Page 54 of Love Spell

Noah cut his eyes sideways to Timo as he placed one bud in his ear.

“I forgot to mention that I have an appointment with my immigration attorney late next week.”Timo settled back in his seat to give Noah space, closing his eyes.“Just thought you’d want to know.”

Timo waited happily.He won either way now.Either Noah caved and asked what for, was there a chance Timo could get the work visa for Noah, could Noah attend the meeting, and all those questions that must be whirling through his mind, or he remained silent out of pride and stubbornness just to prove a point, while suffering all the rest of the train journey as he was desperate to know more.

Noah kept quiet.

* * *

They reached Gare du Nord an hour before sunset, launching the next argument about rushing straight into quick sightseeing or checking in at Maison Albar — Le Pont-Neuf, leaving their bags, and getting dinner.

“We have all of Saturday and Sunday to be tourists.There’s no rush.Enjoy the moment.”While Noah gazed around, fascinated even by the rail station and immediate street out front, Timo steered him with a hand on his shoulder to the tram stop.“We’ll be at the hotel in ten minutes; much faster than a car.Still plenty of time to stroll along the river for sunset, or wherever you want to be.”

“Will there be a pool?I don’t have swim trunks.”

“A pool, a spa, a gym, a restaurant — they have anything you like.”

“Do you speak French?”

“Un petit.”

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“Calm down.”Timo rested a hand on Noah’s waist while he watched up the street to the approaching tram, their stop crammed with what must be the end of rush-hour commuters, seeming like several hundred people swirling for trams and buses.“I have been here before, you know.Trust me.Just enjoy yourself.”

Noah gazed out the window, gripping a handrail as he swayed on his feet for the quick ride to the hotel, then kept stopping to look at shops and architecture on the few blocks they had to walk.Timo was unusually patient with him.

“Does everyone in Paris smoke?”

“This is it.”

“What’s it?”

“Our hotel.”

“That was fast.”

The cream-coloured Haussmannian building seemed to sprawl across a whole block, reaching six stories up, with the top being dormers, and elaborately detailed in the balcony railings.The street was treelined, quintessential and, Noah had to assume based on Timo’s choice of the place, in the heart of Paris.

“Are we near the Seine?”

“Across the street.”

“And the Louvre?”

“Five-minute walk.Really, you must have faith in me.I’ll look after you.”

“Can we do touristy stuff?I’m doing touristy stuff even if you won’t.Like a walking tour.Or one of those tacky bus tours.Or both.”

“We can do absolutely anything you fancy.The man’s holding the door, Noah.Go on.”

Their room turned out to be an upstairs suite with impending sunset views along rooftops, leaving Noah torn as to extracting the full savour of the moment.This room was worth spending time in, and they would have two days.

But no, he had to get out to the river at least, go for a walk, giddy with being here, setting foot in Paris for the first time in his life.Timo was such a world traveller, he could no longer appreciate what this rush was like for a kid from the Alaskan pipeline escaping to a five-star Parisian hotel.

Timo spoke to their attendant at the door while Noah drank in the view and shrugged out of his backpack.No, he couldn’t wait, had to get out and see more right now.

Timo closed the door and Noah dashed to him, grinning, feeling he’d won the lottery.

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