Bravo 🤍

Fourteen

Michelle hears rustling outside the apartment door on New Year's Eve morning as she sits on the couch on her phone. She stands up and opens the door to find Lucas placing a bag in front of the door.

"Michelle..."

She steps into the hallway with him and closes the door behind her. "Lucas... what are you doing?"

He sighs, handing her the bag along with a smile. "Pain au chocolat. They are her favorite. Tell her you got it..."

"Okay." She turns to go back into the apartment, but he grabs her arm.

"I'm leaving first thing in the morning. Please help me. I need to get through to her before I go."

Michelle scoffs, leaning against the door. "Because you're afraid she'll move on while you're gone?"

"Well, yeah."

"You mean like you did last year?" She pokes him hard in the chest as he groans.

"Yes. I know I fucked up, but I... elle ma manque. Je suis amoureux d'elle." (I miss her. I'm in love with her.)

She hears the door open behind her as she feels Nikki pull her back into the apartment. "Lucas, I hear the words, but I'm not sure I feel them anymore."

"Tu me manques." (I miss you)

Nikki looks away from his pained eyes and down at he grabs her hand, whispering softly, "I miss you too." She backs up into the apartment, closing the door as she hears Lucas groan on the other side.

Michelle looks at her guiltily, taking a large bite of the pastry from Lucas.

Nikki giggles, "don't worry. I'm not one to return pain au chocolat. It's my favorite."

"He said... je suis amour..." She trails off as Nikki sighs.

"That he's in love with me, I heard him." She grabs her own pastry, picking a small piece of it. "Don't open the door for any Frenchmen, no matter how cute they are, Elle."

"I'm not sorry," Michelle giggles as Nikki gasps, laughing.

"I know you were probably wanting to go out tonight, but why don't we stay in? Have a girl's night? Nails, junk food and shitty movies. I just don't really feel like going out."

Michelle slides Nikki's phone to her on the counter. "Not even for Louis?"

Nikki sees a message from Louis, inviting her to a party. She sighs, setting it back on the counter. "No, not even for hot Louis and his big puppy dog brown eyes."

Michelle laughs, nodding. "Staying in sounds good."

***

"Thanks for letting me stay with you these last few days, Nik. And taking me around Paris." Michelle leans back after finishing painting Nikki's toes.

"You're welcome to come visit whenever you like, Elle. Though I might move before you come for the next visit." Nikki smiles, admiring her red toes.

"Why?!"

"Because, I can't take looking at those blue eyes every day." Nikki avoids her sister's gaze as she pours them both some more wine.

"Don't be stupid, Nikki. A very attractive and sweet Frenchman loves you and you're just going to give up? So he fucked up, you're not even going to give him a chance?"

"Maybe... but it's too soon, Elle. Please drop it."

"Fine, for now. I just would hate for you to miss out on someone really special."