I stopped and took in a deep breath. I could handle this. I opened my phone and attempted to connect to the app I’d downloaded for emergencies like this, but I had no cell service on my broken phone.
None.
Zero.
Zip.
I stuffed my cell phone back in my bag and adjusted it in front of me. It didn’t help hearing all the pickpocket rumors floating around endlessly. By this point in my day everyone was suspect in my book: the cute little kindergartener with the pigtails, lying in wait; the cute teenager flirting with his girlfriend, probably a ruse; and the sexy man who winked at me, just trying to distract me. It was definitely time to get my paranoid self home. I stared directly in front of me and started walking more briskly. Spotting what I’d hoped was a Metro station, I booked toward the sign. It wasn’t until I arrived that I realized it wasn’t a train station entrance, but there was a map.
I stared at the unfamiliar plotted course in front of me with the familiar large, red circle and the words, vous êtes ici sprawled on the map again. I’d come to know that phrase well.
You are here.
I sighed.
“Yes, I know I am here, but I don’t know how to get there,” I muttered, staring futilely at the map.
Unsure of how many hours I’d been wandering around, I began to feel a sense of panic take over. My stomach growled, and I laughed aloud as I found a bench and sat down. Plopping my bags next to me, I’d vowed not to touch the food I’d bought for dinner.
But my stomach sounded like a herd of elephants, and my feet were aching. I glanced up and down the street amazed that I’d somehow found the one street in Paris without any patisseries or cafés. There was not a single person on the street.
I wiggled my toes and attempted to get the blood flowing again as I glanced at one of the rolls sticking out of a bag. I was better than that. I wasn’t going to eat our dinner. I was going to find a Metro station, figure out what trains to take, and find my way back to our apartment. That was going to be the plan.
I licked my dry lips and let out a sigh. This was torture. I was exhausted, thirsty, and hungry all while being lost in a city that prided itself on glorious food and drink, and somehow I managed to get lost in the one part of the city that had neither. Straightening out my legs, I let my feet float in the air as I figured out what to do. The blisters started throbbing and I knew I’d had it. I was done. I needed someone to pick me up off the streets of Paris.
The city had won.
I didn’t have enough money for a cab since I’d used all my cash to buy the food, and I had no idea where a cab stop was anyhow. Hopefully, I had enough cash to ride the Metro. That couldn’t be much… Could it? I guess it depended on how far away I’d gotten myself.
I glanced around the neighborhood once again and seeing no one, I lifted out the bottle of wine and untwisted the cap. Feeling completely dehydrated and hopeless, I took several big gulps, allowing the wine to wet my whistle just enough. I sighed and placed it back in the bag, propping it up enough so it wouldn’t fall over. I grabbed a roll and ate it so quickly that by the time I was on the third one I was ashamed. It didn’t help that I took a couple more sips of wine to wash it down.
It also didn’t help that only bread and wine weren’t a good mixture so I opened the jar of olives and began nibbling them to settle my stomach. Not wanting to eat them all, I put the lid back on and went in for the meat. I glanced around the street again and went in for the wine. I was starting to feel human again. Granted, I couldn’t walk, but at least I wouldn’t die of dehydration or hunger. I shoved everything into the bags and sat back on the bench. Without realizing it, my eyes had closed and it wasn’t until I heard his voice that I realized I’d fallen asleep.
“Bonjour.”
Hearing Aaron’s voice made my world come absolutely alive. My eyes flashed open, and I no longer felt defeated and exhausted as I sprang to my feet.
Aaron stood on the sidewalk, grinning as his eyes traveled along my body, taking in the mess I’d become while walking around aimlessly for hours.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“I tracked where your phone last pinged. When I came downstairs and saw that you still hadn’t returned, I figured something might be wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I lied. “I was getting to know the city better.”
His brow arched, and even he couldn’t help the smile that landed on his lips as he reached over and dusted the breadcrumbs off my shirt. It only took another step for him to bring me into his embrace and press his lips to mine.
“You taste like wine,” he murmured.
“I was thirsty.”
“Did you see the verdict?” he asked, stepping back. His expression was solemn and my entire body became rigid with fear.
“My phone isn’t working. Should I sit?”
Aaron nodded, and I knew my world was about to be forever changed.
Aaron and I had ridden in a cab back to the apartment the night before. It turned out I’d been wandering the streets of Paris for over five hours, and my feet had the proof to show for it. I was barely able to sleep as I waited anxiously for the sentencing. The verdict had come in last night, but none of us knew how long he’d spend behind bars. I woke up early and Aaron rose with me to hear the news. I quickly scrolled through my messages and found the one I’d been waiting for.
“He was sentenced to three-hundred and twenty months,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief. The maximum sentence for attempted murder in the first. I expected to feel glee and relief, but I think I was still in shock. I handed Aaron the phone, and he read aloud the same words, and it didn’t seem any more real coming from his lips.
I’d spent so long not getting my hopes up, that now I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that Derek was going away for a very long time. There was no resolution with his accomplice on the outside, but my hope was that his cousin would plead guilty and get it over with. I doubted it would be that simple, but I could hope.
