“We have to take a picture,” I take my phone out of my bag.
Luca grins. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Okay, smile!”
He leans in close, and right as I click the photo, he presses a soft kiss on my temple.
I smile when I see how perfect it looks.
“I’ve decided my official mission on this trip is to make you blush as much as possible. And smile. And scrunch your nose when you laugh.”
I bite my lip, trying to hide another smile. “Then my mission is to make you laugh more often. You don’t laugh enough.”
“You don’t have to do an awful lot of trying for that T, because your presence alone makes me the luckiest man alive.”
I roll my eyes, but a warmth spreads in my whole stomach.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” I ask after finishing a bite of croissant.
He leans back, sipping his coffee. “Well,” he says, “after breakfast, I thought we could go to the Musée d’Orsay. Then maybe grab lunch by the Seine. And tonight’s the event. Formality, dancing, blah blah.”
“Wait, dancing?” I gasp.
All I know is that it’s a Victorian times style party and I am so excited for it. I have a whole crew to get me ready, and the dress is absolutely stunning.
He grin. “Yeah. I was hoping you’d save me one.”
“Only one?” I tease.
“Maybe two,” he says, eyes glinting. “If you’re nice to me.”
He reaches across the table, brushing his thumb over my hand, and I sigh contentedly.
The view out the big window is stunning, especially since it’s late spring, and everything is blooming.
I’ve never been to Europe, and going with Luca for the first time is everything.
“Tell me what’s going through your beautiful mind.” He strokes my hand, and I snap out of my daydream.
“Jealousy, because what do you mean you could just jump in a car and drive here when you were younger?”
He smiles, eyes flicking up to meet mine. “You know, Ihaveto take you to Italy.”
I swear my heart skips a beat. “You’d take me to Italy?”
It feels very intimate, going to the very country Luca grew up in. Even though he literally lives in my country, it feels special.
“Of course, in fact, Iwilltake you, because there’s no way I’m keeping it from you. You would love Italy, and it would be the best view, you inmycountry.”
“I would love to go with you.”
He smiles and leans closer. “I love you, Tilly Harper.”
“I loveyou, Luca Rossi.”
***
After breakfast, we wander out into the crisp Parisian morning, Luca slipping his hand into mine as it has always belonged there.
