“So lunch wasn’t a complete waste of time, then. If you want my opinion, he should apologize and admit he was wrong.”
Paul picked up Mia’s glass and drained it.
“You’ve already had enough to drink, and I’m thirsty. Don’t give me that butter-wouldn’t-melt look. I can see it in your eyes. Let me give you a ride home.”
“No, I’ll take a cab.”
Paul picked up the bill from the table.
“Six glasses? Well, there you go . . .”
“I’m not even drunk!”
“Stop disagreeing with everything I say. I’m taking you home, and that’s all there is to it.”
He led Mia to his car. She staggered a little on the pavement. He put her in the Saab’s passenger seat before climbing in behind the wheel.
They drove in silence to Rue Poulbot. Paul parked in front of the apartment building and got out.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked, opening the door for her.
“The atmosphere’s a bit tense, but we’ve had arguments before. It’ll pass.”
“I meant, are you okay to climb the stairs?”
“I’ve had a few glasses of champagne. That doesn’t make me drunk!”
“I’m leaving Paris at the end of the week,” he said, looking at the ground.
“So soon?”
“I told you already: the trip was moved up. Next time, try listening to men when they talk to you.”
Mia elbowed him in the ribs.
“We can’t let that lunch be the last time we see each other.”
“When exactly are you leaving?”
“Friday morning.”
“What time?”
“The flight is at eleven thirty a.m. We could have dinner the night before, but I’m sure you’re working . . .”
“It would be a little sad, right before you leave. How about Wednesday?”
“Wednesday works for me. Any particular place you’d like to try?”
“Your place. Eight o’clock.”
Mia kissed Paul on the cheek, opened the front door, turned around, smiled, and disappeared inside the building.
The apartment lay in darkness. Mia swore as she bumped into a chair, narrowly avoided the coffee table, walked into and then straight back out of a cupboard, and finally made it to her room. She slid between the sheets and fell asleep.
Paul opened a cupboard when he got home too. He hesitated between two suitcases, chose the smaller, and put it at the foot of his bed. For most of the night, he sat in front of his computer, trying to find the right words. At about three in the morning, he sent an email to Kyong, reminding her of his flight number and his arrival time. Then he went to bed.
Daisy was sitting at the breakfast table. When Mia came out of her room, Daisy poured her a cup of tea and told her to sit down.
