Kate's Parisian Escape

Chapter 11

June 27th, 2011

Lorie Valley, France

To: Kimberly Kit Jensen <kikiswebdesign@yahoo.com>

From: Katherine Perryman <dreamchaser89@gmail.com>

Re: Off the Ledge

Okay, I'll admit it. I've moved on from crushing Jeremy to being desperately besotted with him! He's just so damn cute!!! But I have to tell you, there is something freaky going on this château. I haven't mentioned anything to Jeremy because he seems to really like me, and I don't want him thinking I need to be in an insane asylum. But most nights I hear voices! Yes, actual voices! I've been doing some investigating and I'm sure it's the Chevalier sisters. They lived here back in the eighteen century and "mysteriously" disappeared. To this day, historians aren't sure what happened to them. They keep talking about some plot, all very secretive. There isn't much documentation on them, so it's been hard to figure out what they're discussing. And what I can't seem to understand is why I can hear them and no one else can!

Anyway, Jeremy's parents went away for a few days, so it's been nice having the château to ourselves. Did you get the picture I sent you? The one of us in front of Notre Dame? He's tall right? Who knew a kid obsessed with string cheese and Doritos would become such a strikingly handsome guy? But just for the record he can't cook for shit lol.

Life here has been so blissful. I never want to leave. What do I have waiting for me at home? I don't want to go back to waitressing, but my degree doesn't exactly lend me to any other prospects. Why did I major in English? I don't want to teach. YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING! Haha oh that's right you did! Lol

Any news for you on the work front? Get that paycheck yet?

Tell Alec I said hi!

Your Favorite Foreign Friend,

Kate

P.S. But do NOT tell my mother I'm crazy! She already thinks I've lost my mind for staying the summer in France.

P.P.S., I used besotted in the right context, right??

It has now been nearly a month.

A MONTH!

And Jeremy had not made any sort of move on Kate.

She thought after their swim in the pool during their Golden Girls marathon that something might happen. A kiss at least! But nope...nada. Sure, they talked and laughed and had a great time, but he didn't try to step things up at all. But then he was always seeming to be jealous of Henri and wanting her to stay away from him. So, what was that about?

Was Jeremy just shy? Did he expect Kate to make the first move? That wasn't really her style but then again neither was patience and hers was quickly wearing out. With Jeremy's parents gone this was the perfect opportunity to take their relationship to the next level. She just needed a plan.

Elodie said she should just walk up to Jeremy and kiss him. But that seemed to forward to Kate, she didn't want to scare him! And Mrs. Dufour wasn't much help either. She said the way to a man's heart was through his stomach and Kate should make him apple strudel. As bad a cook Jeremy was, Kate wasn't much better and somehow, she didn't think he'd be that impressed by an apple dessert either. Jeremy was more of a strawberry guy.

This left Kate writing in the gardens.

Jeremy found her around lunchtime.

"Making good progress?" he asked, sitting next to her on the bench. He was wearing a light blue T-Shirt and khaki shorts. Kate loved how he could look boyish and masculine at the same time. Especially when he smiled at her the way he was now. She wasn't even self-conscious that all she had on was black Victoria Secret PINK shorts and a red tank top. Her hair was disheveled from the wind, she wore no makeup, and had on her glasses instead of contacts. Because Jeremy always made her feel comfortable and pretty.

In truth Kate had been so distracted by her thoughts of Jeremy she hadn't gotten much done. So, she lied.

"Yes, it's so easy to write here. What about you?"

He shrugged. "I think I've become immune to this place."

"What a horrible thought!" Kate said sarcastically.

Jeremy grinned. "But you make it better."

It's when he said things like this that Kate became even more confused why he never attempted to take things further. It was clear he wanted to. So, what was stopping him? He couldn't think she wouldn't reciprocate.

Maybe Elodie was right. She should just stop thinking and kiss him. At least then she'd know where they really stood in their relationship.

Kate was about to lean forward when Jeremy stood up.

"We'll I will leave you to it then. I fed Rue de Lepic so no need for you to hurry back. There are ham and cheese sandwiches on ciabatta bread if you get hungry. I'm gonna go do some laps in the pool."

"Oh, okay. Have fun. See you at dinner?"

Jeremy nodded and winked.

When he was gone Kate closed her laptop. She wasn't going to get any writing done now. Maybe it was time for her to take another pass at finding out more about the Chevalier sisters. She hoped they had had better luck in love then she was.

To: Katherine Perryman <dreamchaser89@gmail.com>

From: Kimberly Kit Jensen <kikiswebdesign@yahoo.com>

Re: Off the Ledge

Did you mean Off the Ledge to be a double entendre about your relationship with Jeremy and the fact you've lost your mind? Seriously Kate, voices! For real? This isn't some joke? Are you sure that's what you're hearing? Definitely don't tell anyone else! I'm no expert in the paranormal but I do know your mother and she wouldn't think twice about having you committed! Maybe if you can find out what happened to the Chevalier sisters then the voices will stop.

And yes, I got the picture! Adorable! You were right about how Jeremy turned out. I guess all those sandwich swaps were leading somewhere after all! Lol

As for your major. It's not useless, you just need to figure out what you want. So, you don't want to teach. There are other things! Maybe you should look into being an editor or journalist.

I can tell you whatever you decide it probably won't be as much of a pain in the ass as a Polish carpet cleaner who barely speaks English and will only work three days a week. And sadly no, I haven't gotten paid yet.

I'm glad things are going well with Jeremy, but you haven't mentioned the most important thing. Have you guys done it yet?????

Anxiously Waiting,

Kiki

P.S. Yes, you used besotted right.

P.P.S. Alec says hi back. FYI he's started growing a beard. Don't tell him but I HATE IT! He looks like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo!