‘Obviously I would’ve preferred not to have been sick this morning, but actually coming up here now was a great idea. Look at that gorgeous sunset!’ Laila said as she took in the orange, pink and gold sky.
‘Photos?’ I asked.
‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry about the other day at Notre-Dame and the day we visited the museum. I was trying to do the right thing. I thought it’d be wrong to take photos with you. I felt guilty.’
‘And now?’
‘I still feel guilty, but I’ve wanted to come here for so long that I need to just enjoy the experience. I want to look back on this moment without any regrets.’
‘I am very happy to hear that.’
I held up my phone and snapped some selfies.
Laila and I did some funny poses, pulling faces and pointing and gasping at the views.
‘That is the funny photos done,’ I said. ‘Now we need some more romantic ones. Any suggestions?’
‘Not really,’ she shrugged. ‘You?’
‘I have many. But I am not sure that you will agree with them.’
‘Try me.’
‘Well, of course the most romantic thing to do at the top of La Tour Eiffel is to share a kiss.’
I knew I was being bold by saying this, but she had asked, so I told her.
And I always went for what I wanted.
There was a chance that she could refuse and give the same excuses she had mentioned dozens of times before.
But I also sensed that something had shifted between us, so there was also a chance she would agree.
Andthatwas the outcome I was hoping for…
25
LAILA
Shit…
Gabriel had just asked if I wanted to kiss him.
My brain whirred, my heart pounded against my chest and my pulse raced.
I didn’t know what to say.
I knew what Ishouldsay: ‘No way!’ followed by spouting the same damn speech I’d been giving all week: that Gabriel was too young for me.
Then I should remind him for the billionth time that he was my best friend’s son,blah, blah, blah.
But here’s the thing:fighting my feelings for him wasexhausting. Especially when it was clear that he was a good guy.
No.Not just a good guy. He was amazing.
Andhewantedme.
Do you know how incredible that felt?
