Page 51 of Host for the Holidays
“I’m not saying you have to go crazy, Mads. I’m just saying to have fun. Knowing you, you’ll think you owe Josh some sort of official mourning period.”
“I don’t think that.”
“Good.”
It’s not that I want to lash out at Josh and hurt him by moving on super fast. I’ve given the relationship enough of my time, though. Letting myself have some fun sounds pretty nice right now. And having that fun with Rémy?
Chills ripple across the skin on my arms.
“You’re leaving,” Siena says, “and he knows that. Both of you know it. It’s a great opportunity to dip your toe back into the world of being single, of having physical contact with other humans of the opposite sex.”
My mind immediately goes to the hand-hold in the metro. I still don’t know what that meant, or if it meantanything, but I do know I was the one to break contact, which makes me second-guess my assumption that Rémy is dating Élise.
A little ding tells me I’ve got a calendar reminder. I pull my phone away from my ear long enough to see it’s for the tickets I bought.
“Ugh,” I say to Siena. “First, I’ve gotta see if I can find some people who can use these Eiffel Tower tickets. They’re non-refundable. If I hurry, maybe I can get some money for them.” Every dollar counts.
“Madison Louise Allred,” Siena says in her most outraged voice. “You will do no such thing. You cannotgo to Paris and not do the Eiffel Tower.”
I hadn’t really thought about the fact that I could still use my ticket even if Josh and I aren’t going together. But now that Siena’s mentioned the idea, it feels like exactly what I should be doing—the perfect way to take life by the horns.
I shiver at my own audacity. But I’ve got to take advantage of this mood while it lasts. “You’re right. I’m doing it.”
“Atta girl! Send me a picture from the top. Hashtagaccountability.”
“I will.” My heart is racing with anxious anticipation. I’m really doing it. “Thanks, Siena. You’re the best.”
“Love you, Mads. You’ve got this.”
Once we’ve hung up, I look around me. The plaza is lined on all sides by classic, cream-colored Parisian buildings—Haussmannian, Rémy called them—and the street lamps are wound with Christmas greenery. The beauty of it makes me smile, even amidst all the uncertainty I’m feeling right now. I have no idea where I am, which is a pretty great metaphor for my life at the moment.
My phone vibrates, and I’m preparing myself for a GIF from Siena—King Kong climbing the Eiffel Tower or something—but it’s not her, and my heart does a little skitter at the sight of the name.
Rémy:How did it go?
Itin this context is clearly referring to the business lunch. Not that it matters. All of it went badly. But Rémy’s not asking about the stuff with Josh.
Madi:Remember how I keep telling you Paris hates me?
Madi:The lunch guy never showed up.
Rémy:What?! That’s ridiculous.
Rémy:I’m so sorry, Madi. I hope tonight with Josh makes up for it *smiley emoji*
I stare at his text for a minute before responding. I could tell him Josh and I broke up, but for some reason, that thought makes my stomach twist up into a pretzel. I’ll just keep things vague and light.
Madi:Josh can’t come tonight, but I decided I’m going to do the Eiffel Tower anyway. *nervous emoji* I just need to figure out how to get there now.
I could easily give that job to Google Maps, but I don’t. Part of me doesn’t want to end this text conversation with Rémy. I’m curious, especially after all Siena said, and that curiosity has me jittery.
Rémy:Where are you? I can tell you how to get there.
I look around.
Madi:By some statue.
Rémy:*laughing emoji* So helpful. What statue is it?
