Page 79 of The Substitute Fiancée

“For being you. For being here.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

That evening, we have dinner just the two of us. A gourmet meal ordered from a Michelin-starred chef. Candles. A sparkling Christmas tree. Paris glowing beyond the bay windows. I love everything about this evening. The simplicity. The intimacy. Just us.

After dessert, Alexander comes back with a package.

“I wanted to give you your gift tonight.”

I unwrap it slowly and discover a 12-inch iPad Pro, with stylus and keyboard. I’m speechless.

“So you can look for inspiration anywhere. And draw whenever you want,” he says.

Tears well in my eyes.

“You’re crazy…”

I kiss him, overwhelmed.

“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”

In turn, I hand him an envelope. A race car drawn in black ink. On the back, a card: High-performance driving course.

“You remembered…”

“Yes.”

His smile is worth all the gold in the world.

That night, when he makes love to me, everything is different. It’s both tender and passionate. As if every gesture were saying: I see you. I choose you.

And in the darkness, entwined, I understand that happiness isn’t about grand gestures.

It’s this.

These moments.

This certainty of being chosen.

Again. And again.

At least, that’s what I believed.

26. The Delaunays

Samantha

On Christmas morning, I’m finishing breakfast with Alexander when my mother calls. I mute my phone and pour myself another cup of coffee. There was a time when I would have answered on the first ring. But why make them my priority when I’m clearly not theirs?

Alexander,who seems to read my thoughts, comes over and wraps his arms around me. I let myself sink into his warmth. A notification tells me my mother has left a voicemail. Then a text.

Mom: I hope you’re coming for lunch today as planned.

I frown. Since when does my family expect me for lunch today?

I text Andrew. His reply comes almost immediately.

Andrew: One of her friends canceled. There will be thirteen of us at the table.