Inside, she was relieved to discover that the front desk staff spoke English. The friendly young woman behind the desk gave her a key to a room on the fourth floor and directed Ruby toward the elevator. She rode up and let herself into her room. It was small but pretty, with a double bed in the middle and a window that overlooked the tree-lined street below. A vase of real flowers sat on the desk. She leaned in to smell them, inhaling their rich floral scent before doubling over in a coughing fit.
She sat on the bed, taking slow, shallow breaths until it had eased, wiping away the tears that had formed in the corners of her eyes. She opened her satchel, pulled out a bottle of water, and took a long drink. When she inhaled, mucous rattled in her chest.Dammit.
It had been over a year since she’d had so much as a cold, years since she’d been seriously ill. But, like it or not, she was sick now. She was going to have to see a doctor before this got any worse. Maybe, if she treated it early enough, she could still salvage some of her time in France.
But first, she was going to enjoy lunch in this lovely city. She spent a few minutes settling into her hotel room and then set out. She hadn’t gone two blocks before she stumbled across an adorable-looking café. It even had a table available outside on the patio overlooking the street.
She ordered a salad with a side of fresh bread and leaned back in her chair, satisfied to relax and people-watch for a little while. Her phone dinged with an incoming text message.
How’s the adventure going? Are you still in London?It was from Megan.
Ruby cleared her throat, swallowing past the urge to cough as she texted her back.Just arrived in Paris. She took a picture of the view from her table and sent it to Megan.
Super jealous! I hope you’re having an amazing time.
I am, except I’m getting sick. She inserted a frowny-faced emoji.I think I’m going to have to find a doctor this afternoon.
Her phone immediately began to ring.
“Are you okay?” Megan asked as soon as Ruby had connected the call. “What’s going on?”
“Just a cough,” Ruby told her. “But I’d like to stay ahead of it if I can.”
“Absolutely,” Megan agreed. “I can hear it in your voice. You sound hoarse. Are you sure you want to stay? Maybe you should catch a flight home tonight.”
“I’ll see what the doctor says, but I’m not going to take any unnecessary risks, I promise.” A part of her wanted nothing more than to book the next flight home, but she didn’t want her trip to end like this, not if she could help it.
“I just wish someone was there with you,” Megan said. “Promise me you’ll think about coming home early?”
“I’ll think about it.” Ruby sipped her water. “But it’s just a cough. It’s probably nothing.”
“Maybe.” But Megan didn’t sound convinced, and Ruby could hardly blame her. She’d nursed Ruby through more illnesses than she cared to admit—including several bouts of pneumonia.
“I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know anything, I promise.”
“Okay. So how are things otherwise? You’re still having fun?”
She looked around. The street the café was on looked like something off a postcard. Here and there, she caught snatches of conversations in French. “I am, or at least I was in London. Paris has gotten off to a rocky start, but hopefully I’ll be able to sneak in some sightseeing despite this cough.”
“Your pictures have been so cool,” Megan said. “We’ve all been following along with your trip on social media.”
“I know.” Ruby smiled as she took another sip of water. “You’ve been liking and commenting on my posts like crazy.”
“Well, we’re excited for you. Have you seen Flynn again?”
“No, but I talked to him last night.” A warm tingle spread through her belly at the memory.
“You did? What did you guys talk about?”
“Nothing I can tell you while I’m sitting in public.” Ruby pressed a hand to her cheek, which was flaming hot.
“Oh my God,” Megan squealed into the phone. “Did you guys have phone sex?”
“Yes,” she admitted with an embarrassed giggle, then covered the phone with one hand as she stifled a cough. “It was really hot.”
“Why didn’t he come to Paris with you?”
“I already told you, he’s working, and besides, this trip is supposed to be all about me.”
