“Like all things, it takes practice.” And she had a feeling they’d be getting a lot of practice over the next week, both at the game and at playing house here in Paris. How was she ever going to let him go when the time came?
12
“Will you stop fussing?”
Flynn raised his hands in surrender as Ruby huffed past him into the stairwell. Part of him wanted an excuse to sweep her into his arms and carry her down the way he’d done the first time they’d gone to the park together, but that had been over a week ago, and she was much better now, almost entirely recovered, in fact. And he was so glad for it, despite it meaning their time together was coming to an end.
“Have you got your mask?” he asked as Ruby pushed open the door that led onto the street.
“Yes,” she told him with exaggerated sweetness. He knew she appreciated his fussing as much as she also felt frustrated by it. “I’ll put it on when we get there.”
“Perfect.” He stepped ahead of her to the car idling at the curb and spoke briefly with the driver, confirming their itinerary for the day before opening the rear door for Ruby.
She slid inside with a smile, energy and excitement radiating off her. Yesterday, she’d finished her antibiotics and been given a clean bill of health by the doctor she’d been seeing here in France. Her immune system was still compromised, and her lungs were weak, so she had to take it easy, but more or less, she was back to the same Ruby he’d met at Theo’s wedding almost three weeks ago.
“You know, hanging out with you does have its perks,” she told him with a wink as the car slid away from the curb.
“I’m glad.” Public transportation was out of the question while she was so vulnerable to germs, so he’d chartered a car to take them around the city today. In fact, he’d spared no expense to make sure they enjoyed a fun but quiet day that in no way risked her health.
“And I’m not just talking about the fancy car,” she said, her tone gone serious.
“I know.”
“I wish I didn’t have to go home tomorrow. I mean…I’m so ready to go home, but I’ll miss you.”
“About that,” he said. “My father has a business associate in Washington DC that he asked me to check in with before I head to Dubai. How would you feel about me flying over with you? We could spend a night together in Virginia before I head up to DC.”
Ruby gave him a wide smile, eyes brimming with affection. “I would love that.”
“All right, then.”
She hadn’t mentioned a long-distance relationship again since the afternoon he’d shown her the plans for Aidan’s house, but he felt her mood dampen every time either of them mentioned going home. In truth, he felt the same way. He wished they could live in this faux domestic bliss forever. But, at the same time, he was already itching to get moving again, to get back to Wales and check in with Aidan, to get on with his project in Dubai. And that was exactly the reason he could never ask Ruby to take a chance on him, no matter how much it would hurt to let her go.
She chattered excitedly the rest of the way to the Eiffel Tower, practically bouncing in her seat. When the car slid to a stop in front of the grand lawns that led to the landmark, she let out a little gasp. “Wow. It looks…smaller than I was expecting.”
“I thought the same thing the first time I saw it.”
Dutifully, she reached into her bag and put on the purple mask they’d gotten at the pharmacy earlier that week. It covered her nose and mouth, protecting her from germs. Still, they weren’t going inside any public spaces today that might put her at risk. He gathered the bag containing their picnic and climbed out of the car, coming around to open her door for her.
“A girl could get used to this, you know.” She gripped his hand as she stood, eyes darting around to take in their surroundings.
“Perhaps American men need to try harder to impress.”
“Oh, they definitely do. Let’s go a little closer before we spread out our blanket.” She led the way across the grass, a bounce in her step that he hadn’t seen since the day they’d spent together in London.
They chose an open spot on the grass and laid everything out for their picnic. Today, they’d brought sandwiches from the deli down the street.
“How long will you be in Dubai?” Ruby asked as she ate, having taken the mask off for the task.
“About six months.”
“That’s a long time. I hope you like it there.”
“I do too.”
“I’ll be glad to get back to Rosemont Castle,” she said, a wistful note creeping into her tone.
“I bet.”
