Page 6 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“Would you care to accompany me along the city walk to see some of the sites?” he asked.

“I’d love that.”

Blake held my gaze as in one particularly slick move, he reached down to grab my hand. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined meeting any man on my first day in Paris, let alone a man as handsome, interesting and kind as him.

We took care of the food bags, and then that was how we walked around Paris, holding hands. Paris at night checked off every box I’d ever imagined about the city while growing up. The lights—beautiful. The thoroughfare—energized.

Finally, it grew pretty late and he walked me back to my hostel. “Do you have plans for tomorrow, Glory?”

“Honestly, I haven’t made any plans. I just decided to go where the day takes me.”

He smiled so big that I lostmybreath for a moment. “Good. Then the day is going to take you out to breakfast with me and then from there, it’s going to have us tour the Louvre and take our picture at the top of the Eiffel Tower.”

“The day knows me so well,” I agreed.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” He squeezed my hand and released it but waited for me to go inside before he left. I knew because I watched him out the window. What a heck of a first day in the city of love.

I walked back to my room, changed into my pajamas, and giving in to the excitement of the day, I spun around in a circle jumping up and down, softly squealing for about a minute. Truly. The day deserved it. This kind of luck rarely found its way to me.

It took three cups of herbal tea to calm my mind enough to sleep. Thankfully the room came equipped with an electric kettle. The tea I’d brought from home. But every time I closed my eyes, thoughts of Blake filled my mind and who could sleep thinking of Blake Parker?

After that third cup of chamomile, I crashed.

In the morning, I stretched that first glorious stretch of the day smiling as images of my dream lingered. My date would be arriving soon so I shoved up out of the bed, grabbing up my soap, shampoo and towels, and headed for the shower.

Back in the room, I posted some of my pictures from yesterday to my social media accounts. And wanting to impress the gorgeous man coming to get me, I dressed in a pretty sundress, white with yellow chrysanthemums, and I wore my hair in a loose bun. Along with my comfy walking sandals and my crossbody bag, I decided to walk outside to wait for Blake. He was just opening the front door to come in and wait for me as I opened the door.

“Glory,” he said surprised, blinking a few times. “You look amazing.” I’d never been a woman who sought a man’s approval, but his words made me feel beautiful. “How did I get lucky enough to have the prettiest woman in Paris touring the city with me today?”

This guy was too good to be true.

“Keep that up, Blake,” I said in a teasing, warning tone.

“Keep it up and what?” he asked.

“Nothing. I just want to keep hearing you say things like that.”

“Your wish is my command, beautiful.” He winked causing me to internally swoon.

Deciding to be brave, I held my hand out to him. He looked down at it and then up at my face, smirking, and he took it. A girl could lose a lot to a smirk like that.

We strolled to a café with outdoor seating, chatting some, but mostly just enjoying the city scenery and each other’s company. He and I ordered crusty baguettes served cut into rectangles with creamy butter and jam. Both Blake and I started our day with coffee. Parisians dunked their baguettes into their coffees. I wholeheartedly approved.

Before I could get my money out of my bag, he paid for us. Then we walked to the bus station and he bought our bus tickets. Finally, when we made it to the Louvre, he paid for that, too. Why did he think he had to pay for everything?

I wasn’tpoor Gloriahere. I was simply Gloria. He didn’t need to feel sorry for me. I’d had enough of that when I was younger.

“Why do you keep paying for everything?” I asked. “I can pay my own way.”

“I never thought you couldn’t. But call me old-fashioned. When I ask a woman out on a date, then I pay. If you ask me out, then you can pay.”

“So, this is a date?” Why? Why did I ask that? I knew we were on a date.Could you sound any dumber, Gloria?

“What did you think it was?”

“I don’t know… I didn’t want to assume—” My cheeks began to blush from humiliation.

“Assume away,” he replied. Assume away. Blake said ‘Assume away.’ Giddiness chased away the embarrassment of a moment before. “I like you,” he continued. “I plan to spend more time getting to know you. Here I thought we were on the same page yesterday.”

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