Page 92 of The Dating Dare

“Oh, thank God,” Aubrey said with feeling.

“I don’t want you guys telling Seth anything. I have to do this on my own. Plus, I’m afraid he would run away if he knew I was coming.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He would never run away from you.”

“What do you call flying to Paris four days early?”

“Getting there a few days early for his new job?”

“Quit making sense. I feel inferior when you do that,” Tara said wryly.

“You’re in love. You’re not supposed to make any sense when you’re about to fly across the ocean to get your man back,” Aubrey said. “Your flight’s at ten o’clock? That doesn’t give us much time. Getting to the airport alone will take us three hours with traffic. And you need to get there two hours before your flight time for international flights.”

“Right. I’m almost home, and I’ll be packed in ten minutes. What’s the best outfit for groveling?”

“Tight jeans and a billowy top. The jeans will make you look good and the loose top will hide any anxiety sweat stains.”

“Good call,” Tara said, putting her car into park. “Okay. I’m home.”

“Got it. I’m going to put Justine in charge here, ask my mom to watch Morgan for the rest of the evening, and have Landon pick up the baby after work.” She was probably ticking them off her fingers. “I’ll be at your house in half an hour.”

“Sorry about putting you through so much trouble.” She couldn’t forget that her best friend now had a family of her own. Being a working mom was hard even without emergency chauffeur duties.

“Do not apologize. You would do the same for me in a heartbeat.”

Tara couldn’t argue with that. So she didn’t. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She pushed herself out of the car, her trembling somewhat better, and let herself inside. The house was quiet and she didn’t run into anyone on her trot over to the garage. She quickly spotted her carry-on case and rolled it to her room.

Tight jeans and loose shirts. Right. Not allowing herself to think too hard, she packed as many of them as she could in her small suitcase, only leaving room for panties, bras, and toiletry. If she needed anything, she could buy it over there. She had twenty minutes to spare so she took a quick shower and changed into a pair of tight jeans and a billowy tunic.

Her cell phone buzzed at the thirty-minute mark. Aubrey was here.Oh, my gosh. This was really happening. She was doing this. She breathed in and out through her nose, and squared her shoulders.Damn right, I’m doing this. I’m going to win my man back.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The cab ride into Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport took over an hour, and she fought against the sleep that tugged down her eyelids. She’d caught snatches of sleep on the plane, but not much. Her mind had refused to relax enough for true sleep to come. The long drive through the rather gloomy, industrial part of the city transitioned abruptly into the stunning, picturesque heart of Paris. Her sigh was automatic and soul deep. The most romantic city in the world. She hoped some of that romance would work in her favor.

Aubrey had given her Seth’s work and home address. Since it was already past eight in the evening, Tara was headed straight for his place. What if he didn’t want to have anything to do with her? She wouldn’t be surprised if he gave her the boot tonight. But she wouldn’t let that discourage her. She planned to camp nearby and visit him every day until she wore him down. She wasn’t leaving Paris until he heard her out. The problem was, she’d left in such a rush that she didn’t have reservations for a room. Hopefully, not all the decent rooms were sold out.

“Is there a view of the Eiffel Tower on our way?” she asked to distract herself from her growing anxiousness.

“Non. But if we go a little around that way, you see the top of it.” The driver glanced back at her. “You want to see?”

“Yes, please.”

She was stalling, but the view of the Eiffel Tower might give her a dose of extra bravery. And she was right. The brightly lit tower rose into the sky—postcards and posters couldn’t capture its immense presence—and even seeing just the tip of it made the fact that she was in Paris sink in.

When she’d last come to Paris, she was bold, adventurous, and fearless. But after that summer, she’d let Jason take that away from her, and she’d lived in fear since. Well, no more. Loving Seth taught her that she didn’t have to curl into herself to protect her broken soul. Loving Seth meant opening up her heart so that he could help her heal. She could still be the bold, adventurous, and fearless woman she was meant to be.No.She alreadywasthat woman. And she was brave enough to come all the way across the ocean to win back the man she loved.I can do this.

The cab stopped and idled in front of a street filled with beautiful apartments. She didn’t know her architecture, but the buildings were old and ornate. The driver got out of the car, then popped the trunk. Tara got out and met him on the sidewalk. She thanked him when he handed the small carry-on to her. For no apparent reason, she stood where he’d dropped her off and watched the cab disappear down the narrow street.

She was terrified, but she had to believe that she could convince Seth to give her another chance. She couldn’t consider the alternative. For a month, she’d existed believing that she had lost him forever, and that wasn’t living. Merely existing like a ghost in this vibrant, beautiful world was unthinkable. She wanted to be with him and live to the fullest.

With a determined nod, she turned to face the building. Seth was in there. After being apart for so long, being this close to him made her heart sing with joy… before terror knocked it aside. A single look or a word from Seth could crush her heart. But she had to remember… taking this risk gave her a chance at a real life. If he sends her away, then she would only be back to where she was. It couldn’t hurt more than sending him away the way she had.

She looked for his name on the intercom. Even when she found it, she couldn’t get herself to press it right away.

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