Twenty-Seven
TWENTY-SEVEN
LUCAS
T homas picked us up from the airport with a loud, "Welcome to Paris, lovebirds." He was all smiles as he gave us hugs.
That smile is still plastered on his face as we all sit together in their living room, with him and Amélie on one sofa, and Leora and I on the other.
"I can’t believe Lucas has a wife. Never in a million years did I think he would settle down. Right, my love? Didn’t I tell you that Lucas always seems too focused on work and was no fun?" Thomas turns toward Amélie and points between Leora and I.
"Oh stop it, Thomas, you’ve been in shock for the past month. Can’t you see that he finally found the right woman?" The last part is said with a soft smile in Leora's direction.
Amélie and Thomas have been married for five years, but the three of us have been friends since university. That’s where we met; we bonded over our dislike for our Strategic Management professor, whose lectures could put anyone to sleep faster than a lullaby, but we all managed to get through the class together.
"So, tell us. How did he propose?" She aims her question at Leora.
"Oh yes! It’s a wonderful story." Leora looks at me with a smirk that promises mischief. Why she does that, I don’t know, because we already have a story where I proposed under the starlit sky—manly and romantic.
"He came over to my place just three months after we started talking. We were already head over heels for each other, but can you blame me?" she says, taking hold of my chin affectionately, "Just look at him. That evening, he decided to take me to a stunning rooftop terrace so we could look at the moon together."
"Oh, good job, brother," Thomas says, giving me a thumbs up.
"Yes, it was truly beautiful, but it gets better."
I glance at her, silently pleading with her to stick to the script. But she just smirks and continues, "As I get up to the terrace, I’m met by a live band that plays an acoustic version of ‘ Marry You ’ by Bruno Mars, and Lucas, who’s standing next to them, is wearing a white suit."
Thomas shifts his gaze to me, and the look on his face is making me want to scream. He’s looking at me as if he doesn't recognize me. I’ve stated once before that I would never be caught dead in a white suit. I only wear them in black, gray, or dark blue.
Just when I think the situation can't get any worse, Leora starts talking again, and I can feel every nerve in my body telling me to make her stop.
Leora looks at me with a sly smile before turning back to Amélie, who's leaning forward in her seat with anticipation. "So, Lucas walks towards me slowly, and hands me a large box with a blue bow on top."
Amélie's eyes widen as she asks, "What was inside the box?"
Leora's grin grows wider as she continues, "Inside the box was a teddy bear, dressed in a matching white suit, holding another small box. Inside that box was a beautiful ring, and when I looked up, Lucas was down on one knee, a tear running down his cheek, holding a love letter that he read to me. It said?—"
"It said, 'Will you marry me? Yes or no?'" I interject, hoping to put an end to her ridiculous story. "She said yes, and that's the end of it."
Thomas burst out laughing and I can feel my face turning bright red.
"A teddy bear in a matching suit," he echoes as he wipes the tears from his eyes. "Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?"
"I think it’s sweet!" Amélie says, slapping Thomas’s shoulder.
"Can I see your ring, Leora?"
"Of course." Leora stretches her hand proudly toward Amélie and I curse the day I let her keep that joke of a ring.
"It’s beautiful."
I can’t help but jump in. "The real one is still being resized. She chose this in the meantime."
Amélie smirks at me before taking a sip of her wine.
Leora and I exchange a glance, both of us aware of the many battles we’ve had about the ring, so I decide to get back at her for that horrible proposal story and the ring fiasco.
"Amélie, for dinner tonight, would it be possible to change the reservation to Restaurant Le Benkay? I would love for Leora to try it, it’s one of her favorite cuisines."
Leora looks at me with a curious gaze. She’s going to kill me and I can’t wait.
"Of course, I’m friends with the chef’s wife."
"Oh, what kind of restaurant is it?" Leora asks Amélie, sounding a bit hesitant.
"It’s one of the best sushi restaurants in Paris, you’ll love it. It’s also very close to La tour Eiffel. Lucas told me you’ve never been to Paris, so of course I’m taking you to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up," Amélie replies with enthusiasm.
I can see the surprise and confusion on Leora's face. She hates sushi, and I know it.
Leora turns to me with a smile. "How lovely of you to think of me," she says, but I know what that smile conveys. She’s planning my funeral as we speak.
"You have to try this one, too, Leora." This is the fourth sushi piece I’ve watched Leora struggle to swallow. Amélie seems insistent on making her try every single type of sushi on the menu. The look on her face is one of pure disgust, which she is trying to hide behind a smile. I’ll give her credit, she’s doing a decent job at it.
"Thank you," she says, attempting to eat another piece. I’m starting to feel a little bad. She really hates it, and from the look of it, she might puke soon. Her face has adopted a green sheen, but I don’t want her to leave the restaurant without having a proper dinner.
Spotting a nearby waiter, I wave him over. "Bonsoir, can I order the Black Angus beef filet, please?"
Leora turns to me, a pleading look in her eyes.
"How would you like it?" the waiter asks.
My eyes go to her in question as I silently try to communicate that the meal is for her. She seems to understand because she mouths, " Medium."
"Medium, please."
He walks away, and Leora lets out a sigh of relief. She leans in to me and whispers, so only I can hear, "Thank you so much. I really couldn't take another piece of sushi."
I smile at her. "No problem. I just want you to enjoy your meal."
"Well, it’s your fault I’m in this situation in the first place. I haven’t forgiven you yet."
I put my hand on her cheek and lean in a little closer. "Sorry about that, but it’s what you get for such a ridiculous proposal story."
