Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
JEMMA
“How big of a tree are we searching for?” I ask, navigating my way through Marché aux Fleurs, a floral shop that doubles as a Christmas tree store, nestled between the gorgeous Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame.
This area is quickly climbing my list of favorite areas in the city.
Just last night, we visited the Le Marché de Noel de Notre-Dame, another spectacular Christmas market, to make up for the night Colette ruined.
Well, maybe not totally ruined. Let’s just say it ended on a high note, if you catch my drift.
“I think we should get this one.” Luca gestures toward a small tabletop tree.
I scrunch up my nose. “That’s not a tree. It’s a shrub.”
“I take it that’s a no,” he replies, his gaze lingering on mine.
I bite my lip, feeling a familiar flutter in my stomach at the sight of him. Even in the most casual outfit—slim-cut dark blue jeans and a baby blue button-up poking out from under his dark jacket—he’s perfect. Especially now that I know he’s single and where he sneaks off to every morning.
For the first time, I notice a parade of longing glances directed at him, but he’s completely oblivious; his eyes are glued to mine.
When I finally manage to peel my gaze away from him, I spy it—the tallest, most magnificent tree in the shop.
“This is the one!” I squeal as the earthy scent of fresh pine fills my senses. “This is the first tree I’ve bought in three years. It has to be absolutely perfect.”
“Do you really think I can haul that giant thing all the way back to my apartment?” he asks, tapping his foot, brows raised.
“I guess I didn’t think of how we’d get it home.” I giggle, imagining us hauling my chosen tree back to Luca’s apartment. “I do really love this tree, though.” I pout, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
“Oh, mon petit lapin,” he says with a mischievous smirk, pulling me behind the towering evergreen, away from prying eyes. His lips crash into mine, igniting a burst of fireworks in my chest, my knees turning to jelly.
“But this tree . . .” I pull back, batting my eyelashes as I run my finger along the branches.
“I can’t say no to you, can I?”
I shake my head dramatically, trying to hold back a smile, but failing miserably.
“Well, then you definitely can’t say no to me when I ask you to be my date to my boss’s Christmas party on Saturday.”
“I would absolutely love to be your date. Well, as long as this tree is really coming home with us.” I dig into my bag and pull out a small wrapped package.
I carefully remove the paper and delicately weave a branch through the loop.
“It’s ours now!” I declare, stepping back to admire the small oval-shaped glass ornament with a hand-painted elf on the front that I snagged at the Christmas market. “Now it’s perfect.”
* * *
The metro is packed, and it’s not even rush hour.
Oops.
At least the shop attendant wrapped the tree in netting, making it a bit easier for Luca to transport.
“The things I do for you,” Luca says with a twisted grin as he wrangles our perfect Christmas tree through the sliding doors.
With a few quick shuffles, the crowd parts just enough to give us a sliver of space to the right of the doors.
“It’s just three stops,” Luca keeps repeating under his breath. “Just three stops.”
I yank my scarf up over my mouth, stifling a laugh that’s bubbled up. Watching Luca with his arms wrapped around our gigantic tree is downright hilarious. This is something I’ll never forget.
We jostle with the car as a panorama of blurry, fast-moving tunnels flash by, and before we know it, an announcement signals our stop. Luca lets out a loud sigh of relief.
“That wasn’t so bad now, was it?” I joke.
“That’s easy for you to say,” Luca playfully responds.
A wave of gasps echo through the people behind us as we exit the train car. On the platform, Luca hoists the tree over his shoulder and carries it up the steps and the rest of the way to his apartment.
I follow closely behind, snapping photos of our adventure along the way and sending them off to Gretchen.
Jemma: I think I’ve found THE ONE!
Gretchen: The tree or the man?
Jemma: Both!
Gretchen: First, cookies and now this. Jemma Jones is back!
Jemma: I don’t want to leave! I’m falling hard for Luca!
Gretchen: Just enjoy your time together. Everything will fall into place.
Gretchen: Trust me!