would probably be green. I don’t know why, it just suits you for some reason. Oh my gosh, I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Ugh, sorry about that.”
Julien laughed, shaking his head at me. “It’s quite all right. I think it’s amusing, really. I’d rather you be chatty than completely silent. It lets me know you’re settling in… Shall we be on our way?”
I loved the way that he could easily make me feel as though I wasn’t crazy. “We shall,” I replied, sliding into the passenger seat after he opened the door for me.
The scenery leading out was just as beautiful to watch pass by as when I first came to the château. Even still, it was hard to keep my gaze on our surroundings when all I wanted to do was look at Julien.
Every time I glanced over at him from the corner of my eye it was like I was learning something new about him. I looked over and saw a small mole right on the underside of his jaw, and the next time I looked I noticed that a piece of his hair curled just so behind his ear, making me wonder if maybe he had curly hair that he kept trimmed back. It was all these little things that started to add up for me.
It was starting to add up to possible heartbreak.
I had to remind myself not to get too close, even though it would only be too easy with Julien. This was only a temporary thing, anyway. How silly would it be for me to fall for a guy I would never see again? I sighed, not wanting to think about actually leaving the château… or Julien.
“Is something the matter?” he asked me, without taking his eyes off the road.
I quickly shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I’m actually curious about where we’re going. Is it supposed to be a surprise or can you give me hints?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up as he glanced at me. “Would you like it to be a surprise?”
“I may be the only woman in history to is ever said this, but I don’t like surprises. Not anymore.” Dang it, did everything I say always have to come out so serious-sounding?
If he took notice of it, he didn’t say. “In that case, I was thinking we could start out at one of my favorite cafés in town. They have the best coffee around. And believe me, I’ve tried plenty of places. None better than theirs.”
Coffee sounded amazing…
After that I thought we could just walk around the city. It’s small, so it won’t take too long. If you get tired we can always catch one of the historical carriages they have going around every now and then.”
I smoothed out a nonexistent wrinkle on of my dress, wondering how he could be any more perfect. It sucked to have to admit it, but he was the exact type of guy I’d always looked for. And he was so out of my reach that it wasn’t even funny.
“That sounds like a good time to me. Sure beats scrubbing baseboards around the house,” I said, trying not to sound as hopeless as I felt.
(Back to Table of Contents)
Chapter 14
I knew I was going to have a good day with him, but that was problem. Even just talking to him while dusting some of the furniture was a good day for me. What was this kind of day going to feel like? And how would it be any good for me?
The rest of the drive was pretty quiet, mostly because Julien turned on the radio so we could listen to some music. It was light and fun, a possible precursor for the rest of the day. At least I hoped so.
The road into town while it was beautiful, also curved a lot, and I had to close my eyes, trying not to get carsick. That certainly wouldn’t do. I think Julien sensed that I was feeling nauseous because he seemed to pick up the speed, and before I knew it we had made it to the café.
Looking around at the different French signs and older architecture was a truly unique experience. The café itself was still clinging to scraps of originality from the old building, probably put up in the mid to late eighteenth century. I brushed my hand along the outside wall, feeling the gritty texture of the stone work. It almost felt fragile even though I knew it wasn’t, given its standing against time.
Even though I didn’t see him I knew Julien was watching me, trying to make sense of me probably. Here I was this silly American girl trying to fit in among everyone else, but still petting the walls as if I had never been outside of a barn. Then again… I truly didn’t care what others thought of me anymore. After my life was pretty much taken away for me, I figured there was no point to that.
Julien ordered us his favorite roast of coffee, ordering it in the most fluid and beautiful French I had ever heard. Okay, so all French sounds the same pretty much, but coming out of Julien’s mouth… it was almost like art. It moved something inside of me.
Or maybe a few things, I thought, trying not to blush.
Julien handed me the coffee, and I could already smell the intense aroma wafting in the air. It smelled so good, I was surprised I didn’t start drooling. I wasn’t that much of a coffee fan, but this just smelled otherworldly. I took a tiny sip, braving the heat to test it out. It was bold, very rich, not at all like the regular dark roast that I was used to getting back home. I closed my eyes and took another small sip, licking my lips afterward.
When I looked up I saw Julien’s smug face, practically saying ‘I told you so.’ I rolled my eyes, glad to take another long draw from the drink.
He found us an open table outside in the front, underneath a large maroon umbrella that read ‘Nata Lisboa,’ in large, fancy lettering. I eyed the small brown paper bag he placed in the middle the table, wondering about its contents. I had totally forgotten to grab anything to eat, so of course by now I was starving.
“What’s in the bag?”
He held his finger up, tsking me and my impatience. “We’ll get to that in a moment. First, what do you think of the coffee?”