A Reunion in Paris

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Weeks had passed since Karina and Winter decided to take their time apart, but slowly, Karina found herself in a better place. She focused on her music, her group, and the tour that took her to cities she'd once dreamed of visiting. But one city on the itinerary stood out more than the others: Paris.

It was the last stop of their tour, the grand finale. The lights, the romance, the sense of magic that permeated the city—it made Karina both excited and nervous. Paris was also where Winter's fashion house, "Maison Winter", had its headquarters, and the thought of possibly seeing Winter again filled Karina with a mix of longing and anxiety.

Karina arrived in Paris on a crisp afternoon, the iconic skyline of the city in view from her hotel window. She had a couple of days off before their final performance, and for the first time in weeks, she let herself consider the idea of reaching out to Winter.

Sitting in her hotel room, Karina opened her phone to Winter's last message. Their communication had remained cordial and sporadic since they agreed to take a step back, but neither had really broached the topic of meeting again. As her thumb hovered over the keyboard, a knock on the door startled her.

She opened it to find Giselle, grinning from ear to ear. "We're going shopping! Get dressed," Giselle declared, bursting into the room with all the energy Karina needed to shake her from her indecision.

"Shopping?" Karina raised an eyebrow, amused at her friend's sudden enthusiasm.

Giselle nodded. "It's Paris, babe! Fashion capital of the world. We can't just sit around and do nothing. Let's hit the boutiques, maybe grab some croissants, and live our best lives. You know you need it."

Karina smiled, grateful for the distraction. She quickly got ready, throwing on a simple black turtleneck, a pair of tailored trousers, and a wool coat. They stepped out into the Parisian streets, and for the first time in days, Karina allowed herself to enjoy the moment.

The city was vibrant, the streets lined with beautiful cafes, patisseries, and designer shops. Karina and Giselle wandered into boutique after boutique, trying on hats, scarves, and jackets, all while laughing and soaking in the charm of Paris. For a few hours, it was easy to forget about everything—Winter, the uncertainty of their relationship, the pressure of their careers.

But as the afternoon wore on, and they found themselves in front of one of the most famous fashion houses on the Champs-Élysées, Karina couldn't help but think of Winter again. Winter's influence in the fashion world was undeniable, and walking among these prestigious brands made her absence more palpable.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Giselle asked gently, noticing the shift in Karina's mood.

Karina nodded, sighing. "I can't help it. This city... it just reminds me of her. And I know she's here, somewhere."

Giselle smiled knowingly. "Why don't you text her? You're here, she's here. Maybe it's time."

Karina bit her lip, her nerves tightening in her chest. She had been contemplating it since they arrived, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for what that conversation might bring.

"I don't want to pressure her," Karina admitted. "What if she's not ready to see me?"

Giselle tilted her head thoughtfully. "You won't know until you try. But if you don't ask, you might miss out on something really important. Paris is too magical to waste on second-guessing."

Karina stared at her phone, Giselle's words echoing in her mind. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked it and typed a message.

Karina: "Hey. I'm in Paris for the tour. Would you like to meet for coffee? No pressure, but I'd love to see you if you're free."

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