Page 13 of Boarding Pass
Sophie settles back against the pillows and manages to cover her breast with the sheet. “Last night was…”
“Transcendent,” I finish, and immediately second-guess my choice of words. I’m such a word nerd.
Her lips curve slightly into the genuine grin I’m falling for. “Yeah. I couldn’t have put it better myself.”
Relief washes over me, but it doesn’t erase the questions swirling in my mind. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “Do you believe in fate?”
“Fate?” Sophie blinks, as though she’s caught off guard.
“Yeah.” I nervously run a hand through my hair, which must look like I’ve electrocuted myself. “You know, like…things happen for a reason. Sometimes you meet the perfect person at the right time. Woo-woo kind of stuff.”
She leans back against the headboard, her expression thoughtful. “I used to think I didn’t,” she admits. “But, after meeting you…I don’t know. Yesterday wasn’t just chance. Fate is the word I thought about as I fell asleep.”
Her words hit me deeper than I expect. I feel a flicker of hope this might continuetoday.
“What about you?” She tilts her head slightly.
I hesitate, then shrug. “I’ve never thought about it much. But meeting you is the kind of thing I can’t chalk up to coincidence.”
With our admissions, the tension in the room lifts.
“So,” she says after a moment, pulling her knees up to her chest. “What happens next? For you, I mean. What’s your plan?”
I let out a small laugh. “The million-dollar question. Or I guess, technically, the billion-dollar question.”
She raises an eyebrow, amused.
“I don’t have a plan.” I shrug then lean back next to her. “I bought a one-way ticket to Europe, figured I’d wander for a while. See what happens.”
“Wander where?” She rests her head on my shoulder.
“Honestly? No idea,” I say. “I was kinda hoping Paris would point me in the right direction.”
There’s a glint of something playful in her eyes. “Well, you’re in luck. Paris is very proficient at pointing people in the right direction.”
“And you?” I askherthe million-dollar question. “What’s next for you?”
Her smile falters slightly, and she glances down at her hands. “I’m heading to Bordeaux tomorrow.”
“Sounds fun.” I can hear the hesitation in my voice. “How long will you stay?”
“Oh, my plan was for a few weeks,” she says quickly. “I was… It’s complicated. My parents are wonderful and I haven’t seen them in awhile. I know they worry about me more than they let on.”
I nod, understanding completely. I have my own set of helicopter parents. Part of me wonders if she regrets having set plans. Does she want to spend time with me to see if what we have is real? On the other hand, I don’t want to come across too aggressively.
“What if we spent today together?” I suggest before I can second-guess it.
She looks at me, surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I kiss her temple. “This is your city. Show me your favorite places. All the little spots tourists don’t know about. You said Paris is good at pointing people in the right direction? Maybe it can do the same for both of us. Together.”
Her eyes search mine, and for a moment, I wonder if I’ve pushed too far. But then she smiles and it feels like the sun is breaking through the clouds. “Yeah. Okay.”
With our plan in place, all remnants of awkwardness melt away, replaced by the easy rhythm we found the previous night.
“Before we get up, though…” I nibble on her ear. “There’s unlimited things to explore here in your bedroom.”
Sophie giggles and turns my face toward hers. “Yeah, I think we may need at least another round.”