“You’re handling the news really well,” Aaron said, rubbing my back.
I shook my head, my hair falling out of my ponytail. “I don’t think I believe it’s really over. I’ve been waiting so long for something to go wrong that now that it has gone right I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, I think a celebratory dinner is in order,” Aaron said, smiling. He looked so reassured and at ease with the news, and I still felt wound up tight as a rope.
“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. I wonder if Ayden or anyone even knows. They might have gotten on the plane before the verdict or sentencing was read.”
“Yeah. I don’t know. You better write to your mom so she knows you got the good news,” Aaron said, pulling a shirt over his head. “I’m going to go make us breakfast.”
I sat up and let the feelings of ease replace the torment I’d gotten so used to.
“We only have two hours before we meet them at the airport,” I called to Aaron as I crawled out of bed. “I can’t believe they’re actually going to be here soon, and my brother’s going to be engaged.”
Aaron laughed. “You’re assuming she’s going to say yes.”
“Hey, she’d be crazy not to marry him.”
I slipped into my terrycloth robe and wandered into the kitchen where Aaron was slicing some of the leftover ham from the night before and scrambling eggs.
“I’m making us some breakfast sandwiches.”
“You’re getting pretty clever with breakfasts,” I teased.
“Better enjoy it while we’re here. I have a feeling once we get back to Seattle, there’ll be no rest for the weary or wicked or both.”
“However that goes,” I laughed, taking a seat at the table as Aaron brought over a cup of French-pressed coffee. I took a sip and let the warmth trickle down my throat. “Can you believe tomorrow is your show?”
He shook his head. “Not really. I’ve got to go over there this afternoon.”
“Well,
I’m sure no one will mind. They’ll probably need rest after the flight anyway.”
Aaron grabbed a plate and made a sandwich out of the bread, cheese and warm slices of ham. He cut it in half and brought it over to me.
“Looks absolutely delicious.”
He walked back into the kitchen and prepared a sandwich for himself before coming over and taking a seat next to me.
“Not that this trip hasn’t been absolutely thrilling,” he teased. “But I’m really looking forward to going home early.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Me too. I think I’m set for traveling for a while. Not that I didn’t love every second of being here.”
“Oh, of course. How could a person not love Paris?” he teased.
“So I still need to see the damn catacombs and the Eiffel Tower,” I mused, wondering if we’d be able to fit them in with our company or if it would be by ourselves.
“Definitely.”
“And we only got through a quarter of the Louvre…”
Aaron smiled and nodded. “We’ll definitely make it through the rest.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He took a bite of the sandwich, and so did I.
And that’s when I realized the weight that had been hanging on my heart had finally started to flutter away. The thoughts of a mad man were slowly drifting to another place and becoming a distant memory. Things were going to be okay. I was going to be okay and law school was going to be okay. And we were going to be more than okay.
Aaron leaned back in the chair and studied me as I chewed the last bite and I scowled at him, not enjoying the attention. I swallowed and waved my hand in front of him. “Not when I’m eating.”
“You’re just so beautiful.” His eyes twinkled, and I hoped he’d never stop believing that.
I couldn’t believe it. Ayden, Lily, Gabby, and Jason were right in front of me in Paris. The girls wrapped their arms around my neck, crashing into one another. They, no doubt, had heard the news.
“We’re so happy for you,” Lily gushed. “This is huge. That scumbag deserves life if you ask me, but I guess we’ll take the maximum.”
She stepped back and Ayden gave me a great big hug. “So happy to see you, knucklehead.”
“Still with the knucklehead?” I groused.
“Yup. It might change to aunt knucklehead someday, but it’ll still be there.”
I narrowed my eyes as Jason gave me a hug. “Congrats, hun. You deserve it. You’ve been to hell and back.”
I smiled and blushed. “We’ve all got something.”
Aaron squeezed my shoulder and was beaming. I caught him trading looks with Ayden, and I loved that I was in on the secret. By the looks of everything, Lily was completely oblivious and I planned on keeping it that way. It was pretty easy, considering I had no idea when Ayden was going to pop the question.
“So your hotel is literally one block up from our apartment. You’re going to love it,” I gushed. “Aaron has to go to the gallery to check on things this afternoon, and I wanted to go with him because I’m just too nosey, but I thought that would give you guys some time to rest before we go to dinner.”
“Totally,” Jason said. “Between leaving Katie with Carla and the flight, I’m exhausted.”
I glanced at Gabby. “She didn’t want to be left?”
“No way.”
“That’s still too bad about everything. I thought you started the whole process soon enough so that she was allowed to come,” I said, helping with Gabby’s luggage.
Gabby blushed and dropped her gaze. I wanted to ask, but I kept quiet as we walked to their waiting car.
“So here’s our address. Aaron thinks we’ll be back to the apartment around six o’clock. Beep us and we’ll let you up. We’re on the sixth floor.”
They shoved all their luggage into the car and piled in. I wasn’t sure they were going to fit, but they made it and we sent them on their way.
