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Chapter 15

"It doesn't even need hemming!" Amelia exclaims, grinning ear to ear in her wedding dress. I sit back in my office, unused to the area. I haven't been to my Paris office in almost two years.

I nod, smiling. "... You look beautiful."

"I can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow," she utters softly, turning from side to side in the long mirror.

...

I grab her hand, stepping down the wide stairs of the building. "So everything's ready for tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm surprisingly calm. Everything's gone so well so far."

"Yeah, anyways, all that matters is that you both say I do, right?"

"Exactly," she murmurs, smiling wide. "How about some lunch? There's a small café around the corner- to die for. Wine is excellent."

"I'm game."

We walk close together, through the crowds of people. I resist chuckling at the amount of people holding maps.

"Anyways, daddy told me that he couldn't have that seasoning on the fish because he's-"

I stop in my tracks, eyes wide.

I see him.

I see the dirty blonde hair. The sharp jaw line. The broad shoulders. The lips. No, it can't be...

"What is it? Iris?"

"Stell-Stellan!" I shout, sprinting forward in my stilettos. He's on the phone- shit. I watch him hail for a taxi, swerving through people, ignoring their disdained words. "Stellan!"

A yellow taxi slows by the curbside and I feel my heart stop as he reaches for the handle. I grab the material of his suit jacket tightly just as he bends to get in. "Stellan."

He spins back, removing the phone from his ear. I watch his mouth drop open slightly before his lips suddenly curve into a heartbreakingly beautiful smile. I want to cry just seeing it. "I-Iris, my God."

"Sir?" the taxi driver questions. Stellan turns, shaking his head.

"Non, merci. Allez-y sans moi."

French? He speaks French? Shutting the yellow door, he turns, immediately pulling me into his arms. I gasp, clutching his back desperately.

"I can't believe it's you," he whispers, emotionally. "What are you doing here?"

I pull back, sniffling. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

"I live here now."

"What? In Paris?"

"Yes." He looks up suddenly and I turn, seeing Amelia, standing, eyeing us curiously.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Amelia. This is Stellan Reid, a really good friend of mine."

"It's nice to meet you," she murmurs politely, taking his extended hand.

"Likewise."

She looks between us and gapes awkwardly. "You know what? I actually...  have to go meet Kathleen at the house. I completely forgot..."

I turn to look at Stellan, knowing I've got to be glowing. "Do you have to be anywhere right now?"

"I've got some time," he murmurs, nodding. I grab her arms and kiss her cheeks softly.

"I'll call you."

She smirks, lowering her voice to a whisper. "You better."

"Here, I'll get you a taxi," Stellan says, turning. He hails one down and she raises her brows at me. My heart is wild- absolutely wild.

She walks forward, beaming at him. "Aren't you sweet? Thank you."

We both watch the car drive away. When it's out of sight, I swallow and look up at him. His eyes flicker down and his mouth curves upward on one side.

"There's a café around the corner that Amelia was telling me about."

He nods, touching my back lightly. "Let's go." 

...

We hand our menus to the waiter and glance over at each other, smiling softly.

"I have- so many questions," I finally say, licking my lips nervously.

"I know, so do I. I can't believe you're here."

"... I'm here for a wedding- Amelia's actually. She was getting fitted for her dress."

"Did you design it?"

I smile softly, nodding. "Yeah, I did."

"How is business? I've always wished to know what happened with the fashion show."

"It went well. It was my most profitable collection yet. Someone wore one of the dresses at the Oscars a month ago, it was wild."

"Wow- the Oscars. That's big."

"Yeah. I'm actually on a break- I'm not designing right now."

He presses his lips together and nods. "You deserve one."

I reach over and touch his hand, unable to help myself. "Tell me about you."

"... Well, I should probably start with the day after I left your house... When I opened my bag."

I blush and let go of his hand, nodding. "The money."

"Yes... And the letter."

"I wanted you to be okay."

"And I was- because of you. I am where I am today because of you."

I hum, pleased he doesn't resent me for putting that in his bag behind his back. I've always wondered what his reaction was. "And where are you today?"

"I'm a junior analyst for a bank just down the road."

"You couldn't find anything in New York?"

"I just figured- I'd have a better chance in a city where Vance Water doesn't actually reside. The money you gave me got me here and sustained me while I looked for a job and learnt French. Also, I will pay you back- I've saved up half of it."

"You will do no such thing!" I gasp, shaking my head. "I don't need that money. You do. Stellan... God, I'm so happy to hear that you're okay. I've been so worried."

He smiles softly. "... Still?"