When they finally pulled apart, Lucy was smiling through tears.
"Come on," she said, taking his hand. "I want to show you Paris."
And just like that, the awkwardness disappeared. Because this was still them—Lucy and Jake, together, finding their way back to each other.
The week ahead would be complicated. They'd have to figure out if six months apart had changed them too much. If they still worked in person the way they used to.
But for now, Jake was just grateful to be holding Lucy's hand again.
Everything else could wait.
Chapter 15
Having Jake in Paris felt surreal.
Lucy walked him through the narrow streets of the Marais, pointing out her favorite boulangerie, the café where she got her morning coffee, the tiny grocery store where she'd learned to shop like a local.
"It's incredible," Jake said, looking around at the architecture, the cobblestones, the effortless beauty of it all. "I can't believe you live here."
"I know. Sometimes I wake up and can't believe it either."
They stopped at a café for lunch—a tiny place Lucy had discovered with Amelie. Jake ordered in careful, halting French that made the waiter smile indulgently.
"That was painful," Jake said after the waiter left.
"You're trying. That's what matters."
"How's your French?"
"Better. I'm not fluent but I can order food and ask for directions without embarrassing myself."
"That's impressive. Six weeks ago you could barely say 'croissant.'"
"Six weeks ago I'd been here for three weeks. Now I've been here for two months. It's amazing what immersion does."
They ate croque monsieurs and drank wine in the middle of the day like tourists, and Lucy felt herself relax for the first time in weeks.
This was good. They could do this. Jake being here proved that the distance hadn't destroyed them.
After lunch, Lucy took Jake to Le Cordon Bleu. She'd gotten permission from Chef Laurent to show him around, though the chef had made his opinion of "romantic visitors during intensive study" extremely clear.
"This is where the magic happens," Lucy said, leading Jake into the main teaching kitchen.
It was beautiful—all stainless steel and professional equipment, windows overlooking a small courtyard. Several students were practicing, and they looked up when Lucy and Jake entered.
"Lucy!" Amelie called from across the kitchen. "This is the boyfriend?"
"This is Jake. Jake, this is Amelie."
Amelie wiped her hands on her apron and shook Jake's hand enthusiastically. "Finally! Lucy talks about you constantly. We were beginning to think you were imaginary."
"I'm very real," Jake said, smiling.
James appeared from the back room. "Is this the famous Jake? The one who turned down the NHL for true love?"
"I didn't—that's not exactly—" Jake looked at Lucy. "You told them that?"
"I might have mentioned it."
