Chapter Twenty-Four Almost
An hour later, they were walking through the streets of Paris.
The morning air was cool. The sidewalks were busy.By late morning, they were wandering through Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Camille already decided it was her favorite part of Paris.The sidewalks were lined with cafés, bookstores, art galleries, and little boutiques tucked between centuries-old buildings.Every few steps, something new caught her attention.
A bakery. A storefront filled with handmade jewelry.
A tiny bookstore that looked like it belonged in a movie.Camille pointed across the street.
"I've already found three stores I want to go in.
""Only three?"Camille gave her a look."Five.
""That's more realistic."They crossed the street together, moving through tourists and locals along the sidewalk.
People sat outside cafés drinking coffee.Artists displayed paintings along side streets.
Music played from somewhere nearby. Camille couldn't stop looking around.Every time she thought she'd seen the prettiest street in Paris, another one appeared.
"This is exactly why I wanted to bring you here.
"Camille looked over."Why?"Simone smiled.
"That look, right there."Camille looked away for a second.
Then smiled. Before Simone could speak, Camille pointed toward another shop.
"Ooh.""I want to go in there.""Of course you do.
" Simone laughed.Camille was already pulling her toward the door.
She pulled Simone into a bookstore. Simone had spent the last twenty minutes following her from shelf to shelf while Camille examined every book that caught her attention.Not that Simone minded.
She was having a great time watching her.
Camille pulled another book from a shelf.Read the back.
Put it back. Picked up another. Then another.
A few minutes later, she paused. "Hmm."Simone looked up from where she was leaning against a nearby bookshelf.
"What?"Camille turned the book over."'Falling for You.
'"Simone smiled."What's it about?"Camille skimmed the back cover.
"Looks like a romance.""That's very helpful.
"Camille laughed. Then she continued reading.
"It says first dates, new experiences, and it's set in the fall.
""Honestly, it sounds kind of cozy."Simone looked at the cover.Then at Camille.
"Get it.""It's okay."Without another word, Simone took the book from her hands.
"Really?""Yes."The book disappeared beneath Simone's arm.
"Wait."Simone raised an eyebrow. "What?"Camille looked at the books tucked beneath her arm.Then back at her.
"Have you been holding every book I picked up?
"A smile appeared."Maybe, maybe not.""Simone.
""What?"Camille stared at her. The woman wasn't even trying to hide it.
"You've been carrying them this whole time.
""Yes.""Why?"Simone looked genuinely confused.
"Because you're getting them."Camille laughed.
"Simone.""What?""I never said I was buying these.
""You don't have to."The answer came so quickly that Camille just stared at her.
"Oh my God."Simone pointed toward another shelf.
"What else do you see?" Camille shook her head. Then turned back toward the books. She couldn’t help but smile. Because the truth was, she loved this version of Simone.
She was determined to spoil her. Whether she protested or not.
The trip to the register went exactly how Camille expected.And exactly how Simone planned.
"Simone.""What?""I can buy my own books.
""I know.""Then why are you paying for them?
"Simone handed her card to the cashier."Because I want to.
"Camille opened her mouth then closed it when she saw the look Simone gave her.
Because there was absolutely no arguing with that.A few moments later, the books were tucked safely into a shopping bag.
And Simone was too pleased with herself.Outside, the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés were even busier than before.
People filled the sidewalks.Camille slipped her hand into Simone's as they continued walking.
The bookstore bag swinging gently from Simone's wrist."Thank you.
"Simone looked over."You're welcome."Then Camille suddenly stopped.
Simone almost walked into her. Camille pointed.
A small boutique sat on the corner.Its front windows filled with dresses, handbags, and colorful scarves.
"Oh." Simone recognized that tone."What?
"Camille was already smiling."I want to go in there.
"Simone laughed."Of course you do."Camille looked at her.
She laughed as Camille pulled her toward the door.
The small bell above it chimed as they stepped inside.Camille began looking around.
Racks of clothes. Shelves lined with jewelry and accessories sat against the walls.The boutique felt warm and inviting.
The kind of place you wandered into for five minutes and somehow stayed for an hour.Simone already knew how this was going to end.
Camille was going to find something she loved.
And she was going to try very hard not to buy it.Which meant Simone was probably going to buy it.The boutique was filled with soft sweaters, graphic t-shirts, scarves, handbags, candles, and shelves lined with little Paris-themed gifts.Camille loved it.
She watched as Camille wandered from display to display, picking things up and putting them back down.A few minutes later, Camille stopped in front of a rack of t-shirts.
She pulled one free. A simple cream-colored shirt with a small Paris design stitched across the front.
"I like this."Simone took it from her.Camille blinked.
"Really?"Simone tucked it beneath her arm.Camille smiled.
Then picked up another. Simone took that one too.
