Exiting the elevator, she almost bumped into a man carrying a large box who was waiting to go up. He excused himself in French. Nora hoped she wasn’t staring too hard because she thought he might be the most intriguing man she had ever seen. Salt and pepper, short-cropped hair streaked with silver framed his striking, chiseled features and a light stubble only added to his quiet magnetism. His deep blue eyes, seemed to be looking straight into her soul. And he appeared close to her age. An older, more lived-in version of Gabriel from Emily in Paris was her immediate reaction.
She stuttered an apology, “Ex-excuse me… Er… Excusez moi.” She blinked to stop staring.
Then she saw Luc standing right inside the door. He strode over to her. “I found a spot,” he said as he gave her an affectionate bise.
She noticed the man who had stepped into the elevator was still looking at her. His eyes darted to Luc as he slid the glass door closed.
Luc took her arm and guided her to the car. “What a crazy night! Everyone is out on the town. I’m very happy to see you. How was your week?”
While she updated Luc on her activities since she last saw him, she could not stop thinking about the stranger at the elevator and wondered if he lived in the building. One thing for certain: she hadn’t seen him before. He was not a man to be forgotten easily.
Luc told her he and Giselle had a couple of video chats during the week. The weather had cleared up in Mexico and she was enjoying her visit. She had invited him to join her, and he was thinking of going for the week of Christmas.
“What are your plans for the holidays?” he asked.
“I will be going to Olivier’s family home, an ancient farmhouse in Provence. It sounds like a very special place, and his extended family will be there so I’m excited. I haven’t visited that region before.”
Luc told her of some of his visits to that beautiful countryside, and said he particularly enjoyed the Luberon, where she was headed. He said he loved its vast vineyards, winding roads, and enchanting villages. “You will love it too,” he assured her.
At the dance club, they were greeted like old friends and invited to join a lively table of people of all ages. Nora stumbled with her French and others stumbled with English, but everyone spoke the same language on the dance floor.
The evening slipped by in a blur of music and movement, the hours melting into one another as they danced nearly every number. Luc, ever attentive, offered Nora warm praise, marveling at how effortlessly she seemed to grasp each new step they tried. His encouragement was steady and sincere, and with each graceful turn and playful pivot, Nora’s confidence grew. The tango, once intimidating in its intensity, now began to feel like a language she was learning to speak—with rhythm, with flair, and with a quiet thrill that lingered long after the music paused.
It was pouring rain when they left the club at one in the morning. They hurried along, Luc with his arm around Nora to help keep her dry, as the doorman escorted them to the car with an umbrella.
When they drove off, Nora was shocked by how much energy she felt. “How can I not feel exhausted? My feet are saying they’re tired, but the rest of me is so alive!”
“Ha!” Luc exclaimed. “It’s the music! Studies show it releases endorphins. One would think the dancing would be exhausting, but it becomes energizing.”
He went on to describe some scientific articles he had read about how music activated the brain regions involved in pleasure and reward. “The reward system is rich in dopamine and other neurotransmitters that relieve stress and pain and lead to a sense of well-being.”
He laughed as he parked the car. “I’m sorry if I sound like a psychiatrist now. The subject fascinates me.”
Nora said, “Not at all. I’ve read the same information about how music helps us, but I’ve never put it into practice so much as I have at the dance club. I think I’m a believer!”
Luc picked up her hand and kissed the back of it lightly. “Nora, I will report this to Giselle, and she will be delighted. The world is so messed up right now, we need to spend time in these happy pursuits. I’m so glad you are enjoying our dance nights. Shall we plan for next Friday?”
Luc’s casual yet, to her, romantic gesture when he kissed her hand surprised Nora. For a moment, she wondered if something else might come next. But he just smiled and got out of the car. He ran to the passenger door and opened it for her, holding an umbrella. He put his arm around her waist to keep her close and dry as they walked into the building.
“Next Friday would be lovely. Thank you so much, and?—”
Before she could say anything further, the elevator door opened and a rather inebriated couple stumbled out, wishing them a “bonne nuit.” Nora and Luc laughed on the way up at that surprise and about the fun of the rest of the evening. At her apartment door, Luc kissed her cheeks and touched her face gently. “Bonne nuit, ma belle. Á la prochaine!”
Nora felt a flicker of something unexpected stir within her—a quiet response to the tenderness of his gaze and the warmth in his touch. Her breath caught slightly and when she finally spoke, her voice was soft as she said, “Mille mercis, Luc. Á la prochaine!” The words lingered between them, like a promise.
She closed the door and floated in, just as she had the week before. As she flopped on the sofa, she wondered if all French men were like him. She told herself she would never be involved with such a young man… Or would I?He certainly knew how to awaken feelings she had missed for a very long time.
She wasn’t complaining.
Atticus gave her a joyful welcome home, and Nora was happy she had arranged for Chloe and Oli to take him out for his walk earlier.
ChapterSeventeen
At dinner the previous evening,Nora had warned Chloe not to come early for coffee, as she expected to sleep in after her tango date with Luc.
She found Giselle’s bed extremely comfortable with good support. It was also very cozy, and she snuggled under the fluffy duvet, which felt like a warm cloud draped over her.
Atticus nudged her awake close to nine o’clock. With a loud yawn and luxurious stretch, she got up to give him his breakfast. Then she threw on her jeans, a light sweater, and her down jacket and took him out for a quick potty break.
