Page 34 of Blue Eyes & Paris Vibes

“I’m going to miss you,” I whisper, trying to blink back the tears threatening to stream down my cheeks along with the rainwater.

“I’m going to miss you too, firecracker,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to the top of my head before letting go of me, only to immediately reach for my hand.

“Oh god, I’m drenched,” I laugh, looking down at myself, my cheeks warming even though the rain makes me shiver.

Just my luck that I picked an almost white dress for this walk. I’m not saying it’s completely see-through now, but well, you can definitely tell the color of my underwear.

“Come on, let’s go back to the hotel,” Reed proposes, throwing his warm arm over my shoulders and I’ve never quite been so happy to cuddle against his side.

We find a different route back, not along the river, but through the dimly lit streets, past tall, timeworn buildings with shuttered windows, stretching high into the rain-darkened sky. The scent of rain on asphalt is thick in the air, mingling with the scent of wisteria snaking their way up the facades.

I catch Reed sneaking glances—again—at the spot where my dress has gone a little too sheer, and I bite my lip, giggling just to mess with him, when I suddenly stop in my tracks.

I hear a faint melody, lovely classical music from an open window.

“Stop,” I whisper, and look at him with wide eyes. “Do you hear that?”

He tilts his head, eyebrows creasing as he tries to focus. It is such a pretty melody, a light and slightly melancholic, jazzy violin, only just audible over the heavy rain sputtering on the cobblestone. I can see the exact moment when he hears it, because his face lights up with a smile.

“Come on,” he says, tugging me close until there’s barely any space between us, one hand laced with mine, the other resting warm and steady at his favorite spot at the small of my back.

“What are you doing?” I giggle, already suspicious. He just grins and starts to sway us. “Reed, seriously. Stop. I can’t dance. I’m going to break your ankle or something.”

“You don’t have to know how to dance,” he murmurs, eyes locked on mine. “Just trust me. Let me lead.”

And he does. I step on his toes more than once, but he just laughs, holding me steady. Then he lifts my arm, guiding me into a twirl before pulling me right back into his arms.

“You’re making it very hard not to fall for you if you pull romantic shit like this,” I whisper, and he chuckles, low and warm against my ear.

I bite the inside of my cheek. He’s just about to ruin dating for me, I fear. How is any other man ever going to hold a candle to this?

Tomorrow is going to be the hardest day of my entire life. I don’t know how I’ll be able to do it, how I can just go back to my life in London like I’m not leaving my heart here with him.

Then I take a deep breath.

There’s no use thinking about tomorrow. Tonight is all we have left. So I’ll make our last moments count and stay right here, in this moment, with Reed, dancing in the night, the Eiffel tower glowing in the distance, beneath the wisteria climbing the façades, and with a lovely melody playing just for us, trying to hold onto this moment for as long as I can.

Reed

Thedoorclicksshutbehind her, the soft rumble of her suitcase wheels fading down the hallway.

And I slowly sink onto her bed, paralyzed. Just like that, it's over. It feels too sudden, too unceremonious.Too soon.

All of a sudden, the room that was filled with her giggle, her moans, her teasing banter, just like that it’s eerily quiet, only the sound of my heart thundering in my chest filling the silence.

How can I feel this broken over a woman I've known for barely a week?

I jump up, grabbing my shoes and leaving the room, making my way back to my own room, running my hand over my face, through my hair, fingers itching with the need to do something. But what?

This was never going to be more than a holiday story. I knew that. It’s what we decided in the beginning, so why does that sound like the dumbest idea I’ve ever had now?

I pull my room door close behind me, leaning my back against it and exhaling a deep sigh. Hell, we don't even live on the same continent. Even if we wanted to, there’s no way that could work out. Right?

I have no idea if she’s even looking for a relationship. For all I know, she’s going back to a happy single life at home, glad she’s not committed to anyone. Then again… am I looking for a relationship?

I don’t know. I didn’t think I was but now I can’t shake the feeling that what and who I’ve been looking for is her.

I startle, heart beating fast, when my phone suddenly starts buzzing. I’d left it here so I could enjoy the last few hours with Abby without interruption.

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