Coffee and Croissants

Chapter 8

He strode up to her door and hesitated before knocking. He had two espresso doppios in his hand. He took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Hey." Blair said as she opened the door. She looked beautiful wearing a pair of slim black trousers, cropped at the ankles, and a fitted 3/4 sleeve striped sweater and a pair of red ballet flats. She looked just like Audrey, which of course was most likely her intention. 

"Hi." He handed her the coffee. "Ready?" 

"Yep. Thanks for the coffee." She said, closing the door behind her.

"So what have you planned for us?" 

"I thought we would start with breakfast at my favorite spot and then go to the Louvre. Sound good?" 

"Sounds perfect."

They strode off and arrived at the cafe after a 5-minute walk. She got a chocolate croissant while he got a plain one. They took a seat at a little table. It felt surreal to be across from her now. In Paris in this beautiful spring weather. There was a light breeze but the sun was shining. The perfect day for a tour around the city. 

"So what do you usually do on the weekends?" He asked. "I'm sure you love shopping here, make frequent trips to all the Parisian boutiques?"

"I do more than shop these days Humphrey." She looked somewhat offended and he realized he sort of made her sound vapid. Fantastic... Not a good way to start their day.

"That's not what I meant. Sorry. I mean, you're studying at the university, of course you're far more cultured and sophisticated than that." 

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Kidding, no offense taken. I do shop, of course from time to time. Mostly I like to go to the bookstore, there's one with so many first editions that I love. Then I go to the movies of course. It's my favorite part of living here. Remember in New York how rare a French film screening was?"

His eyes lit up at the mention of New York and the vague implication of the two of them in New York. He couldn't help himself from saying, "I know, remember Nénette? Now I'm sure you can see French documentaries about orangutans all the time." 

"I haven't found another documentary quite as fascinating as that one." She admitted. 

"Me neither." He smiled and she blushed slightly. They both knew the implications of the admissions. That screening had been the first time they had actually hung out. It should've been awkward, going to a movie with his sworn enemy. But it wasn't. It had been surprisingly enjoyable and her company made him happy. He hadn't ever met anyone else into the same "weirdo foreign films" as Serena called them.

"There's this theater I love where they show all movies from before the 1980s. It's amazing being able to see classics on the big screen. I just love it." She had a wistful smile and it made his heart melt. 

He took a bite of his croissant as he thought of what to say. He wanted to say, maybe you can take me some time. But refrained. It was too soon he supposed for such proclamations. It was so new, being in her presence again after three years. He wasn't sure what they were. Frenemies or real friends or friends turning into something more. They had been all three over the course of their relationship but now. It had to be redefined.

"Well, it sounds amazing." He settled on saying. He changed the subject with, "So what exhibitions are at the Louvre?"

"There actually doing an American exhibition right now. It's called American Encounters and it's portraits done 19th-century American painters." 

He nodded as she continued. "But next month, there is going to be an amazing exhibition. The Winged Victory of Samothrace. You'll have to see it. I'm going too." 

His heart leaped at her mention of next month and the implication they should go together. Or maybe that wasn't what she meant. Now he was fretting, reading into it. He needed to collect himself. 

"If you prove to a be a worthy tour guide today, perhaps I'll ask you to guide me. If not, then hopefully I'll have your replacement lined up by then." 

"Oh, there's no better tour guide than me. I am the most sought after tour guide in all of Paris. Just wait and see. Tourists will be gathering around us and listening to me." 

He loved when she was like that. So confident and self-assured, even if she was being sarcastic. It brought back memories of the internship at W and how confident she was she would be the last intern standing. He missed those days, before things had gotten so complicated between them. 

He smiled and they stood having finished their breakfast. She hailed them a cab and she climbed in, him holding the door open for her. He slid in and she scooted over slightly to maintain a comfortable distance between them. 

At the museum, she escorted him through her favorite galleries. Telling him about her favorite paintings and what she had learned about some of them from art history courses. As she spoke, he couldn't help but look at her instead of the paintings. Her eyes were so bright and she was so in her element. Being the leader. It made him so happy to see her that way. 

"Humphrey?" She turned and looked at him straight in the eye. "Were you paying attention at all?"

"Yes, of course!" He came up with some remarks to make about the painting they were looking at so she couldn't tell he hadn't been listening at all. 

After a full day spent roaming the museum, they headed out. It was sunset when they came out. The sky alight with orange and pink streaks. They both stared for a moment. 

"Paris has the most beautiful sunsets." Blair said as they stared up at the sky. 

"I'm beginning to think everything in Paris is more beautiful." He wanted to add and everyone in there but refrained.

"So do you have to get back now? Or do you have time for dinner?" 

She contemplated and looked like she was about to say no when he added, "I'm still new to the city. I have no idea where to eat and I'm sort of sick of the place by my apartment I've been eating at."

"I'll cook for you. Let's stop by this little market on the way back. They have the best baguettes and tomatoes." 

He smiled broadly. He would get to see inside her apartment. Be alone with her for the first time in three years. He wondered if it was a date.