“Hey, hold tight.My brother, Henri, has a couple of rental properties.I can call him on my other line and see if he has anything,” Luca offers.
“Oh.Wow.That would be great.Thank you.”
I hear the click as he switches lines.
My heart pounds anxiously in my chest as I wait.
A moment later, his smooth voice fills the phone.“Jemma, I’m sorry.I knew it was a long shot, but he’s fully booked through the new year too.”
More tears roll down my cheek.I reach up and wipe them away with the sleeve of my red jacket.“It’s okay.Thank you for your help, anyway.I should let you go.I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
A hearty chuckle bursts from the other end of the phone.“Oh, I’m not giving up yet.I love a good challenge.Let me come get you.What hotel are you at?”
“You don’t have to do that,” I protest, biting my bottom lip.
“Just let me at least meet you.I can help you figure things out.I can’t let you wander the streets of Paris alone without a plan.”
“But you don’t even know me,” I reply.
“I know we just met, but something tells me you need this trip.Let me help you, Jemma.Plus, I could use the distraction.”
I take a deep breath and glance at the receptionist, who’s been listening to my entire conversation.“I’m going to pass the phone to the man working at the hotel here, and he can tell you where I am since I have no clue.”
After their quick conversation and me thanking the hotel employee a million times, I step outside to wait for Luca.I have no idea how quickly he’ll get here, and I don’t want to risk missing him.He’s my only lifeline in this massive city.I can’t believe he agreed to help me, especially after our many awkward interactions.But right now, I’ll take any help I can get.
The sun is already setting, painting the sky in warm oranges and yellows, bathing the street in a soft dusky glow.There’s a slight chill in the air, but it’s still warmer than New York this time of year, so I don’t mind.Since there’s nowhere to sit and wait, I pace the narrow sidewalk that’s beautifully lined with trees in front of the hotel.
About thirty anxious minutes and a few thousand steps later—though I can’t be too sure since I don’t have my phone to track anything—a black cab glides to a stop, and Luca steps out.
“Bonjour, Jemma.”A soft smile spreads across his stupidly handsome face.
My knees buckle at the sight of him.Just half a day ago, I never thought I would be so excited to see him again—the man I literally ran into at the airport.But here he is, my knight in shining armor—well, more like, savior in a long black coat and a Christmas green scarf with a megawatt smile that seems to light up the whole street.
Swoon.
“Bonjour, Luca.”My cheeks flush hot under his gaze.“You have no idea how much I appreciate you coming to my rescue.”
“It’s no problem at all,” he responds, his single dimple taunting me.
I bend down to grab my luggage and try to hide the smile that’s claiming my face.
“Let me help you with that,” he offers, his English appearing more polished than earlier, as if he’s making a conscious effort to mask his naturally thick accent for my benefit.
I take a small step away from my luggage and lift my head ...right into his chin.
Seriously?How does this keep happening?
“Ouch,” I say, rubbing the soft skin around my hairline.Suddenly, a thought strikes me like another blow to the head.
“You lied to me,” I blurt out, with zero time to filter my thoughts.
ChapterTen
JEMMA
“Excusez-moi?”He stares defensively at me while stroking his smooth chin.
“You lied to me on the plane.”My voice comes out high and pitchy.
