Until the Last Breath

I look back up. He’s already looking at me, his eyes gentle, his body lax. He leans close to me and murmurs, “Don’t let him change your mind about this.”

“I’m trying not to.” My face goes blank as I look out of the window, watching the ground move below the plane. We’re about to leave. There is truly no turning back now.

When we’re in the air and the thick clouds pass by us, I close my eyes, gripping the arms of the chair, realizing that going on this trip with Maximilian Grant may not be the wisest thing to do right now.

I mean, I know it isn’t and I’ve always known it, but this is Paris we’re talking about. Paris.

No matter how I feel, I can’t regret this. I have to remember to live, even if that means temporarily upsetting the one man who would do anything for me.

TWENTY-FIVE

The plane ride wasn’t so bad.

Max had no choice but to get first class seats so I had plenty of space. Other than his mild snoring, it was okay. I don’t know how he slept at all because I couldn’t.

It was hard to get through. One minute I was excited and the next I was panicking. It’d been a while since I’d flown on a plane. The last time I did was when John and I flew to Colorado to spend the weekend at the mountains.

John…

He’s all I’ve been able to think about. I’m sure he’s tried calling me dozens of times. I have to remember to call him first thing as soon as we get to our hotel. Fortunately, I upgraded my phone plan for international calls and text.

When we land and exit the plane, the airport is crowded. Max pushes through the swarm of people with my arm hooked in his, our bags strapped around us.

“This is fucking insane,” he says over his shoulder as we finally reach a set of glass doors. For a moment I think we’ve finally hit a clearing, but I’m wrong. Outside the airport is a flood of people waving their arms in the air, flagging down cabs.

Max pulls his arm out of mine, whipping out his cellphone. “I’m going to call an Uber.”

I’m glad it doesn’t take long for our driver to arrive.

“This way.” Max turns to the right, pushing through the crowd and walking across the busy street. When we’re away from the people flagging down cabs or hopping into their personal vehicles, Max makes his way toward a bridge. “You okay?” he asks me, looking over his shoulder, prepared to stop.

I nod my head, continuing the walk. “Surprisingly, I’m okay.”

“Good.” We cross the steel bridge where a car is already waiting. The driver greets us in French and Max says something back to him, which makes the man laugh.

“Since when do you know French?” I ask as we get in the backseat of the car.

He smirks. “I picked up a few words before coming.”

The driver asks where we’re going in English and then we’re off, driving through the busy city.

“We made it here. What do you think so far?” Max asks as I stare out of the window in awe.

“So far? That it’s such a lively, beautiful mess,” I breathe, adjusting my tubing.

“And that’s just coming from the airport. Imagine what it’s like around the Eiffel Tower.”

“What are we going to do first?” I ask, facing him.

“Well first, you’re going to get some rest. We’ll check in at the hotel, you can freshen up and eat—whatever you wanna do, but we can’t do too much. I feel like that was already too much walking across the bridge to get to the car, plus the plane ride was exhausting, I’m sure.”

“Are you kidding? I’m fine. Look at me?” I hold my hands out.

He reaches across, picking up one of the tubes. “I don’t want you to do too much too soon. You barely slept on the flight. You don’t have to pretend with me, Shakes.”

I chew the corner of my lip. “Fine. I’ll eat, rest some, but then the adventures begin.”

He laughs. “Okay. That I can work with.”

I pull out my phone from my tote bag, holding it up for a signal. “Damn it,” I hiss.

“What’s up?”

“No signal,” I murmur.

“Wanna try mine?”

I frown up at him. “Yeah, right. So John can ask whose number I’m calling him from? I don’t think so.”

“So, you didn’t tell him you’re with me?” He looks amused by this.

“I didn’t really get the chance. He’s been busy in Vegas.”

He nods, but I can see in his eyes he’s made up his own scenarios. “What about Tessa? I’m sure she’d like to know you’ve landed safely.”

“I’ll call her when we get to the hotel.” Something occurs to me and I straighten my back, tilting my chin to meet his eyes. “You booked two rooms, right?”