“Maybe.” Sylvie’s cheeks flushed. “Did you like her?”
Elda stepped forward and gently gripped Sylvie’s shoulders. “She was lovely. But you already know that.”
“She gets nervous around new people.” Sylvie returned the hug, baffled by the feelings swirling around her head.
“Hey, she was great with the boys. Anyone who gets them out of my hair for ten minutes is a win.” Elda took over making thecoffee. “Seriously, she had her quirks, but she seems like a good egg.”
“Yeah. I really think so.”
“Hot too. Smoking hot.” Elda laughed. “So, what happened? I want all the details.”
“Elda, I need your help.” Charlie appeared at the doorway, shaking her head. “The boys are on gift number four. Arlo’s more obsessed with unwrapping than actually playing with anything, and I need to find some batteries before Eli has a meltdown. Could you look in the suitcase?”
“I’m on it.” Elda clapped her hands. “Operation battery-powered-toys has commenced earlier than I thought. Let’s come back to our conversation as soon as I get five minutes to myself.” She padded away.
As the sun rose, the early start made itself known with a second wave of fatigue, and Sylvie yawned and stretched her arms to the ceiling. “I might take a morning stroll before we start lunch. Anyone care to join me?”
Charlie looked up over a sea of wrapping paper. “Sounds delightful. You and Elda go, and I’ll stay here with the boys.”
Not needing to be told twice, they made their escape down the cobbled lane toward the village center. A couple of passersby wished them a Merry Christmas, and Sylvie reciprocated, sparing Elda the use of her rusty language skills. “Do you think you remember any French?”
“I doubt it. What is it they say about baby-brain? I think the last five years has robbed me of any ability to retain non-essential information. It’s all been replaced by the names of Peppa Pig characters.”
“You’re happy though?” Sylvie asked.
“God, yeah. It’s pretty perfect, isn’t it?” Elda looped her arm through Sylvie’s. “I mean, I don’t want to be smug, but I really am living my best life.”
Sylvie laughed, her breath puffing like clouds into the air. “Thatis pretty smug.”
“But you have to really appreciate the good things when they come along. Like you and Ade. It’s obvious she really likes you.”
Sylvie drifted to the electricity that had sparked between their lips last night. “But she’ll be going back to California in a few months. It can’t last. Not like you and Charlie.” Sylvie shivered, the cold air sneaking through the seams in her jacket.
“There were many times when I refused to believe in me and Charlie. Like when I moved to Paris for that job and met you. If I’d have stayed put, I would’ve been miserable and lonely. If you weren’t around, that is.” Elda nudged her. “And Charlie and I may never have got together.”
“And when you left her, albeit briefly.” Sylvie smirked.
“Yeah, well, that was a huge mistake, and I’d lost all faith in everything at that point.” Elda tsked. “The point is, sometimes you have to believe that whatever’s stacked against you will work itself out somehow.”
“It’s pretty stacked.” Sylvie nodded. “But I can’t get her out of my head.”
“Oh, I know that feeling, Sylvie. You’ve got it bad, my lovely.” Elda pulled her toward a bench and wiped the dew off the seat before she sat down. “Tell me what you like about her?”
“She’s kind, without being over-the-top. She’s dedicated. And gentle. I’ve never seen anyone move so deliberately. I don’t know. She’s magnetic. When she’s in the room, I can’t stop myself from getting closer just to hear what she says next, to feel her look at me.” Sylvie screamed into her hands. “I’m going slowly mad.”
“What would you say to me?” Elda asked.
“Calme-toi.” Sylvie blew her cheeks out.
“Get a grip?” Elda asked.
“Exactly. Your French isn’t so rusty after all.” Sylvie winked. “You’re right. I need to pull myself together. And do what?”
Elda steepled her fingers. “If you close your eyes, what’s the best thing you see happening?”
“I drive back to the city. I surprise Ade. Somehow, she thinks my company is preferable to her sister’s, she comes home with me and we pick up where we left off last night.”
“So make it happen.” Elda took her elbow and brought them both to a standstill.