"Do you guys need a room?"
I straighten up and see Thomas grinning mischievously.
Amélie rolls her eyes. "Behave Thomas, let the newlyweds be."
The waiter returns with Leora’s meal—cooked to perfection—and places it in front of me, but I move it so it’s in front of her. Amélie casts me a glance, because I had previously said that sushi was Leora’s favorite food.
"I really want her to try this, it’s my favorite," I say.
Amélie’s face lights up at that. "Oh, that’s so sweet."
Leora takes a bite of the meat and her face lights up with delight as she does that little happy dance of hers.
Adorable, as always. I’m never going to get tired of seeing that.
We continue our dinner, chatting and laughing together, and as we finish up, I suggest we walk to the Eiffel Tower, to help digest our dinner.
We stroll through the streets, taking in the city lights and enjoying the cool evening breeze. The Seine River flows beside us, its gentle ripples reflecting the city lights like a liquid mirror. The iconic Eiffel Tower looms ahead, its silhouette outlined against the Parisian night sky. It feels like we have the whole city to ourselves, like nothing else exists beyond the four of us.
The warmth of Leora's hand in mine, combined with the soft chatter and laughter from Thomas and Amélie next to us, creates a sense of contentment and happiness within me.
I glance over at Leora, and she catches my gaze, a small smile playing on her lips.
"What?" I ask
"I can’t believe I’m on my way to see the Eiffel Tower."
I use my other hand to point up. "If you look up, you can see it." Leora tilts her head back, her eyes tracing the iconic structure as she marvels at its sheer size and beauty.
We reach the Eiffel Tower, and it's beautiful as always; its metal structure glittering in the dark night sky.
"Wow."
"It’s beautiful, right?" Amélie asks and all Leora is able to do is nod.
"Come on, let’s take the elevator to the top. The line is almost empty," Thomas suggests. Leora’s head immediately snaps to him. She still hasn’t told me about her fear of elevators, but I’m certain of it now.
"Oh no, we don’t have to go up. You guys have probably already been up there hundreds of times."
"Of course, we must. It's your first time here. Don't worry about us," Thomas insists.
I immediately notice the defeat and stiffness in her shoulders, and I try to come up with a way to get her out of this without putting her on the spot.
"Guys, let’s skip the elevator ride today. I need to get back home to finish some work. I’ll take her to see it another day, I promise."
They all stop, and Amélie looks at me, a bit disappointed.
"Are you sure?" she asks, giving Leora a glance.
I nod, giving Leora’s hand a gentle squeeze.
"Yeah, let’s save it for another time." Leora gives me a grateful smile, and I know I made the right decision.
"Okay then, but at least let me get a cute photo of you two in front of it." Amélie crouches down, lowering the phone, so she’ll get as much of the tower as she can. I stand with my arm around Leora.
"Can you look any stiffer?" Thomas calls out.
Leora leans her head against me in an attempt to look more relaxed, and Amélie immediately snaps a few pictures.
"Do something else. You look awkward," Thomas chimes in again.
"Stop with your commentary, Thomas."
"He’s right though," Amelié says. "Why don’t you turn toward each other and kiss for the camera? That would be really cute to capture."
I clear my throat and look at Amélie. "Uh, I don’t think that’s necessary."
"Come on, bro, kiss your wife," Thomas says with a chuckle.
Leora and I exchange a quick glance.
"Kiss your wife! Kiss your wife! Kiss your wife!" He continues cheering.
We turn to face each other, and I swipe away some hair from her face.
My hand goes to her waist, and the other one cups her cheek before I lean down slowly, pressing my lips to hers, wanting to savor her. Leora’s soft lips are inviting, and she responds to my kiss almost immediately.
With that, all thoughts of going "slow" are discarded. My other hand finds her waist, and I grip her firmly, pulling her closer. She wraps both arms around my neck to steady herself. The rapid beat of her heart against my chest becomes evident as we start to explore each other's mouths. With each movement, the intensity between us grows, sending electric currents through my body. Her fingers run through my hair, drawing me nearer as she deepens the kiss, our tongues dancing together.
I never want this moment to end, and I can't get enough of her.
Soft moans pass through her lips into mine, and I feel another surge of desire at those sounds. It's like a signal that ignites something inside of me, making me want her more.
A loud cough from Thomas breaks the spell, and we pull away, both of us blushing. I was so lost in her that I forgot they were watching us.
Amélie is giggling, and Thomas is grinning broadly. "Finally, some real action!" he says with a laugh.
"I almost thought you guys were afraid of each other."
Our breaths are heavy and labored as I stare into her eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort or hesitation, but all I see is desire and longing. Leora looks at me, her cheeks still flushed.
"That was unexpected," she says softly.
I nod, still feeling a little dazed. "Yeah, but . . . it was nice."
It was more than nice. It was electric. I can still feel the sparks between us, and I don't want them to fade away.
We stand there, caught in a moment of intimacy, before Amélie jumps up from her crouched position. "Oh my God, you guys!" she exclaims, running toward us.
"Look at the pictures! They turned out so good. You have to get this one framed."
I look at the photo; it really is a great picture. Leora is leaning back slightly, her hair cascading down her back and I'm holding on to her waist, with our lips connected.
We look like a real couple. I think about what Amélie said and decide on printing that photo when we get home. I’ll frame it and hang it in my office to make our relationship more believable, because couples take photos on vacation.
"You should post this on Instagram, Leora," Amélie says, still grinning from ear to ear. Leora nods and does just that after Amélie sends the photo over.