Chloe was torturing herself by looking at the photos of the Sanguis Estate on her website and imagining how it would feel to take new clients through the house. How it would feel to answer questions about the library where she and Maxwell had made love by the fire. She’d have to keep a smile on her face as she talked about the square footage of the master bedroom where he had held her and told her he’d never let her go. She’d have to force back tears as she showed people the kitchen, where she had eaten those duck-fat crisps and kissed Maxwell with espresso-stained lips.
But she couldn’t focus on torturing herself for long. Her phone began to buzz, and she picked it up automatically.
“Crowley Lake Realty, this is Chloe.”
“Hi Chlo,” Jesse sounded like he was in the car. “I got your text about the awards. I hate to ask, but is Maxwell coming? It’s not like I won’t come if he is, but I just need to prepare myself if I’m going to be sitting next to him for hours. And do I have to wear a suit? Is this a suit kind of deal?”
Chloe closed her eyes for a moment. “Maxwell’s not coming,” she said. “And you don’t have to wear a suit, but definitely nice trousers and a collared shirt.”
“Collared shirt,” Jesse repeated it like it was a particularly repulsive slur. “Okay, just for you, I will. So, lover boy didn’t want to sit through all of those speeches? I’m not surprised.”
“Actually, he’s leaving town,” Chloe said. “So I didn’t ask him. You’re safe.” Her heart, on the other hand, was not.
“Really?” Jesse was incredulous. “Damn, I didn’t see that coming. Are you okay? I mean, I know you liked him.”
“I’m fine,” Chloe said, gnawing on the lid of the pen so ferociously that a slither of plastic got stuck between her teeth. Gross. “It’s fine. It was just a casual thing, anyway.”
“Probably for the best,” Jesse said airily. “I mean, it wasn’t like you two were going to go domestic. He’s not that kind of guy.”
“No.” Chloe agreed. “No, he isn’t.”
“You sure you’re, okay?” Jesse asked again, his voice softer. “I mean, it’s gotta hurt. It’s not like you’re in love, but—”
“I have to go,” Chloe said and ended the call. A fresh flood of tears erupted before she could stop them.
It’s not like you’re in love, Jesse had said.
But that, she thought, was exactly why this hurt so much. She was absolutely, completely, totally in love with Maxwell.