Chapter 9
Chapter 9
“ I just took a chance seeing if you’d be here,” Patrick informed her, when she reached him. “I thought with all the sight-seeing you’d planned you may have been out and about already.”
“I had intended to,” she admitted with an embarrassed laugh. “Unfortunately it seems my bed was more persuasive this morning.”
“I get that,” he chuckled. “Perhaps I can make up for it by giving you a personal tour around the city?”
“Don’t you have better things to do? I know you’re on holiday too, but you must’ve had other plans before you met me,” she queried.
There was a twinkle in his eye. “Plans can change. Besides, I think this will be lots more fun.”
Emily grinned and nodded.
“That’s settled then. Let’s go,” he stated, offering her an arm. Emily took it and they headed out of the hotel.
After a few minutes she recognised the route. “We’re headed to the Arc de Triomphe?”
“I thought it the best place to start our tour.”
“Great, I had it on my list of places to see because I only got a glimpse yesterday,” she informed him. “But do you mind stopping on the way? I’m a little hungry.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I know the perfect place to grab brunch,” he replied, turning them back around and heading in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going now?”
“You’ll see,” he informed her intriguingly.
The eclectic café Patrick took her to was a sight to behold. The furniture was reminiscent of the regency era, some chairs covered in a plush velvety blue, while others in leopard print. There were white monkey statues with lightbulbs in them and a large mirror adorned half of one wall. Emily would have loved to eat outside and enjoy the alfresco dining, but it was far too chilly, so she’d have to live that dream another day.
“Pick whatever you want - my treat,” Patrick stated as the menus were placed before them.
“I couldn’t,” Emily replied. “You’re already being my free tour guide. You should get something out of all this. I’ll buy this time.”
He touched her hand gently. “Who said I wasn’t getting something from this,” he said, his soft gaze set on hers and it made Emily’s stomach flip.
“OK,” she acquiesced softly. “Your treat.”
Was all the food so good in Paris? she wondered a few minutes later. With no breakfast she was famished and pumpkin soup was just what she needed on a chilly day, especially with delicious French roast.
“Now that you’re fed and watered, we can start our tour,” Patrick joked as he paid the bill.