Chapter Seven The River That Carries Us #2
Camille noticed. Of course she did. Her expression softened, just a little.
She didn’t push.The speaker came on softly.
“Mesdames et messieurs”Camille turned her head toward the river again, listening.
“On your right, you will now see the Grand Palais, known for its iconic glass dome and exhibitions.”Camille looked out at the building as it came into view.
“Wow”But her voice was quieter now. More thoughtful.
Simone stood beside her, her eyes drifting back to Camille.
And this time, she didn’t hide it. Then Camille let out a small breath.
“We should probably go back.”Simone looked at her for a moment.
Then nodded.“Yeah.”They turned together, stepping away from the railing.
The wind softened as they stepped back inside the cabin, the warmth of the enclosed space wrapping around them.The noise changed too, quieter, calmer.
The sound of conversation, the soft clink of glasses.
Camille walked ahead, sliding back into her seat.Simone followed, taking her seat across from her.
Camille exhaled and looked out at the water again.
“That was”She shook her head.“I don’t even have a word for it.
”Simone smiled.“Yeah.”A server passed by, and Simone lifted her hand slightly.
“Excuse me.”The server stopped.“Yes, madame?”“Could we get two glasses of champagne, please?”The server nodded.
“Of course.”Camille looked back at Simone.
“Champagne?”“Feels appropriate.”Camille let out a small laugh.
“Yeah, it does.”A few moments later, the server returned, placing two glasses on the table.
“Enjoy, mesdames.”“Merci,” Simone said.Camille picked up her glass slowly, watching the bubbles rise.
Simone lifted hers as well. They paused for a second.
Camille looked at her.“What are we toasting to?”Simone held her gaze.
“To you.”That made Camille look up.Simone softened.
“To you having a good time.”Camille smiled.She lifted her glass.
“To, Us.”Simone smiled back.“To Us.”Their glasses touched softly.
Camille took a small sip, her eyes moving back toward the window.
Simone watched her.Camille turned from the window, leaning in very close to Simone.The movement alone was enough to pull Simone’s attention.
She paused mid-sip, the rim of the glass just barely touching her lips.
“You’ve been different today.”Simone slowly lowered her glass, setting it down carefully on the table.
“No,” she said lightly. “This is how I usually am.”Camille leaned forward just a little more.
Enough for Simone to take deep breath, her heartbeat pounding all over again.Camille didn’t look away.
“You have,” she said softly. “It’s like, you’re very attentive.
And, sweet, charming even.”“Charming?” she repeated, but she didn’t meet Camille’s eyes.Because if she did, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to hide how much that meant.
Simones’s voice was calm, but certain.“We’re in Paris,” she said.
“I wanted it to be special.” Camille watched her.
Then she smiled. “It is.”Simone looked up.
Their eyes met again. Camille held it this time.
“Thank you.”Simone’s smiled. For a second, she forgot how to respond.
Then, softly.“You’re welcome, I’m here whenever you need someone to remind you how special you are.
”The words slipped out before she could stop them.Camille smiled.
She started to blush, and it wasn’t subtle.
She looked down for just a second, her fingers tightening slightly around her glass.Simone saw it.
And she couldn’t help the small smile that followed.She looked at Camille again, really looked at her.
And for a minute it felt like everything was about to change.The sound of the boat.
The sunlight filtering through the glass ceiling, reflecting on Camille’s face.
Simone inhaled slowly.The speaker came on gently, breaking through the quiet.
“Mesdames et messieurs”They looked up, the moment loosening just enough.
“We are now heading back toward the dock. Please ensure you have all your belongings as we prepare to disembark.”Camille leaned back slowly in her seat.
The spell didn’t break completely. Simone looked down, then back up.The river outside moved steadily beside them, carrying them back the way they came.
And somehow the return felt different than the beginning.Because now, things weren’t the same.The boat slowed as it approached the dock, the sound of the engine lowering as ropes were prepared along the side.Passengers began to stand, gathering their things, voices rising slightly as the cruise came to an end.
Camille looked out the window one last time.
“Already?” she murmured.Simone stood, smoothing her shirt.
“I know, I didn’t want it to end either.
”Camille smiled, standing as well.“Yeah, it was nice.”They moved with the rest of the passengers toward the exit, stepping carefully down the short ramp as the boat settled against the dock.It was a little cooler now.
The river moved behind them, steady as ever.
Camille paused for just a second at the bottom of the ramp, turning back briefly to look at the boat.They walked side by side along the dock, the soft sound of water against the stone following them.People passed around them, some laughing, others already checking their phones, but the space between Simone and Camille was different now.Closer.
The driver was already waiting by the car, standing beside the open door.
“Bonjour, mesdames.”“Bonjour,” Simone replied.Camille smiled as she approached.
“Hi.”The driver opened the door for them.
Simone gestured lightly.“After you.”Camille looked at her for a second, then stepped in.
Simone followed, sliding in beside her as the door closed behind them.The car pulled away smoothly from the curb, merging back into the slow rhythm of Paris streets. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Camille leaned her head back against the seat, looking out the window as the city passed by. She turned her head. Simone was already looking at her again. They locked eyes for a second. Then, she smiled. Simone felt it, it was different, warmer, intentional. She returned it, just as quietly.
The rest of the ride passed in a comfortable silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled.
When the car finally pulled up to the hotel, the driver stepped out, opening the door once more.
“Your hotel, mesdames.”Simone stepped out first, then turned, offering her hand to Camille.
Camille took it without hesitation. Simone helped her out of the car.Their hands lingered for just a second longer than necessary.
Then Simone let go. They walked toward the entrance together, the lobby just ahead.As they stepped inside, Camille let out a soft breath.
“That was, a lot.”Simone looked at her.“Is that good?”Camille smiled.
“Yeah.”They slowed near the elevator. Simone looked at her for a minute.
“We’re having dinner tonight,” she said.Camille raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”Simone smiled.“Café de l’Alma.”Camille blinked.
“You already planned dinner too?”Simone showed Camille the reservation.
“Of course I did.” Camille shook her head, smiling stepping inside as the elevator doors opened. “Of course you did.” Camille said with a big smile on her face.
Simone stepped inside beside her. The doors slid closed. And just like that, another moment to look forward to.