Page 143 of Be My First

Felix extends his hand and Bode takes it although neither man looks comfortable. Felix takes a step back and says, “Juno, I’ll see you Monday.”

I give him a little nod. “Yes. Thank you again for the lovely day.”

“Auf Wiedersehen.”He gives Bode one more quick look before walking away. Bode looks like he’d like to rip Felix’s head off. I put my hands on my hips. “You were just in town for work?”

“Well, London. I jumped on the train.”

I purse my lips together.

“I’ll go,” he says. “I’m sorry. I just thought you might want to catch up. I wanted to see how things were going.”

“They are fine.”

“I see that.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t need you to babysit me again, Bode.”

He glares at me. “I wasn’t implying that you needed to be watched.”

“Felix is a nice guy. You don’t have to be so protective,” I say.

Bode looks back in the direction that Felix just walked. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

“I don’t know why you care.” I turn to stick the key in my door.

“I’m sorry. I should have texted,” he says.

“Yeah. You should have.” I step inside and then turn back to him. “Bye, Bode. It was nice seeing you.”

He reaches out and grabs my hand. “Come on. Get coffee with me. Show me your favorite park or café or market. I’m here. Can’t we be friend for the day?”

I scoff. “We haven’t communicated since Quebec for a reason.”

He looks hurt and then he says, “I thought you wanted to space.”

“So you just show up on my doorstep instead?” I say.

He shrugs. I tip my head back and sigh. “Fine.”

I step back outside and say, “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

At some point while we’re walking through Montmartre, he slips his hand into mine. He’s asked me a million questions about my program and what I’ve been doing. He wants my opinion on everything I’ve seen so far. I’m genuinely confused. I thought when he showed up this was a booty call, but other than holding my hand, he hasn’t touched me or made any sort of advances.

We dine outside. He encourages me to order all kinds of dishes so I can show him all my favorites. After dinner, I say, “I should be getting back. I have an early morning.”

He nods. “I’ll walk you.”

We don’t speak on the way back to my place. Once he’s at my door, he leans in and kisses my cheek. “Thanks for coming out with me. It’s an afternoon in Paris I’ll never forget.”

I blink. “You’re welcome.”

He squeezes my hand. “I’m glad you’re doing so well. Have a good evening.”

He starts to turn but I don’t drop my hand. He looks down at it and then back up at me.

“Juno, that’s not what I came here for.”

“I know,” I say, softly.

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