Page 69 of I Love You in French

“And I was scared.”

“There it is!” she yells in the diner. Some customers look at us but then go right back to digging into their breakfasts-for-dinner and burgers.

“Why were you scared?” Grey asks kindly, a hint of something in her eyes like she’d like to know the answer to some questions she’s been asking herself.

“Well ...” I begin. “Because he was more than I ever expected.” I move the straw around in my milkshake, chocolate swirls blending with the whipped cream. “And when love was right in front of me, I didn’t think I was worthy of it.” I swallow, but it’s challenging to not let emotion get in the way.

“What do you love about him?” I look up at Ivy, who’s sweetly waiting for my response. I grin and think of all the ways Rafe has changed my life.

“Apart from the fact that he’s gorgeous,” Lily adds.

“Yes, he is.” I smile, thinking of the secret behind his scarred eyebrow and the laugh lines that only deepen when he’s really happy. From his nervous tics to his forest stare, I’m his. “Everything,” I whisper. “I love everything about him.”

Just then, my phone pings with a text, and as I reach for it, I nearly drop it.

Rafe: I’m sorry.

My heart rate keeps time with the three little dots. After days of silence, he’s responding.

Rafe: Tu me manques.

He misses me. I cover my mouth with a surprised laugh as I bolt upright. Part French, part English. So us. My fingers shake as I type, my friends squealing their approval.

Sparrow: Are you here?

I bite my nails and wait for the response past the dreaded three little dots.

Rafe: Nashville. Recording for the next week.

The three little dots appear and disappear.

Rafe: Save a dance for me, Sugar.

I lean back, my head falling to the back of the booth, and feel the smile overtaking my face. I pull my phone up to my face and type out my response without overthinking.

Sparrow: Always.

Rafe: Fais-toi confiance.

Trust yourself. Hope beats hard and fierce within my chest. Maybe what was lost won’t really be gone after all.

“Lily.” I look right at her, courage growing in my heart. “Can you watch the store for a few days?”

She lifts a hesitant brow while Ivy and Grey lean back in their seats. “Yesss,” she drags out.

“Great.” I grab my purse and start to put on my coat, catching the faintest hint of Rafe’s cologne on one of the sleeves. I swallow. “I think it’s time I visit Nashville.”

I’m running out of the diner when I hear Lily yell behind me, “But you’ve never been on a plane!”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rafe

The next day, I’m in a recording booth in the studio, headphones plastered to my head and a weight still in my lungs. I’m doing my best to move through it, but there’s not much more I can do other than to throw myself into my music. It always seemed to work before, but now, it’s a temporary bandage to my heart as it bleeds out.

Sparrow texted me, and I responded. But the uncertainty of when I’ll ever see her again has me reeling.

We’ve gone over this song at least a dozen times, and each time, my studio sound engineer, Evan, has something to change or add. Some inspiration hits, and he’s ready to capitalize on it. Normally, I’d be down for the creative flow, but today, I just want to finish this song and keep moving.

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