Page 39 of The Paris Chapter

‘Okay,’ I agreed.

I wished it wasn’t going to be our last day here. I wanted to believe we would have many more days together. But I didn’t want to get my hopes up and face being disappointed again either.

17

When Ethan left for his course, I took my time getting ready for the day. I had another cup of tea on the balcony to enjoy the morning view for the last time. I looked out at the Parisian architecture and skyline and took photos of it, and made a mental note of how it felt so I could write about it in my novel, hopefully soon.

I had a bubble bath and as I got ready, Juliette messaged me to see if I fancied having lunch and then to go shopping with her as she didn’t have to work until tonight and wanted to hang out while Ethan was at the restaurant. I thought it sounded like a perfect way to start my final day in Paris, so I finished getting ready quickly, pulling on jeans and a jacket and leaving my hair loose.

As I walked to meet Juliette, I tried to breathe in the Paris air and calm my nerves. But it wasn’t easy. I didn’t want this trip to come to an end for a few reasons. I would have to face the music at home regarding my next book. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to start writing it, and the deadline was getting closer by the hour. I had no idea if I could pull off a first draft when Gita wasexpecting it, and that would mean I’d have to confess just how behind I was. And that thought, and her reaction and the fear my publishers might be so angry they’d drop me, really made me not want to do that. I was also worried about what was going to happen with Ethan once we left Paris and our apartment. We’d spent so much time together over the past few days and now we’d be going back to our normal lives. I didn’t know how we’d fit in with each other. I had no idea what was going to happen between us. Or really what I wanted after everything I’d been through with Joe. And my shaky relationship with love in general right now. I just knew I didn’t want to say goodbye to him.

I’d miss Juliette and Ethan’s friends too, I realised as I spotted her sat at a table outside a bistro, giving me a wave when she saw me walking towards her. She wore a trench coat with black trousers and ballet flats, her hair in a chic bun. ‘I wish I was as stylish as you,’ I said after we had exchanged hellos.

She stood up to kiss both my cheeks.

‘You’re too lovely,’ she said. ‘I love your style, it’s very streetwear London edgy. Sit, sit.’

I joined her and looked around. We were planted on the street at a small, round table, watching people walking on by. It wasn’t warm but it was dry and, in my jacket, it was enjoyable to feel the fresh breeze on my face. The waiter came and Juliette pressed me to join her in having a glass of wine. We both ordered a croque monsieur and then leaned back in our chairs.

I let out a sigh.

‘What’s wrong?’ Juliette asked me, raising an eyebrow.

‘Just kind of sucks that this is my final day in Paris,’ I told her. ‘And everything is up in the air!’

‘I think you need to translate that…’

‘Well, I was hoping Paris would inspire me to be able to writemy next novel. I kind of have an idea and I’ve told my publisher that it will be set in Paris, but I haven’t been able to start it,’ I admitted. ‘And there is everything with Ethan too.’

Juliette’s face lit up. ‘Something has happened between you,oui?’

‘Yeah, kind of…’ I found myself starting to smile just thinking about it. ‘We kissed.’

‘Oh, finally,’ she said, leaning forward. ‘It was, how you say, fireworks?’

‘It was. It was one of the best kisses of my life.’ Our wine arrived and Juliette clinked her glass against mine. I took a sip. The wine here was phenomenal. ‘This whole trip has been unexpected.’

‘That is good,oui?’

‘Yeah, I think so. Honestly, I don’t think I would have really considered Ethan if I hadn’t got to know him first. Is that bad?’

‘No. You have learnt that connection is the most important thing.’

‘Hmmm.’ I rested my hand on the wine glass. ‘That’s a good way of putting it.’

‘I had the best sex of my life with an older man.’

I choked. ‘What?’ Juliette never failed to surprise me.

She shrugged. ‘He is fifty, and it was hot. He made me laugh. That got me into bed.’

‘Wow.’ Twenty years between them, but it hadn’t mattered. Did that mean the way I met Ethan didn’t really matter? ‘I guess you’re right. We have connected. But what happens when I go back to London?’

Juliette was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Do you have to?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, if you’re here for inspiration, to write your book, and you are enjoying being with Ethan and us…’ She paused and looked at me. I nodded firmly. ‘So, why not stay for a bit longer?’

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