Tour the way: Book 2

Trainwreck

"Okay." I said opening up Maps app on my phone. "It says here that we just need to pass through the Champs-Elysees." I told him.

"Woman, I love it when you speak French." he told me as were walking through Paris. It truly was the city of love.

"Avi, please." I said deviously grinning at him. "We're in public." I said playfully. He pulled me closer and whispered in my ear.

"You can't give me look like that and want me to control myself." he said in a husky voice that sent electricity down my spine. I let out a breath and cleared my throat as I wriggled free of his embrace.

"Let's go Kaplan." I said trying to shake off just how flustered he made me. I both loved and hated when he did that. He knew what that did to me. "You can be a real tease sometimes." I said still a little flustered by his actions.

"You love me anyway." He said grabbing my hand. I grinned.

"I guess you're okay." I said smirking.  I tried so hard to play it cool, but I really wasn't so sure just how much longer I was going to keep it up. The fire in his eyes told me he felt the same way. However, I didn't wanna make our first time strictly about that. I really wanted it to be special. Luckily, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Avi's phone ringing. I waited in silence only for it to be broken by his words.

"Yeah. I'll be right there." He said. I knew what that meant. "I'm really sorry, but..." He started.

"Yeah, Yeah I know the deal." I told him.

"Come on, we gotta get back to the others." He told me while he was taking my hand.

"Actually Avi, You go ahead without me." I said trying to hide my disappointment.

"Come on Erica." he pleaded and he squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"No, it's fine." I said taking my hand back. "I'll get a taxi and meet up with you guys later." I told him. Avi gave me a blank look. "Go on. Get out of here. I'll catch up." It was silent for a few seconds.

"Okay." He sighed and he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "See you later alligator."  He finished and lightly kissed my forehead.

"In a while crocodile." I replied. Avi left for the closest bus station. I sighed as I continued to walk. I wasn't mad at him. I knew Avi was genuine about what he said to me that morning.

Earlier that day

I woke up that morning with the light of a new day shining through my window.

"Wow!" was my only expression. "I can't believe I'm in the city of lights." I said and rushed to get dressed like a kid going to a candy store. My actions were interrupted by a knock on my door. "Come on Avi, I know its you." I shouted through the door. The door opened and Avi peeked around the corner. "I don't know why you feel the need to wait for me to give you the green light to walk in." I said. "Just knock to give me a warning  and walk in." I finished as I brushed my hair.

"What can I say? I'm a gentleman." He said with a cheesy grin. "Truthfully, I don't know why you don't just share a room with me. It would cut out a lot of middle crap." he pointed out.

"Well, my heart trust you, but other parts? not so much." I said laughingly. Avi rolled his eyes at my remark.

"Okay, new city means a new slate." Avi told me as we sat down on my bed. "I know our last tour stop was a little rocky, but this time, I am going to spend all day with you." I beamed at his words but then folded my arms pretending to be skeptical.

"All day." I repeated.

"All day." He assured me.

"Yeesh, I don't know if I can take you ALL day." I said winking.

"That's too bad my dear because it looks like you're stuck with me." he said nuzzling my neck. His beard was causing me to laugh as I fell backwards on my bed. It was his day off and I knew we were both looking forward to it. it was great timing. What was a better day to have off than in the city of love? I couldn't have been more excited.

Present

It was excitement that was cut entirely too short. The egg was on my face and there really wasn't anythnig I could do about it. I didn't want this to bring down my day in Paris, but man, it was hard. It was hard to believe that I was in one of the busiest cities in the world because I had never felt so alone in my life. I wanted to call Lena. I wanted to tell her I was coming home and we could stay up all night watching bad Netflix movies and we would get into our usual Josh Groben debate. Even without all that,  there was really good chance that her life was a million times better than mine right now, but I was six hours behind her so she was more than likely still at work. I ran my fingers through my jet black hair and continued my thoughts as I walked into the Louvre. I could only hear my own footsteps as I found a nearby bench. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop in the next room. Perfect. I hadn't realized it, but in that moment of serenity, I felt a single tear start to run down my face. I quickly wiped it away as if I wanted to hide it from myself. Soon after, another had fallen and then another. Before I could stop myself, I had buried my face in my hands.

"This place is full of beautiful art, but I bet you'd have them all beat if you would just smile." I heard a voice say. It was really close. I looked up and saw a curly haired guy sitting next to me. He had a smile that could light up a room and his tan skin was perfect. I wiped my face and was surprised to find another person here at this hour of the day.

"Bruno Mars." I said in disbelief. He smiled. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm shooting a performance for the Victoria's Secret fashion show tonight and I figured this would be a quiet place to unwind beforehand." He explained.

"Wow. I absolutely love your music." I said gushing.

"Thanks beautiful." He told me. "Okay, so you know my name, but what's yours." he asked.

"Oh, right." I chuckled nervously. "It's..." I spaced a little "Erica. My name is Erica." I said still a tiny bit star struck. "How on earth do I keep meeting these musicians?" I mentally asked myself.

"Well Erica, what can a pretty girl like you possibly have to be so upset about?" he asked. I got quiet for a second.

"It's just been pretty rough afternoon." I said. I didn't want to bore him with my personal pity party.

"Lets see if we can fix that." He offered his hand. I hesitated for a couple seconds as he stood up.

"Sure." I said taking his hand as he helped me up from my seat.

Avi's POV

I felt horrible about having to cut our day short. I could feel a heavy weight in the pit of my stomach the entire bus ride back to the hotel. She didn't say how disappointed or anything, but her eyes gave her away. I can't believe I left my girlfriend to wander Paris by herself, but at the same time, duty calls. It was hard on our relationship sometimes, but this is what made me happy. I worked hard to get where I am today and I know she knows that. I just hoped she understood that I wasn't just doing this for me anymore. Now, I was doing it for us. I got out of the bus and met up with Kevin.

"Hey man." He said greeting me. "Where's Erica" he asked.

"She's going off on her own for a while" I said trying not to get into detail.

"Everything okay bro?" he asked.

"Yeah." I lied. "Lets get some work done." I said steering the conversation in another direction but still hoping that Erica was okay.