This is so far from what I thought he’d say that I gape at him for a few seconds. “Where we met?”
“Met? You sound as if we’re conducting the romance of the century.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, what would you have me say instead? Oh, the club where you bought me for sex.”
We’ve stopped at the curb, and a couple next to us gives us shocked glances before moving away quickly.
He sighs. “Thank yousomuch for that.”
“You’re welcome. So, a party?”
“Yes, it’s the anniversary of it opening.” He studies me for a few seconds, his eyes a sharp blue, his mouth a firm line. “I would like you to go with me.”
Instinctively, I want to say no. It would be like reinforcing the walls between us when I’ve been hoping they were beginning to slip. I swallow. “Okay,” I finally say, and I can’t help the slight note of worry in my voice. Worry and hurt.
He starts to walk again, and I try to resume my commentary and questions about the scenery, but I can’t. Some of the day’s shine seems to have worn off. We pass a lady in a tiered prom dress seemingly made out of PVC who’s leading a poodle on a diamond-studded lead. The poodle looks faintly put out, which is hardly surprising, but I can’t even spare them a second glance. I don’t even want to go back to our game, even though she’s a prime candidate for speculation.
Mac comes to a stop and raises his hand to flag down a taxi. We climb in, and he gives the driver the name of a street I don’t recognise.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
I abruptly decide to shove away my hurt. The desire to break free of the mould he’s firmly constructed is all on my side. He’d wanted to spend some time with me, and that’s enough of an accomplishment for today.
“Montmartre.”
“Oh, really?” I say eagerly. His face relaxes a little. Was he worried I was upset? “I’ve heard a lot about it. Isn’t that where Van Gogh lived for a while?”
“A lot of artists lived there. It’s a charming place with a quirky feel to it. I’ll point out some of the sights on the way, and you can tell me later what you’ve liked best.”
He keeps me entertained with interesting details about the neighbourhoods, and it’s an obvious ploy to avoid further questions about his personal life. I go along with it, eventhough it makes me want to laugh. He’d given me nuggets of information about himself and so of course I’d want to keep digging.
Montmartre is beautiful, and I immediately fall in love with it. It lacks the polished glamour of the designer shopping area and somehow feels more like me. I wonder if he knew that, and this is why we came here today. My belly warms at the thought.
We walk down winding cobbled streets past little cafes and shops. Tall buildings with pretty shutters line the roads, and trees rustle overhead. He obviously knows the place well and I wondered if he’d be bored, but he stays by my side, seemingly happy to go at my pace as I stop to gape at every little thing we see. The only thing he demurs at is my taking fifty photos of the windmill Mac said is called Moulin Radet.
“No, I willnotpose,” he says in a revolted tone. I take another snap, and he grimaces. “It’s not as if the building is moving. You surely could have managed one competent shot by now.”
“I don’t know what it says about me that I enjoy your grouchiness,” I tell him, sliding my phone into my pocket. “Probably nothing good.”
We walk on, and after a while, I dare to slide my arm through his. He directs a speaking glance at me, and I make an innocent face. “What?”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“That’s a long word. What does it mean?”
He rolls his eyes. “Look it up in theDa Vinci Code.”
I laugh, and I can feel pleasure in the body close to mine.
“There’s a lot of greenery here. This place feels a bit like the countryside,” I say as we walk past an open area with plants covered by netting. “What’s that?”
“Prime real estate,” he says rather acerbically.
I hide my smile. “So, why is it covered in plants and not very expensive buildings that you own?”
“They’re grapevines. They’re harvested every year, and they make wine from them. They have a big party after the harvest.”
We walk on. “Have you been to the party?” I finally ask.
