‘Why didn’t you let me pay?’ she said as we stood outside a café. ‘I should at least pay half!’
‘Do not worry.’
‘But…’
‘We should get lunch,non?’ I said, changing the subject.
‘I’m buying!’ she jumped in.
‘I am afraid that will not be possible. According to this text, the hotel has already arranged it.’ I held my phone up to show her a message that had come through from the Love Alchemists to say that we had the choice of dining at three different restaurants and they would settle the bill on our behalf.
‘That’s good of them,’ Laila said. ‘We can have lunch there, but later you have to let me buyyousome ice cream or a coffee.’
I loved Laila’s determination to pay her own way.
Even before my app started making money, my ex expected me to cover everything. And the more money I made, the higher her expectations became.
I knew that I should tell Laila that I had sold my app, but I had noticed that people treated you differently when they realised you had money.
Perhaps Laila would be more open to something happening between us during our hotel stay if she did not believe I was a poor man trying to make it in the business world, so it might work in my favour. But there was also a risk that it would make her uncomfortable. And as I could not predict how she would react, I decided that for now, it was better to say nothing at all.
‘Deal.’ I went to hold out my hand for her to shake again, but then I realised that she was still holding it. Laila noticed at the same time and swiftly pulled away.
‘I…’ Her eyes widened. ‘We should, go. I’m starving.’
During lunch, we chatted easily. We laughed about our drawings and took silly photos holding the professional sketch in one hand, our own attempts in the other and putting our face in between the two. We marvelled at how delicious the food was then Laila threatened not to talk to me again unless I let her buy us ice cream for dessert.
‘I will agree to your demands,’ I smiled, ‘but first I must take you to see something.’
‘Where?’
‘ToLe mur des je t’aime, which is theI Love You Wallin English.’
‘Oh, that sounds romantic.’ Laila swallowed hard. ‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea, given the circumstances.’
‘Do not worry. You will not be required to kiss me against the wall or declare your undying love for me. Unless you want to, of course…’ A mischievous smile touched my lips.
‘What? No, I wouldn’t?—’
‘Je plaisante!’ I grinned. ‘I am joking! It is a nice place to visit and it will help us to earn extra points. You want to win, don’t you?’
‘Course! Although…’ She paused. ‘I’m still not sure how long I’ll be staying.’
‘Are you not having a good time?’ My face fell.
‘I’m having anamazingtime!’ Laila replied quickly.
‘So why would you leave?’
‘Because…’
‘If you are about to mention my mother again, then I ask respectfully that you do not. I know you believe that she is an angel, but she has no right to pass judgement on anyone.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘We are here.’ I pointed to the square by the Place des Abbesses Metro, thinking I was glad that we had arrived now so that I would not have to answer Laila’s question about my mother. ‘Come.’ I led her over to the wall which was covered in dark blue tiles with white writing.
‘Oh, wow.’ Laila moved past a crowd of tourists gathered in front of us to an empty spot so that she could get a closer look. ‘So I’m guessing somewhere on here it says, I love you? Not thatIloveyou, I mean, the phrase.’