Our car was still waiting for us, and we slowly walked over to it. “Well, that was a whirlwind. I feel bad for shoving them in the car and ditching them.”
Aaron laughed and opened the back door of our car and I slid in. Aaron gave our driver the address of the gallery and we were off.
It was a short drive, about fifteen real minutes, until we arrived at the door of the gallery. I saw a few people hovering around and didn’t realize what was going on until it was too late. As soon as we stepped out of the car, the flashes were going off and bits of English and French were being shouted at Aaron and I as we walked to the gallery. It was the most bizarre sensation I’d ever encountered. Since I had no idea what they were saying, it made it easy to ignore them as we bolted inside. The moment the door shut, the shouts went silent, and I was awestruck by what was directly in front of me.
Aaron’s sculptures belonged here. They stood impressive in size and expression. The pieces were astounding, and it was empowering seeing Aaron’s manifestations of temperament and art tower over the otherwise dull room.
Mr. Sennet walked into the space, offering apologies about the press. I doubt he knew who was behind the tipoff to the paparazzi, but regardless, I was still shocked any showed up. I don’t think either Aaron or I really thought they would.
“So what do you think?” Gregory asked, clapping his hands as we walked around the first sculpture.
“Gorgeous,” I whispered.
“They’re certainly a commanding presence,” Aaron said.
“We had a private showing for some of our top collectors. They bid on every single piece. We’ll see how much higher we can get them after the opening.” His eyes almost sparkled with dollar signs, and I realized he very well might have known about his daughter’s antics with the paparazzi.
We spent the next several hours going over the setup and timeline for tomorrow night’s events. When we finally left, the paparazzi were no longer waiting outside, and we were able to climb right into our waiting vehicle without hassle.
We made it back to the apartment barely in time to get settled before my brother and friends buzzed their way into our apartment.
Lily was beyond excited and Gabby was a close second. They rushed into the apartment thrilled to tell me something, but they stopped short when they saw the place.
“Wow. So this is where you’ve been spending your time?” Lily gawked.
“Most of it,” I confessed. “But Aaron rented a chateau outside the city last week for us. We even went horseback riding.”
“Showoff,” Jason muttered, as he slapped Aaron on the back. “You’re making the rest of us look bad.”
Aaron’s laughter filled the room, and he shook his head. “Believe me, I need all the victories I can get.”
I rolled my eyes, but placed a kiss on his cheek as we walked into the living room and everyone took a seat.
“So something tells me you didn’t rest in your hotel rooms,” Aaron said, glancing at Jason who looked exhausted.
“Nope. No rest for the weary,” Lily said.
I eyed Aaron and we couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” she prodded.
“I don’t even know. So come on spill the beans. What did you manage to fit in this afternoon?” I asked, eager to hear about their first day in Paris.
“You’re not going to believe it,” Gabby gushed. “It is the coolest thing I think I’ve ever seen, like ever.”
“Come on,” I said, laughing.
“The catacombs. We got to see the catacombs,” Lily exclaimed. “Have you seen them yet?”
“You’re kidding right?” I asked.
“Yeah. You’ve got to be joking,” Aaron said, grinning.
“Why would I joke about that?” Lily asked confused.
I let out a groan and threw the first pillow I could find right at her.
Aaron was cracking up, and I just kept tossing pillows at poor Lily while Gabby started chucking them back.
“Do you realize how many times I’ve tried to g
et into see those skulls?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” Lily said, laughing in between breaths. “But they’re really cool.”
The night was absolutely magical. Our friends came over early to have a celebratory cocktail before we all went to the gallery. It was so much fun to be with my best friends, dressed in cocktail dresses and playing pretend for an evening in Paris.
I was holding up my martini and toasting Jason, Gabby and Ayden as Lily ate some of the leftover olives from my afternoon out on the town. Aaron was standing behind me dressed in a tuxedo that fit him in all the right places. I was dressed in a sapphire blue dress that hugged my curves and made me feel like I was royalty.
“Hate to break it to you, but we should probably get going,” Aaron said, wrapping his arm around my waist for one last squeeze.
“Wait until you see everything, guys,” I started, but Aaron cut me off.
“No…no…no. That’s not how it’s done. Set the bar low so they’re surprised.” Aaron grinned and gave me one last peck on the cheek.
Jason laughed and shook his head. “We already know your work is amazing, brother. You don’t have to sell us on your brilliance.”
“True. Not many people I’d travel halfway across the globe for,” Ayden teased and Lily bumped him with her hips. Ayden wrestled her into an embrace, and my heart warmed to see them together like that. I caught Ayden’s hand resting on her stomach, and I almost choked on the last drop of my martini.
“You okay there?” Aaron asked, slapping my back.
“Yeah. Sorry. Got too excited.”
Ayden flashed a peculiar grin as I followed them out of the kitchen, turning the lights off as we went.
The SUV was waiting for us at the curb, and we all managed to crawl in, but I was obsessing over my brother’s hand placement.
Beyond Chance Page 19