But yes, it is a good idea.
I can do this.Wecan do this.
"This means the world to me," I reply, not wanting him to feel like I'm taking charge.
He runs his hand through his hair, looks at his watch, around the square, at me, back to the watch, and finally nods to the right. "Over there?"
Silently, I shake my head, my heart galloping.
"Then where?" He looks around. "There's no other caricaturist here."
Is he just pretending to be clueless, or is he really unaware?
I let my eyes wander over the square, and I spot Sky hiding behind a tree, just as we had planned. She gives me a thumbs-up.
I'm ready, that means.
Oh, God.
"Aurora?" Maxime shakes me.
Before, I wouldn't have shown him my nervousness, but today, he can see it. I press my hand against my stomach. "I'll be right back, wait here," I stutter, then rush toward the wrought-iron railing that separates the square from the green area.
"I really don't have any more time," he calls after me, but I don't respond.
Torn between fear and hope, I climb over the fence and disappear into the darkness. I run straight to Sky. She has my white summer dress ready, just as planned. Despite the mild May evening, I shiver all over as I put it on in the shelter of the trees.
"I can't do this," I say, standing before my friend when I'm dressed.
She smiles encouragingly, her green eyes sparkling. "Go get him back," she says, giving me a gentle nudge.
Can it even work? Haven't I taken on something here that is simply impossible?
The ground sways beneath my feet, but I stagger back and climb over the fence. My knees go weak as soon as my shoes touch the square in front of Sacré-Cœur.
I cling to the railing, searching for him.
Where is he?
I don't see him where I left him.
Did he leave? Without saying goodbye—just like I did back then?
Please, no.
Suddenly, my nausea takes a back seat. The dizziness doesn't matter anymore, nor does the fact that my legs can barely carry me.
I stumble across the square, pushing through the dense crowd of tourists, passing a street artist disguised as a statue. I keeplooking around, stretching to spot Maxime in the tightly packed crowd, but I can't find him.
Has he given up on us? Before I even …
Tears of desperation well up, yet I keep pushing through the crowd. A group of Japanese tourists blocks my path, but they immediately form a lane for me as soon as I get their attention.
I walk through and see that the square behind is at least a bit less crowded. Just a second later, I realize the tree canopies are too close. I have reached the other end of the square. Panic sets in, and I quickly turn around, maneuvering through the crowd again until it thins out.
At that moment, Maxime comes into view. The warm light of the setting sun falls on his chiseled features. His eyes roam over my outfit, and my nervousness returns instantly. He knows.
He knows what I intend to do. Will he also understand what it means?
