One Summer in Paris

“At the Hotel Antoinette.”

Audrey wrinkled her nose. “That’s the expensive one that looks like a palace.”

“That’s the one.” An idea came to her. “You should come over one evening and have dinner with me.”

“Are you kidding?” Audrey shoved the first aid kit into the cupboard. “Your husband would love that, I’ll bet. Me tagging along on a romantic break.”

“My husband isn’t with me. He’s back home, with the woman he left me for.” She couldn’t believe she’d blurted it out to a stranger. She expected Audrey to shift uncomfortably and make some excuse that meant she could leave, but the girl didn’t budge. She tilted her head, giving Grace her full attention.

“That sucks. So you’re here on your own?”

“It was that or cancel it. And I can’t believe I just told you that.”

Audrey shrugged. “Friends and family all have opinions and feel they have to fix things, and sometimes all you want is someone to listen.”

The girl had summarized the discomfort of it in a single sentence. “I don’t normally discuss details of my private life with people I don’t know.”

“Don’t worry about it. My old boss in the hair salon where I worked always said that we know more about people’s problems than priests and psychologists.” Audrey wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’m glad you didn’t cancel. The bastard. I mean, it happens a lot, of course. People breaking up. Women come into the salon all the time wanting a makeover to make themselves feel better. But not after twenty-five years. You’d think after that long most people would know what they wanted.”

“David knew what he wanted. Unfortunately, it wasn’t me.”

Oh, shut up, Grace!

To take her mind off it, Grace browsed the shelves.

“I hope you’re posting happy pictures all over social media to make him jealous. #lovemylife or maybe #greattobesingle—that kind of thing.”

“Right now I’m not sure I do love my life, and it doesn’t feel so great to be single. I liked being married to him.”

She selected a book and flicked through it, more as a way of hiding her emotion than because she was interested.

“I still think you should show him you’re doing great. Living well is the best revenge, right?”

“I’m not sure I’m a particularly vengeful person.” She put the book back. “Nor am I living well.”

“So? The purpose of social media is to show everyone the life you wish you were living, not the one you’re actually living. Most people are living two lives. The one they let people see, and the real one.”

David had been living two lives, hadn’t he? With two women.

Grace wondered what Audrey’s other life was like. She seemed both incredibly young, and unusually mature at the same time.

“I mean it about dinner. Please join me.” She pulled a pretty edition of Madame Bovary off the shelf. “If not tomorrow, then any night.”

“Dinner in that place costs, like, a million euros.”

“My budget for this holiday included two people. Now there’s just one of me.”

“So what you’re saying is that I’d be doing you a favor.” Audrey grinned. “I guess I could choke down a prime steak if it would help you out, although I should warn you that I left my ball gown at home.”

Grace thought about the stuffy restaurant. She didn’t want Audrey to feel uncomfortable and she wasn’t in a hurry to go back there herself. “We could order room service. The suite has a balcony. We can eat there.” She opened her purse and handed Audrey enough money to cover the book.

“You’re in a suite? You must be seriously rich.” Audrey stuck the money in her pocket. “I probably should have swiped your bag myself.”

“I’m not rich. I’ve saved for this trip for a year and they gave me an upgrade. Shouldn’t you put the money in the till?”

“I’ll do it later. Dinner tomorrow.” She pondered. “Shame to waste your upgrade. Thanks. I won’t say no to a free meal.”

Grace gazed around the bookshelves, wondering how much the place had changed since Mimi was here. She took a few photos to send to her grandmother. “How long have you been here?”