Page 23 of The Matchmaker's Melody
And flirtatious it was. It was nice to be flirted with. And it was fun to flirt. Jean-François was most adept at the art, and Emma was hardly going to refuse the witty banter and sprinkling of compliments that accompanied their poutine and cider. “Real poutine,mon amie, is never made with… what is this? Mushrooms? You must come to Montreal, and I will show you the real thing. Our restaurants are beyond compare, and I know where we can find food that the tourists cannot even imagine. Ah, apple cider, a drink not as respected as it might be. The sparkles, the bubbles, match the light in your eyes. But now, a real treat, that is spruce beer. I know the best places. I will be delighted to have such a beautiful lady as my guest.”
Still, despite all the charming and witty words, there was no real spark between them. Emma had been so ready to fall in love when Jean-François arrived last November, and had been waiting for her heart to speed up when he walked into rehearsal each week, but nothing had happened. No heated dreams at two in the morning, no damp palms, no waiting with bated breath for him to appear. It was still, lamentably, a case of out of sight, out of mind.
The winks and knowing looks from their co-choristers were all for nothing. Despite her greatest efforts, Emma just could not fall in love with him.
He was handsome and could be relied upon for a wonderfully diverting evening, but any expectations of a grand amour were soon put aside. And so she flirted and was flirted with, with no effect on her heart, and when others in the choir made their little comments, she just laughed them off. It was all just for fun.
* * *
(Halli) Hey Emma. What’s going on with choir? Is everything okay? I heard Gordon and Randall talking and they sounded worried. You know everything.
(Emma) …
* * *
(Emma) Gordon, what’s going on? What were you and Randall talking about? Is everything okay? Is the choir in trouble?
(Gordon) Who told you that? What did you hear? The choir’s fine. We might need to find new rehearsal space, though.
(Emma) WTF? Who was that tall guy hanging around when everyone left? Does he have anything to do with it?
(Gordon) Emma, stop meddling. Not everything involves you.
(Emma) ...
* * *
(Emma) Hey, Halli. Just some issues with the space. Nothing to worry about. Worst case, we find new rehearsal space.
(Halli) …
…
…
Jean-François says we might be able to use the conference room in his office building, if it’s not already booked.
(Emma)Jean-François?
(Halli)I just asked him.
(Emma)You text with him?
(Halli)Not usually. We’re hanging out now. He sometimes comes by to chat if I’m not busy with labs or other assignments. He works close to campus.
(Emma)…
I think we’ve got some talking to do! Coffee? I’m buying.
* * *
CHAPTER13
MUSINGS
Emma pickedHalli up after her last class the next day. They found a coffee shop in a nearby shopping area, and soon were seated at a quiet table with drinks and treats before them. Emma liked the vanilla lattes this place made; Halli chose a decaf cappuccino. Both decided to try the fudgy squares that teased them from their trays under clear domes on the counter.
They went through the expected rounds of how-are-yous, how-is-school, and the like, before Emma started edging towards her topic of choice.
