She waves, and I do back, laughing at how wonderful this all feels, then eventually, Zane closes the laptop down, leaving me warm and filled with love.
“We should, you know, go to Paris. That would be great, wouldn’t it?”
“I would have to get time off work…” I tap my chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to make that happen.”
“Oh, I know,” he reassures me. “I wouldn’t do it unless you could, but if you’d like…”
“Well, I’ve always wanted to see more of the world and that seems as good a place as any…”
“Great, then one day we shall do it. Paris, it is!”
24
Zane
“French food is amazing,” I announce, gripping onto my stomach because it’s so full now. “I can now fully understand why you live here, Mom. It’s the best.”
“Yeah?” She leans her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder, grinning at me. “Well, I’m just glad that you’re here. It’s awesome to have you in Paris. And with such a wonderful woman.”
Nova turns pink, just like she always does when someone pays her a compliment, but especially my mom. She holds her in a very high regard, I suppose because they share certain things that no one else can really understand. Including me.
“I can see why you live here as well,” Nova agrees. “It’s just lovely.”
“You should come and stay here some time for an extended period, there are some great cooking programs. You could hone your skills in the best way possible.”
Nova nods, loving this idea. “Yes, maybe we will.”
A while ago, the thought of spending time in a different country, leaving my business behind would have been completely unthinkable. I wouldn’t have been able to leave my business for such a long time, but I guess I have left the workaholic side of me behind. I don’t need to make more money, that isn’t vital to my existence, now I can spend time doing other things. Like being happy with Nova and bringing her to Paris if this is what she wants.
“What do you two have planned for this afternoon?” Mom darts her eyes between us both, pausing to wink at me only when she knows that Nova isn’t looking. “Anything nice.”
My glare is a warning, this might be a step too far, but Nova doesn’t immediately see it.
“Zane is taking me to the Eifel Tower, which is going to be amazing. I really cannot wait.”
“You’ve never been before?” Mom replies.
“I haven’t ever been out of the country before. Hell, I haven’t ever been out of Las Vegas before, this is all very new to me. I didn’t have parents to take me away, and I didn’t have the money to take myself anywhere because Jeremy wouldn’t let me…”
“Of course, those men are all the same.” Mom rolls her eyes. “Well, I hope your cooking will take you around the world now. There is just so much to see.”
Mom words that perfectly. She senses Nova’s pride and wants to do things for herself. She even used her first few paychecks to repay me for the clothing, even the parts I told her was a gift. I didn’t want to take it, but she insisted. Now, she contributes everything that she can, so she has her own power and control. I completely understand her need to do that.
“There is so much I want to see, so I’m very happy now.”
“Well, if you aren’t busy tomorrow, maybe you would like to come shopping with me. I know some lovely little shopping districts that aren’t always swamped with tourists.”
“Oh, thank you, that would be amazing.”
I can clearly see them having a girly day together and it’s an image that I like very much. I never knew how important it was to have my mom and girlfriend get on, but this confirms it all. Seeing them together really warms my heart.
“Right.” I glance at my watch and acknowledge the time. “We should probably get going. We have a lot to see and we don’t want to miss the Eifel Tower.”
My fingers curl around the small box in my pocket and my plan comes to life in my mind once more. I just hope it all goes to plan. As soon as we discussed Paris, I knew that it was the perfect place to do this. It all just fits together, but now as the time grows nearer, nerves dart in and I have to admit that I’m a little bit scared. I really hope that she reacts just as I want her to.
Don’t talk yourself out of this now, I warn myself. This has to happen.
Nova takes my hand and I can hear her talking to me the whole way as we walk through the city of love. I must have made noises in the right place because she doesn’t seem to notice that I’m being quiet. Either that or she is so swept up in the country that she doesn’t need me.