Page 16 of Boarding Pass
As we continue our walk back, hand in hand, I let the worry drift away. For now, it’s enough to just enjoy this moment.
I’m going to let myself believe in the possibility of something big between us.
Even if I know it’s a long shot.
Chapter nine
Havingdinnerwiththeparents of a woman I just met wasn’t remotely on my radar when I decided to escape to Europe.
Forty-eight hours ago, I was some random guy in Paris, wandering through streets I didn’t know, wondering what the hell I was doing inFrance.
Now I’m in Le Porge—a village outside of Bordeaux I’d never even heard of—where the air smells like salt and pine, and the sound of the Atlantic hums all around us.
It’s wild, practically untouched. Sand dunes stretch to infinity. The trees whisper with the breeze. The village feels frozen in time—small, slow, deliberate. Earlier today, when she showed me around the town, Sophie moved through it like she’s part of the place.
Two days ago, I didn’t know her. Now, I can’t take my eyes off her.
Dinner at Sophie’s parents’ house is nothing short of enchanting. The entire experience is warm, personal, and effortlessly welcoming.
This centuries-old home feels alive, like it’s been nurtured by all the families who’ve lived here. Stone floors hold the memories of countless footsteps. Wooden beams overhead stretch across the ceilings like silent sentinels of time. Dumond family photos in mismatched frames, and bursts of vibrant color from Élise’s floral arrangements decorate the space, giving it a lived-in, layered beauty.
The table is simple but perfect. A golden, roasted chicken sits in the center, surrounded by crispy rosemary potatoes and a fresh salad tossed. Bread,still warm from theboulangerie, is passed around, and a bottle of Bordeaux—likely from a nearby vineyard—seems to refill itself with Claude’s gentle insistence.
Sophie sits close enough next to me, her elbow brushes mine now and then. Each small touch sends a spark through me, and I can’t stop thinking how I can’t remember life before I met her.
It’s hard to believe how quickly things have moved.
Two nights ago, we traded witty banter after she spilled a glass of wine and it ended up being the most transformative, passionate night of my life. By yesterday, it was more.Muchmore.
Not just chemistry. Something deeper—something huge and terrifying and completely inevitable. When we woke up this morning, tangled together in the soft light of her hotel room, I could hardly believe how natural it felt. Like we’d been waking up together forever.
Our desire for each other is intense. Deep. Soulful. Not frenzied emulate-a-porn-video gymnastics. No, it’s so much better. Sex with Sophie is like finding the missing page in a book I’ve been reading my whole life.
We left Paris midmorning. The train ride to Bordeaux was quiet, but not awkward. Sophie readmost of the way, her hair catching the sunlight as it streamed through the window. The entire trip, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her. She always caught me, smirking faintly like she knew what I was thinking but didn’t mind.
Now, sitting here in her parents’ home, I’m overwhelmed by a strange, profound sense of belonging. It’s a little unnerving, if I’m honest.
Sophie’s dad, Claude’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “So, Miles.” He leans back in his chair, glass of wine in one hand. “You’re from Seattle?”
“Yes.” I set my fork down, trying to remember my manners. “Born and raised.”
“And what brings you to France?” Élise’s tone is curious but kind.
I glance at Sophie, who offers me a small, encouraging smile. “It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I sold my company and once things settled, I realized I didn’t have anything tying me down for the first time in years. So, I booked a one-way ticket to Paris.”
“An excellent choice. Paris is always a terrific idea.” Claude raises his glass approvingly.
I laugh. “At least it’s what I told myself. Though I didn’t have a set plan. My whole day consisted ofgetting lost in a city where I don’t speak the language. The epitome of bumbling American.”
“Until you met Sophie,” Élise says with a sly smile.
I feel the heat creep up my neck. “Uh, yeah. Yep.”
“Mom!” Sophie shakes her head.
Claude thoughtfully takes a sip of wine. “You mentioned selling a company. What kind of work were you in?”
“I cofounded a gaming company with my best friend, Austin,” I explain. “We made casual games—stuff you can play on your phone or tablet. Our biggest hit was calledPuzzle Pet Paradise. It took off faster than we expected and we ended up growing the company into something much bigger than we’d ever dreamed possible.”