"Simone."She smiled."Keep looking."Camille shook her head.
A few minutes later she found a display of sunglasses.
She tried on a pair.Looked in the mirror.
Then grabbed another pair and walked over to Simone.
"Hold still."Simone barely had time to react before Camille slid them onto her face.
Camille stepped back."Those are definitely coming home with us.
"Simone laughed."Us?""Yes."Without hesitation, Camille added them to the growing collection beneath Simone's arm.The sunglasses disappeared into the pile.
A little farther into the store, Camille spotted a basket filled with travel blankets.She reached for one.
The fabric was soft. Perfect for a long flight.
"This would be nice on the plane."Simone nodded.
"Then get it."Camille smiled.The blanket joined everything else.
They continued wandering through the boutique.
Stopping whenever something caught Camille's attention.By the time they finally made their way toward the register, Simone's arms were full.
Camille looked at the pile.Then at Simone.
Then at the pile again. "That's a lot.""It is.
"Camille reached for her purse. Simone looked at her.
That look again, the one that says, “I wish you would”.
Camille stopped. The purse slowly lowered.
"Okay."A few minutes later the bags were packed.
As they stepped back onto the streets of SaintGermain-des-Prés, Camille slipped her hand into Simone's.Camille couldn't stop smiling.After another hour of wandering through Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Camille finally pointed toward a small café on the corner.
"I'm thirsty."Simone laughed."Come on?"A few minutes later, they stepped inside.
The café was busy but cozy. After looking at the menu for a minute, Camille ordered an iced raspberry lemonade.Something cold and refreshing.
Simone went with a sparkling citrus lemonade.Then, because neither of them could help themselves, they picked out a couple of treats from the display case.A chocolate-filled pastry for Camille.
A lemon tart for Simone. Everything was packed to go.
A few minutes later, they were back outside, walking slowly through the streets.Drinks in hand.
Pastries tucked into small paper bags. Camille took a bite and closed her eyes.Simone smiled. "Good?"Camille nodded.
"Very." Watching Camille enjoy herself, become her new favorite hobby. They kept walking down the sidewalk. Taking their time. No schedule. No rush.
Just another afternoon in Paris. Exactly the way both of them wanted it.
A few minutes later, Camille took another bite of her pastry.
"Want some?""Sure."Camille broke off a small piece, then held it out.
Simone started to reach for it. Then looked down.
One arm full of books.The other holding shopping bags.
Camille laughed."My hands are a little occupied.
"Camille stepped closer. The piece of pastry still between her fingers.
Close enough that neither of them was really thinking about the pastry anymore.
"Open."Simone laughed softly. Then did. Camille fed her the bite.
Simone looked up again, neither of them moved.
Camille was still standing there.Closer than necessary.
Simone's eyes dropped to Camille's lips.
Camille noticed. Then she looked down. To Simone's mouth.It was quick.
But not quick enough. The thought hanging between them.
Clear as day. A customer walked past them.
The moment cracked.Camille stepped back first, blushing.
"The pastry was good."Camille stared at her for a second.
Then laughed."That's what you're going with? "Simone smiled."It was."
Camille shook her head. Still smiling. Still blushing. And neither of them mentioned what they'd actually been thinking about in the moment.Eventually, they managed to continue shopping. Though neither of them seemed as focused as they had been before.
Camille picked out a few more things. A journal.
A candle she swore she didn't need. A handful of postcards she didn’t need.Simone bought them anyway.
Twenty minutes later, they found themselves standing at the register.A few minutes later, the bags were packed.
The purchases were made. And they were back outside on the streets of Paris.They spotted the driver waiting near the curb.
The moment he saw them, he stepped forward and opened the door.
"Good afternoon.""Hi," Simone said.The driver smiled then looked at her.
"To Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?""Yes."Camille stopped.Slowly turning her head toward Simone.
"Wait."Simone recognized that tone."What?
"Camille pointed."Isn't that where all the designer stores are?
"Simone smiled."Yeah.""Simone.""What?" "No.
"The smile on Simone's face only grew."We're just looking.
"Camille narrowed her eyes."We are?""Of course.
"The look she got made it very clear Camille didn't believe her.
Simone laughed."We can't come to Paris and not see it.
"Before Camille could argue, the driver nodded.
"It is very beautiful."Both women looked over.
The driver smiled."Definitely something every visitor should see.
"Simone pointed at him."See?"Camille groaned.
"I don't like either of you right now."The driver laughed.
Simone looked a little too pleased with herself.
Finally, Camille gave in and climbed into the car.
"Fine."Simone followed her inside. The door closed.
The driver pulled away from the curb. Camille looked over. "Okay.""What?"
"No surprises." Simone smiled as she reached over. Took Camille's hand and lifted it to her lips and pressed a soft kiss to her hand.
Simone smiled. "No promises."