Phoenix looked at Orchid. “How about us?” he asked.
“Us?”What a beautiful concept.
“Would you like a picture together?” he clarified.
She nodded, and offered her cell phone to her newfound friend. “Would you kindly return the favor?”
Orchid tucked beside her Adonis and faced the French couple.
The woman took a few shots… and then paused. She gestured for them to reduce their distance.
Phoenix leaned towards Orchid and she slipped an arm around his torso. She felt her body tingle.
The photographer smiled at the image on the phone screen, and then urged, “Closer!” until they were practically embracing.
It struck Orchid that they could’ve been performing the tango, with Phoenix about to dip her. The woman snapped a few more shots, then commanded, “Kiss.”
Startled, Orchid peered up to assess Phoenix’s reaction. At the same time, he leaned down to meet her cheek. Her movement made him miss his target, and land at the corner of her mouth.
His lips were tender.
A feeling coursed through her until her knees wobbled. This close, any conscious thoughts were eviscerated by the golden flecks swimming in his blue eyes.
The woman stepped closer and returned the phone. Orchid stared at it, but hardly saw it. Her brain was processing what had just happened.He loves me, she thought. “We’re just friends,” Orchid quickly announced, as if clarifying as much for herself as for him.
The women tittered, then rushed off, arm in arm with her partner.
“They seemed nice,” Phoenix said. Orchid nodded. She scrolled through their pictures, aware that his head was close to hers, so he could view them as well. His breath warmed her collar bone. In each pose—whether they were smiling, hugging, or near-kissing—their faces emanated pure joy.
“I guess she assumed that people at the Wall of I Love You would be a couple,” she said.
His lips compressed, as he seemed to try to quell an expression of pleasure. “Have you seen enough? Want to head out? Grab a bite?”
“I’m ready to go, but I’m not hungry yet. How about you?”
“I’m okay, too.”
They retraced their path, passing tourists heading towards the mural.
“That wall’s such a great concept. Have you been here before? With… a girlfriend?”
“You’re the first woman I’ve toured Paris with,” he replied.
“Would your girlfriend be jealous, knowing we’re here this weekend?” As soon as she asked the question, she wished she hadn’t. She and Phoenix were not a couple, they were business associates. Business associates who just happened to share a bit of mutual attraction.
“No idea. Completely theoretical question, since there’s no girlfriend.”
“You mean… since Tish?”
“Yup. Since Tish. How about you, Ms. Twenty Questions?”
“Me? I’m single as pie. Bad breakup last year.”
“Sorry to hear that.” The lightness in his voice didn’t sound sorry.
“Thanks,” she said.
Prancing down this Parisian path with Phoenix, Orchid didn’t feel sorry either. Not one whit.
