Page 16 of Cowgirls Love French Kisses
“Let's just say I've learned more about Paris in a day than most do in a week, thanks to some unexpected… tutorials.”
She looks at me then, and my heart skips a beat.
I watch her, admiration blooming amid the protective instincts she’s unwittingly awakened in me. She tells our story with a spin that has us all captivated, and as she laughs off the chaos, there’s a beauty to her resilience that paints the day in a different hue.
Annie's chuckle rolls through the air, rich and heartfelt, as she counters a jest about eating escargot with a raised glass. “To escargots, the slimy daredevils of French cuisine,” she toasts, with a look that says she's game for anything.
That laugh, it does something strange to me. It feels…
Stop.
I catch myself mid-thought, questioning this gravitational pull I feel towards Annie. I’ve only just met her. How can she have such an effect on me?
My friends’ voices fade into the background as I watch her animatedly describe a Texan sunset. “It's like the heavens are ablaze,” she says, “fiery oranges and pinks, a light show you wouldn't believe.”
This is madness—me, Mathieu, diving headfirst into the rapids without a second thought? Since when do I act on impulse? But then, Annie's not just anyone, and this…
She leans in, sharing a story about her first rodeo, and the way she mimics riding a bucking bronco has me genuinely laughing. “You hold on for dear life,” she says, “and if you're lucky, you come out with a story worth telling.”
She laughs, falling against me in the booth, and all I want is to wrap my arm around her and listen all night.
And there it is, the crux of it all. I want to know more. Ihavetoknow more about her. Because maybe this is a silly crush…
But maybe it’s not.
CHAPTER7
Annie
The crisp nightair is a wake-up call, clearing out the warmth of wine from my head.Chez Marcelwas surechez delightful. Mathieu and his friends say their goodbyes, and there it is—the double cheek kiss that seems so natural to them.
Back in Sage, guys slap each other on the back, maybe share a stiff hug with their grandpas at Christmas, but this? They're not afraid of showing that brotherly love, and you know what… it's kinda nice to see.
I wouldn’t mind Mathieu kissingmegoodnight.
The thought makes me gasp out loud.
“Annie?”
They all look at me.
“I’m fine,” I wave them back, “just breathed the wrong way.”
Mathieu cocks his head but goes back to saying his goodbyes.
Meanwhile, my cheeks flame up like I've been sitting too close to a bonfire, and I mentally boot any thought of kissing into next week.
Get a grip, Annie.
“Au revoir, monsieur Gilles, monsieur Étienne, et monsieur Clément!” I wave but they don’t get the hint and next thing I know I’m getting cheek-to-cheek bye-bye kisses from the buddies.
When in France…
“Love these French customs. Yee-haw!”
They laugh.
Did I seriously justyee-hawwith a square dance elbow? I am a hot mess, y’all.
