Max frowns. “Um, no.”
“What? Max, you’re joking, right? We need two rooms. We can’t share! Are you crazy?” My heart jumps to my throat, imagining Max walking back and forth in the hotel room, a towel hanging off his waist, no shirt, showing three by two rows of perfect abs. Or even me, getting in the shower as he sits in the bedroom. My skin crawls, and I hate that it’s not in a bad way.
“Why not? We’ll hardly even be in the room,” he says, shrugging.
My eyebrows glue together as I focus on him, loathing his careless attitude. “This is not a joke.” I pull out my wallet. “I guess I’ll be using my credit card to book my own room then. What’s the name of the hotel?” I ask, already opening the web browser on my phone. Of course, it doesn’t work because I still have no signal. Damn international plan.
“There are two rooms, Shannon! Chill! I was just kidding!”
I look him over. “Promise.”
“I booked two rooms, I promise you. I’m not ignorant. Come on, you know me better than that.”
I swallow hard. “Well, shit, Max, I thought you were serious—”
“I know you did.” He drops his head to look down at me. “Do you really think I’m that selfish? To the point that I would leave you stuck in the same hotel room as me?”
I don’t say anything. I can’t, really. I know Max can be selfish, but he knows I am married and has respect for that. I guess this trip really is just for me.
I look up and the driver is looking through the rearview mirror at us. I snatch my gaze away, looking down at my phone screen, hoping for a signal to appear. Nothing.
The car finally comes to a stop in front of a gorgeous white building and Max opens his door and climbs out of the backseat. I follow suit, stepping out as Max rounds the trunk for our suitcases.
For a moment, I forget about the conversation Max and I just had, taken aback by the building before me.
It’s exquisite. Breathtaking. It’s the French dream. It looks just like the pictures I used to stare at as I scrolled through Pinterest. The rectangular windows, the arch railings that lead to the entrance. The pointy roof, making it appear as if it’s some fancy castle. The revolving crystal doors. The smiling bellhop with his smooth, clean face.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “This place is perfect.” I already feel like royalty and I haven’t even set foot inside yet.
The bellhop greets us with a heavy French accent, asking to collect our bags. Max hands them over, tips him, then walks inside, my arm hooked through his.
We meet at the front desk, where a ginger-haired woman greets us and Max offers his name.
“Maximilian Grant, correct?” she inquires.
“Yes.” Max finally releases my arm, pulling out his wallet and handing her his ID. She looks over it, handing it back and then giving him a few papers to sign. Once that’s done, she hands us two room keys with a wide smile on her lips. “Your bags will be up shortly. I hope the stay is very romantic for the two of you,” she says as he takes the keys.
“Oh my gosh, no. We’re just friends,” I say quickly.
“Oh!” She places a hand over the heart of her chest, her face turning cherry red. “My apologies, madam!”
“No worries at all.” We turn for the elevator and Max has a smile on his lips. “What’s funny?”
“You.” He shakes his head. “It’s not like anyone here cares whether we are a couple or not.”
“Yeah, well…” I shrug as the elevator chimes. He has to know this is just friendly. I’m a married woman and he doesn’t need to have any ideas in his head.
Once we’re out of the elevator, we walk down the corridor, our shoes clicking along the marble floor. Our rooms are right beside each other.
I take my key and stick it into the lock, turning the doorknob and giving Max a swift glance before walking in. He does the same, but doesn’t say anything. He just walks in, allowing his door to shut behind him.
I shut mine as well, locking it and walking in with a sigh. He chose well, I can admit. The room is fresh, the sunlight bright and rich as it pours through the windows. It warms my skin as I walk over to open one of them. But what’s even better, I realize, is that across from us, several miles away, is the Eiffel tower.
Aw, Max.
He did this.
He knew I’d want to wake up to this view in the mornings. I’m so grateful that he still knows me. His heart was in a good place when he decided to bring me here. I can appreciate that.