AllFreeNovel
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“Right.” I force a smile, going into the bathroom. I make it a point to take my time and wait an extra five minutes before I exit. Relief fills me when I don’t see Ryan. Maybe he went into the men’s room. I quickly try to get far enough away before he comes out, hoping he doesn’t have luggage to claim. I attempt to pack light, but I’m terrible at it.
I rub my eyes when I finally get through customs to find my bag. I yawn, hoping the hotel isn’t too far. Someone brushes against me, grabbing my attention.
“Sorry, did you drop this?” the handsome dark-haired man asks. I swear I’ve met him before. I’m sure of it. But I can’t place him. He holds my phone out to me.
“Oh, thank you.” I take it from him. “I would be lost without it.”
“You should be more careful.” His tone is ominous.
“Do I know you?” I don’t know if it’s because I’ve had too many drinks, but I reach up and try to touch a small scar under his left jaw. He catches my hand by the wrist before I can. “Sorry.” I try to pull my hand back, but he doesn’t let go.
“I think I’ve seen you around too.” He releases his hold on me. I should know better after him grabbing me by the wrist, but still I go on and run my finger along the small scar. “It’s familiar.” He swallows. His Adam's apple bobs.
“We were on the same flight,” he points out. Right, but still thoughts of seeing him before linger in my mind. There is something so familiar about his dark eyes. To many people, he might appear to blend in, but there is something very alluring about him. Different. I love different. My whole life has always been staged.
“Any of these yours?” He motions to the luggage that has started to drop down.
“That one!” I point, going to get it, but he beats me to it.
“It’s awfully big.”
“I might have a small thing for clothes,” I admit with a giggle. He rolls my bag for me.
“Where are you headed if you don’t mind me asking?”
“La Réserve.”
“Me too.”
“It must be really popular. You’re the second person to tell me that.” I smile at him. He really is handsome, and I don’t think it’s all the champagne I’ve had.
“Share a ride?” he offers, motioning to one of the taxis waiting outside. I really want to say yes. He leans in closer. “You’ve had a few drinks. A taxi is safe and straight to the hotel. I’ll rest better knowing you got there safely.”
“Okay,” I blurt out.
What if this is it? My Paris love moment? I can’t shy away from that. He starts to load our bags into the car before opening the back passenger door for me.
“I don’t even know your name.” I laugh.
“Call me Finn.”
“I like it. I bet it’s short for something.”
“Something like that. In you go, Georgia.” I slip into the back of the car not recalling if I told him my name or not but between the champagne and the altitude, who knows at this point? Finn gets into the other side and tells the driver where we’re going.
My eyes drift between the handsome man in the back seat with me and out the window. It’s late, but the city is still lit up. This is the part of traveling somewhere new that I love: seeing all the landmarks for the first time. But my eyes are drawn to him.
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
“Yes.” When I glance over to him, he’s watching me.
“My first time.”
“Really?” He sounds surprised.
“I guess I wanted to experience it with someone.” I don’t know why I felt the need to slip that in.
“How long are you here?”
