Always Have Paris

Chapter 11 • Anchor

"Both our eyes locked to the tide
we went in circles somewhere else"

Anchor // Novo Amor

***

"Can you believe it?" Abby runs over to the window of our fifth-floor hotel room. "We're actually here. We're in the city of love. And we're together."

With a smile plastered on my face, I watch her stand on her tiptoes as if to take in more of the view. She lets go of the curtains and turns around to face me, giving me the most beautiful smile.

"I'm hungry, so what do you say we freshen up and then we can go to an authentic French bistro, yeah?"

"Whatever you'd like to do is fine with me, love."

"Okay, here, lemme turn on the tellie for you," Abby walks over to the nightstand next to the Queen sized bed and points the remote toward the television mounted on the wall. "I'll put the Closed Caption on so you can understand."

"You're so thoughtful."

She grins at me, setting the remote down and she walks over to me. She stops in front of me and wraps her arms around my shoulders while I place my hands on her waist.

"I love you, Harry. I'm so incredibly happy."

"Me, too, Abs. I love you, too," I lean down and her stomach growls rather loudly. "Go freshen up so we, I mean you, can go eat."

Her happy expression fades a little and I close the distance between us to kiss my woman.

***

"How was your coq au vin?" I ask.

"Mm, delicious," Abby answers, dabbing her cloth napkin to her mouth. "I'm glad it was the first authentic French cuisine I tried but I'm definitely trying ratatouille next."

"And you still have three more meals."

"Oof, I'll probably gain twenty pounds on this trip, but it would be worth it, cos it's impeccable food. In fact, love, if you could eat right now, I would've offered you a bite."

"Gasp! Abby Tucker is sharing her food?" I playfully tease, earning a smile. "Someone ring the police cos this woman never shares food."

"Hmm, true, but I'd share with you," Abby winks at me, reaching her hand across the table and I place my hand in hers.

"Excusez-moi, mademoiselle," our waiter interrupts us and I quickly let go of Abby's hand. "The cheque."

"Merci," Abby smiles, taking the small black folder and her eyes widen as she tucks a few Euros inside. "No change," she says and he politely bows before walking back into the restaurant. "Hm, looks like I'll be eating from street vendors for the rest of our trip. Not that I'm complaining because it was the best thing I've ever eaten."

"And you've always wanted to try authentic coq au von, so I'd say it was worth it," I reason and Abby happily nods.

"Hey, it's dark enough now that we can see the city lights," Abby says. "Care to take a stroll with me?"

"I'd love to."

Taking the last sip of her water, Abby stands up from the table and we make our way out of the patio's gate and onto the crowded sidewalk.

"Which way should we go?" Abby looks up at me with unsure eyes.

She's adorable.

"Well, our hotel is that way, so if we go this way and make a loop, we'll end up back at the hotel. It's not technically sightseeing, but we can take in the everyday life of the French."