I don’t think I have to tell you twice, Diary, but there’s something to be said for good old-fashioned PAPER.
Always,
Mira
It’s a shock when we step off the plane and into the airport. It’s not just crowded…it’s suffocating. The gates surrounding ours are all in the same state—swarms of people trying to get answers from the poor people at the counter. We step into the jumbled line.
“What’s going on?” Jaxson asks the man in front of us.
“From what I can tell, the computer systems are down. Flights from all the airlines are canceling. I’m not sure if it’s this god-awful weather we’re having or something else, but it’s not looking good for flights.”
Jaxson groans. “I can’t believe it.” He puts his hand on my arm and leans in closer. “Let’s see what they say though. Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks.”
Just then, there’s an announcement saying our flight and the next are canceled. When we finally reach the counter, Jaxson turns to the gate agent, Earl, with his charming smile and the man’s eyes stay fixed on his computer, his fingers tapping away.
Jaxson gives him our tickets and Earl’s fingers fly over the keyboard even faster.
“Our computer systems are down,” Earl says flatly.
“Why are you using your computer then?” Jaxson asks.
Earl glances up and gives a droll eyebrow lift with one brow, then resumes typing. “All flights to Paris are canceled for today and tomorrow. It’s possible we could get you out the day after that, but it’s unlikely. I’d suggest you get a hotel and check in with the airline tomorrow or the next day.”
He looks past us like he’s already dismissed us and Jaxson puts his hand on the counter, leaning in. “Does this mean the car rentals won’t be available either, with this computer…” He waves his hand around, speechless.
“You’ll have to ask that at one of the rental locations. Follow the signs.” And with that, he is completely done with us.
“Unbelievable.” Jaxson looks at me, eye twitching, and we start laughing. We shuffle through the agitated people in line and laugh harder. “Come on, let’s go work on Plan B…and eat something.”
“I could eat.” I nod, taking his hand so we don’t get separated.
We follow the signs to the rental places and it’s nearly as crowded. We stand in line and by the time it’s our turn, we’re not laughing anymore.
“We’ll take whatever you have available,” he tells the girl behind the counter.
She grins while her lashes lower seductively and my eyes narrow at her, while also being impressed that she can do all of that at the same time.
“I’m available,” she says with a laugh and then glances at me and quickly sobers. “Sadly, not much else is. But we do have a couple of cars in this range.” She points at the laminated page of cars and we aren’t choosy.
He fills out the paperwork and eventually we’re pulling out of the airport parking lot.
“Tell me what you think of this,” he says. “We spend a couple of days in Montreal, checking out the sights…if we can’t get a flight to Paris day after tomorrow, we drive to New York.” He shrugs. “Cross the Empire State Building off of our list.” He glances at me, waiting to see my reaction.
I grin. “I like it. Solid Plan B.”
He lets out a gust of air. “Whew. Okay.”
He drives as if he knows exactly where he’s going.
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
“No, never. I’m excited to see it with you,” he says.
“When did you start saying all the right things again?”
“When I remembered to start saying what I really feel instead of what someone might want to hear…” He swallows and I watch the slide of his throat, mesmerized.
I look away, face heating, ashamed that he can so easily get me off-course. I’ll have to watch that this week or it would be so convenient to slide into old habits.
About fifteen minutes later we pull up to a grand building.
A man in a distinguished uniform opens my door and I step out, feeling like I might burst out laughing again.
“Welcome to Hotel Le St-James,” he says.
Jaxson hands the keys to the valet and we walk inside.
“Wow,” Jaxson says under his breath. “This is a nice little layover.”
It feels like we’ve stepped into another time. The ceilings are beautiful white domes, which balance out the dark wood elsewhere. The marble floors gleam with beautiful rugs toning down the acoustics. I admire the intricate furnishings and for a moment I don’t even remember Paris. While Jaxson works on getting us a room, I wander around a little, venturing into an area that makes my mouth drop. Circular wooden bookshelves hold old and new books alike and I let my fingers run against the spines.
I feel Jaxson before I see him, the hair on the back of my neck rising in awareness when he steps close behind me. I feel his breath against my cheek as he leans in. I should step away, I really should.
“I won’t be able to get you out of here, will I?” His voice sounds husky and my heartbeat picks up.
I look at him and it’s a mistake. He’s so close our noses brush against each other.
“I could eat,” I whisper.
He laughs and the spell is broken. “Let’s feed you then. Right after we check out our room…hey, about the room. I hope it’s okay that I just got one.”
“Of course. I already feel bad about you spending so much money.”
We walk to the elevator and he grins, waiting for me—I will always be the kid who wants to push the elevator button. I smile back and jump when the elevator dings.
“Please don’t think about the money, Bells,” he says. “I’ve been saving for this trip since we made the list.”
“What?” I stare at him.
He holds my gaze, his eyes bright. “You heard me.”
“I didn’t think you could still manage to surprise me, but…” I shake my head.
When he opens the door to our room, I realize how much trouble I’m in. The room is a dream. Inviting, romantic, with a plush bed and a fireplace. A trunk sits at the end of the bed and I sigh, my romantic sensibilities firing off in rapid speed. One bed.
“I can sleep on the floor, of course. This room just sounded the best.”
I decide to worry about the bed situation when it’s time to sleep, which fortunately, is not now.
“I’ll just freshen up,” I tell him.
I take my suitcase into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror, the panic forcing me to look away. This is nothing, I tell myself. Just a few days with an old friend. Nothing is going to happen. It will give me closure. That’s all. “That’s all,” I tell my reflection fiercely, daring her to disagree.
When I’ve got my makeup just right and have washed and reapplied deodorant, I slip on my dress…one I haven’t worn before. It’s not overly dressy, but what I think of as a vacation dress. Black with a few tiny flowers, very short but not slutty…at least I hope that’s the effect. I walk out and Jaxson’s mouth drops.
“Your turn,” I say nonchalantly. “I’m done in there.”
I hear him curse under his breath as he takes his things into the bathroom. Before he shuts the door, he says, “You steal my breath, Mira.” He pokes his head out the door. “You’ve always been the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
My heart puddles somewhere between my ankles and the floor. I want to look away, but I can’t. Finally, he pulls back and shuts the door. I hear him start the shower.
Shaken, I try to ignore my fluttering chest. I put on my fabulous sandals that are just high enough that I won’t wobble and sit on the chair near the fireplace. Staring at the bed, I think of his words and as much as I try to resist, my past insecurities bubble up to the surface. I lift my eyes to the ceiling and will myself to not cry. I can’t mess up all the work I just put into my face.
He doesn’t mean what he said. He’s the best liar I know.