Page 18 of Pampered in Paris

But that’s okay because it means less to pack for my return in a few months. This morning, I officially accepted the spot in the fall program. Violet was shouting congratulations over the phone and sent me photos of everyone back in Kastle Harbor cheering for me.

It feels good to have a support team.

As I let my muscles relax in the bath, I check my phone. I want to figure out what I want to do tomorrow. I don’t have anything booked and I’m torn between museums. I go through my messages. My mother isn’t happy with my decision, though I’ve come to accept that she may never be happy with my decisions. Then I see Alexandre’s name with an unread notification.

Alexandre: I’d love to see you before you leave. I want to apologize in person.

I don’t reply. I set my phone on the floor and try to return to enjoying my soak in the hot water. By the time the water is cold, I still can’t think of any reason I shouldn’t meet with him. I should thank him for his help with the application and get his input on finding housing here in the city. Plus, we don’t have to pursue dating.

Anne: I’m free tomorrow afternoon.

Alexandre: Would you meet me for a late lunch in the park? I’ll bring wine.

Anne: Sure, where and when?

Alexandre: The Square René Viviani at noon. If you don’t like it, we’ll go elsewhere.

Anne: Okay, see you then.

Alexandre: Sleep well.

I set my phone aside and intend to read in bed but I can’t focus. I’m both excited about seeing Alexandre and nervous to talk to him about the future. Paris has been an amazing time, but I’ve felt the most joy while spending time with Alexandre. Now that I’ll be moving here for an extended length of time, I want to pursue a relationship with him. I think it’s a risk worth taking.

Besides, dating is just dating. It’s not permanent. You get to know each other and decide if you’re a good fit. We’ll both be working wild hours and probably won’t get much time together. We did start out as a vacation fling, so that’s not really a promising beginning to a relationship.

But there’s no language barrier and we’re already sexually compatible, so those are two positives I already know for certain.

Pick a path and go for it.

I’m going to go for Alexandre.

I decideto bring the rest of the macarons with me to the picnic. It’s a pleasant day. The sun is bright but it’s not too hot. Dressed in a navy and green cotton dress, I’m comfortable and cool. The park is easy to navigate once I find Notre Dame. I’m early so I wander into the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore nearby.

I start to imagine my daily routine for when I move here. Will I walk everywhere? Will I have a go-to café or try to save money and make coffee at home? There are so many things to think about and I feel giddy about the future for the first time in what feels like forever.

After browsing the bookstore, I walk back to the park. I spot Alexandre sitting on the steps surrounding theFontaine Saint-Julien le Pauvresculpture. He’s dressed in a navy t-shirt and shorts. I think this is the first time I’ve seen him in shorts. It makes him look more active, as compared to the laid back and relaxed look he has wearing jeans.

As I approach him, I think about how to greet him. Surely, he won’t want to kiss me after I raised my voice and stormed out.

He stands when he sees me and I chuckle softly to myself. I momentarily forgot our height difference. He’s a good six or seven inches taller than me. How we both fit in my shower is still a mystery to me.

“Bonjour,Alexandre.” I practiced my pronunciation all morning to get the vowels right.

“Bonjour,Anne.” Tiny lines crinkle by the sides of his eyes as he smiles at me. “Would you like to join me for lunch?” Alexandre extends his hand and I take it.

He leads me to a nice little shaded area. There are a few other couples laying out in the sun nearby. It seems like soaking up the sun in a park is the thing to do on a warm summer day. Alexandre takes a blanket out of his bag and lays it on the ground.

“I’ve prepared quite the spread.” He starts to pull items out of his bag. “First off, a fresh baguette.”

“Very important for picnics.” I nod my head. “Almost as important as the blanket.”

He laughs along with me. “Next, of course, is cheese. I only brought one type but don’t worry, it’s delicious.” He pulls out a small container and a knife and sets them next to the bread.

“I was told there would be wine.” I wink at him as he does a full body laugh, tilting his head back as he chuckles. Everything feels so natural, as if the little spat in his apartment never happened.

“But of course there is wine,mon trésor,” he murmurs as he pulls a bottle out of his bag, “though we will be drinking from plastic cups. I didn’t have space for anything else.”

“That is a pretty big bag,” I reply as he pours me a small amount of wine. It’s a rich merlot color, the dark red legs of the wine dripping down the inside of the clear cup.

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