My chest feels warm, like someone has lit a candle inside. “Nine days in Paris,” I murmur. “That’s movie-level romantic, Luca.”
“Guess I’m your lead man now.”
“I couldn’t be more thankful.”
“What’s the first thing you wanna do when we get there?” he asks.
“Eat something ridiculous and overpriced,” I say instantly. “Preferably with a view of the Eiffel Tower.”
He grin. “Done.” He leans forward, brushing a kiss against my temple. “You have no idea how excited I am for this.”
I melt into him.“It feels unreal. Like we’re living in someone else’s love story.”
He chuckles. “Nope. This one’s very much ours.”
***
“Paris!” Yana shrieks at breakfast, practically flinging her fork into the air. “That is so cute. You must take a billion pictures and then make a photobook to show your grandchildren.”
I laugh, nearly spilling my coffee. “I don’t think we’re thinking that far ahead yet.”
Total lie.
“Actually, scratch that,” she says, leaning across the table with a mischievous grin. “Take me with you. I’m fine with third-wheeling. I’ll be your photographer. Professional quality, obviously.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure, Yana, your relentless paparazzi skills are exactly what we need.”
“I told you,” Zara pipes up, smirking, “he’s totally your Peter Kavinsky.”
“Peter who?” Luca’s face goes from sleepy to horrified in a split second. “Who isthat? ”
I giggle. “Calm down, he’s just a guy from a romance movie. We were watching it yesterday. Nothing to be jealous of, I promise.”
“Here, don’t tell me you don’t recognize him,” Yana says, pulling out her phone. She shoves a photo of Noah Centineo in front of Luca.
He squints at it. “Nope. Still looks like some guy.”
“What! You literally bought me the books in America!”
He looks annoyed at himself, and I hate the flutters in my stomach. “You aretotallywatching the movies with me.”
“You guys could do a movie night in Paris and binge-watch all the movies!” Yana adds, eyes sparkling. “Eiffel Tower in the background, croissants in hand. Very aesthetic.”
“I’m also clueless,” Matt says around a mouthful of eggs, “but… You want to have a movie night with me, too?”
“Sure, but I pick the movies.” Yana smiles.
“Deal. You have great movie taste,” he winks at her.
Zara leans back, smirking at the two of us. “You know, Paris sounds way more romantic than my room right now, but I wouldn’t trade this chaos for the world.”
“Yeah,” I said softly, glancing at Luca. “It’s kind of perfect, isn’t it?”
“Perfect.”
I smile, feeling a warmth that has nothing to do with the sun pouring through the window.
Paris is waiting.
