final.
Confusion was not a feeling that sat well with Chloe. She was pragmatic and a planner. She was also unfailingly confident. But there was something about Madison’s words, and even her presence—as though she was daring Chloe to challenge her assertion that this was nothing more than a lovers’ tiff—that made Chloe doubt what was happening between her and Archer.
Scrutinising the relationship (for want of a better word) from this fresh perspective, Chloe knew that it was more than just physical—at least for her—and it was certainly more than fangirling. That moment they’d shared at the fair with the Capels, that had changed their flirtation into something more substantial. She’d seen then, and many times since, what was in his heart. He was a good person—kind, intelligent, thoughtful. She didn’t need Susan extolling his virtues to see all that.
She realised, as she sat in a luxurious suite in inner London, wearing only a fluffy bathrobe and under the scrutiny of Archer’s ex-girlfriend, that she was falling for him. She was falling hard for Archer Tate, the man she’d been papped with. It certainly complicated things, but in a way, it also fuelled her. She was not walking away from this without telling Archer how she felt.
“You’re welcome to stay until Archer gets back, but that won’t be for a few hours. In the meantime, I’m going back to my bath. Stay or don’t stay, I don’t care. But it’s clear that you and he need to talk.” If only for him to tell you it’s truly over, she thought.
Chloe stood and left the room, slipping off her robe once more and stepping into the now-tepid bath. She lifted the tap to draw more hot water and just as she reclined, she heard the door to the suite open then shut.
She let out a ragged sigh, releasing all the tension her body had been holding. Just the thought of losing Archer, even after this brief time together, made her feel nauseous. So much for a relaxing morning alone.
Chapter 22
Jules
“Are you sure about this?” Jules scrutinised Matt’s face, which was creased with
