2. Romance in Paris

Transcript

The day before Valentine's Day, Julie woke up with a slight headache. Monica was sitting on a yoga mat, stretching. She didn't seem affected at all by going out all night long.

Tell me about Luke. Who is he, and what happened between you? He's so handsome, Julie.

I don't think I've ever seen you so into a guy as long as I've known you. Will you see each other again? So many questions at once, and Julie didn't know where to start.

Monica jumped up, made a coffee, and handed her a cup. She also served her a fresh croissant bought at the bakery after her morning run. Running? Aren't you exhausted from yesterday? Julie ate her croissant and they talked about last night.

About the kissing that made time stop, their conversation, Luke's sexy laugh. Monica, always an optimist, tried to convince her that maybe she did give him her number and just forgot after all the champagne. If not, at least he'll have my address and his Uber history.

He can find us. I don't know where he lives, but he's a doctor. He works at La Salpêtrière, you know, the famous hospital where Princess Diana was taken and died a few hours later?

Wait, he's that good looking and a doctor? You're kidding me. Julie blushed, thinking about how they'd kissed last night.

Had she been right to play it cool and not let things go further? No, it was a good call. She trusted her gut.

He'd seemed so into her, but when you're that good looking and a doctor, women are probably standing in line to date him. Best forget it ever happened. She said goodbye to Monica, who'd lent her a pair of trainers to walk home in, to save the Louboutins and her feet.

It was a gorgeous day, and she decided to walk all the way back to her apartment rather than take the metro. Hmm, maybe she could call Sebastian. He worked as a sommelier at one of the nicest restaurants in Paris.

Sebastian, who always boosted her self-esteem. She knew he wanted her. She sent him a quick text.

Hi, Sebastian. I'm finally here in Paris, and I thought maybe we could get together tonight. Hugs, Julie.

Before long, her phone buzzed. A text from Sebastian. Hi, Jay.

I'd love to, but I've got work tonight. Ah, that figures. Guess she could stay in and actually get some unpacking done.

Her phone buzzes. It's a text from Sebastian again. But you could come by before we close.

Around eleven. She grinned and answered immediately. See you at La Seine tonight, then.

The day seemed to fly by, and while she was looking forward to seeing Sebastian, she spent the day thinking about Luke. What kind of doctor was he? Did he date a lot of women? She paused in the middle of hanging some clothes in her tiny closet.

Was he married? Was he thinking about her like she was thinking about him? As the sun set, Julie was thinking of taking a shower and getting ready to head to La Seine to meet Sebastian.

But instead, she laid down on her bed, thinking again of Luke. His strong, steady hands. The way he'd wrapped his arms around her.

The passionate way he'd kissed. She teased herself a little through her t-shirt, imagining Luke's gorgeous mouth on her nipples. She just couldn't stop thinking about him.

She squeezed her thighs together, getting aroused, imagining her arms grabbing Luke's shoulders and pulling him on top of her. But why was she still thinking about him? She jumped up, hopped into the shower, and prepared herself for the night.

Lavender-laced sexy lingerie and a matching bra was an easy pick, but it took her four outfits before she settled on a look for the night. Tight, high-waisted black jeans with a white sheer blouse and balloon sleeves, her go-to black ankle boots, some jewellery, and a vintage classic Chanel. Very chic.

She looked at the clock. It wasn't even 9pm. Julie decided to explore her new neighbourhood.

She found a nearby bar, where she met a few locals, all in their 70s, who were playing boule and drinking pasties. Between her French and their English, they were able to learn next to nothing about each other, but laughed anyway. After a few hours, and a few glasses of wine bought for her by some very charming older gentlemen, she was on her way to La Seine.

She snuck in just before the door closed to new guests, and sat at the bar on one of the tall, green leather stools. Sebastian was just finishing inventory, and flashed her a welcoming smile. He looked good.

He'd been working out, and she'd forgotten how touchable his long, ash-blonde hair was. He poured her a glass of wine, talking about its provenance. She appreciated the taste, but wasn't sure her palate was refined enough to tell the difference between this high-end Merlot and a much cheaper wine.

She nodded along with Sebastian, trying to forget all the thoughts of Luke. Sebastian was a guy she knew could be hers, not some fantasy. Julie laughed at something Sebastian said when she suddenly felt someone observing her.

She could feel her own heartbeat. There he was. Luke.