This chapter is dedicated to secretpoet_19 thank you for all the votes you've been leaving. I hope you continue to enjoy the book :)

Oscar walks in, and I watch some admiring gazes being cast his way from the girls waiting in a line. His eyes find me as soon as he walks in, and my face breaks into a smile when I see his grin. It really has been too long. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a hug when I slip out of my chair to greet him.

"It's so good to see you, ma chérie." He says, pulling away. His gray-blue eyes sparkle under the fluorescent lights as he stares down at me. "You look beautiful."

"It's good to see you too, Ossie. It's been so long." I say, and he scrunches his face up.

"You still insist on using that awful nickname?"

"Always." I wink, and he smiles, flashing his dimples.

I am still in shock by the astonishing turn of events. I watch, dazed, as he orders a drink and settles beside me.

"Are you gonna tell me how you're here?" I ask.

"Cutting right to the chase." He chuckles. "Well, I was invited to be a part of an Art History Seminar at the University of Colombia. I thought I'd swing by here to see you. I'm only staying a night."

I try not to look flustered. I am flattered and almost embarrassed that he came all the way here just to see me. I don't know what the appropriate response is.

"It's great to see you, but you shouldn't have come all the way here. If you called me, I'd have told you not to come."

"It's a good thing I didn't call then. Do you really think I'd come to the U.S and not see you?" He laughs. "Even Esmée would kill me if I did that."

I chuckle and try not to overthink it. Oscar was always a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, doing things on a whim.

"How is Esmée?" I ask.

"Juggling Ballet and Acting School. She's dating some Duke. He is the biggest snob I've ever met." He shudders, and my eyes widen.

"She is dating someone named Duke, right? Not an actual Duke?" I ask, and he laughs heartily.

"I'll tell her you said that. How I've missed you, ma petite chérie."

I smile at the familiar term of endearment.

"I want details. She never mentioned dating a freaking Duke when we talked last week! Where did they meet?"

"You didn't think I'd come all the way here to chat over coffee in a crowded mall, did you?" He raises a brow. "I am gonna buy you a proper meal at a decent restaurant of your choosing, and we'll talk more then. I hope you're free tonight."

I try not to let my uneasiness show. I already made plans to go over to Liam's to watch movies and have a sleepover. It's been a while since we spent a night together. But I can't just say, No, thanks, I'm busy, to Oscar when he came all the way here just to see me.

He raises a brow in question, and I flash him a smile. I'm gonna have to hope that Liam understands. I would be the most awful person if I rejected his invite when he came all this way to see me.

"Sure, I'd like that," I tell him, and he grins.

When I look up, I catch Liam's eyes across the room. He is frowning, staring at us in puzzlement. My eyes stay glued on him as he makes his way towards us.

When he reaches our table, he leans down to give me a peck on the lips. I turn to Oscar, my cheeks flushed.

"Liam, this is Oscar, my friend from France. And Oscar, this is Liam. My boyfriend." I introduce.

Both guys exchange a handshake followed by pleasantries, and I try not to freak out. Liam's expression is unreadable, and it makes me feel uneasy. I like to think I know him well, and it's unnerving when I can't read him at all.

"Well, I should probably head back. I need to get some reading done." Oscar gets up, sensing the shift in the air. "Let me know where you'd like to go, Ma chérie. I'll see you later." He shoots me a smile, and I return it.

"It was nice meeting you, Liam." He says, turning to Liam.

"Likewise," Liam replies sharply, his face not giving anything away.

As soon as Oscar walks away, I reach for Liam's hand and slip my fingers into his.

"Ma chérie?" He raises a brow.

"That is his nickname for everyone." I lie. "I know I should have warned you about him. But I didn't even know myself. He came for a seminar and decided to drop by without telling me."

"A seminar where?" Liam asks, hazel eyes penetrating mine.

"Colombia," I answer.

"He came here from New York just to see you?"

"Yeah, we're good friends," I say, and he looks at me incredulously.

"Don't pretend you don't know the guy is in love with you. He was probably looking for a chance to fly out and see you."

"Don't be ridiculous, Liam. I told you it is purely platonic between him and me."

"Even you don't believe that, Jess." He snaps, and I snatch my hands away from him.

I just finished fighting with my best friend over something I don't even fully understand. I'm not about to fight with him over this. We should be way past unnecessary jealousy by now.

"Actually, I do believe that. A friend came out to see me because he is in the States. I don't understand what's so crazy about that. New York is not that far away. It's not like he flew across the globe to see me."

"A friend you kissed once or twice? Don't kid yourself!" His eyes are spitting fire, and I'm getting enraged by the second.

"I'm only just having dinner with him, Liam. I thought you would understand."

"Dinner? You're going out with him? I hope you're joking."

"He came out here to see me, and he is only here for a night. What do you expect me to do?"

"Nothing, I guess. I didn't realize we had an open relationship." He says venomously, and I stand up.

"That's not a fair thing to say." Stupid tears threaten my eyes, but I swallow them. "I'm going home. I can't fight with you right now."

"Yeah, you'd rather run. I know." He says coldly, and I hurry out before the tears start spilling down.

***

When I get home, mom has already left to work. And I find Anna in the kitchen, making the twins a sandwich.

"Hey, Anna," I greet.

"Jess," She smiles, but her face instantly falls. "You okay?" She asks.

I didn't know I was that transparent.

"I've been better," I admit, pulling bottled water out of the fridge.

"Bad day?"

"Yup," I say, taking a long sip and letting the cold water hydrate my dry throat.

"Help yourself to these." She extends a plate, and I gratefully grab a sandwich.

Anna is only a couple of years older than I am, but sometimes I feel like she is a wise old woman. It's just the way she carries herself. I wish I was that mature and poised.

"Where are the boys?" I ask.

"Upstairs. They are playing video games. I thought I'd make them something to eat. This should hold them till dinner."

I smile at her warmly.

"You're gonna make a great mom," I tell her, and she laughs.

"I'm way too young for that. Don't give me any ideas." She says, and I chuckle.

"I'll be upstairs in my room if you need me," I tell her before stepping out.

***

I fall on my bed face first when I walk into my room. I didn't know today would be such a rollercoaster. Liam is being unreasonable, and Steff was just impossible. There is a part of me that wants to call Liam and apologize. But for what? I just hate fighting with him. I hope he realizes that he was being unreasonably cruel with the whole open relationship thing.

I drowse off after a few minutes, exhausted by all that happened. And I wake up two hours later to a text from Oscar asking me if I have decided where we should get dinner and another one from mom asking me how my day went. And none from Liam or Steff.

I reply to Oscar and tell him about Château de Colmar. It's stupid that he just came from France and I am taking him to a French restaurant, but that place holds a lot of memories for me. It is the place I first told Liam that I loved him. And right now, I need something that helps me feel connected to him because I woke up with a huge pit in my stomach.

I take a quick shower and do my make up nice. It takes me a few minutes to choose an outfit and touch up my hair. The least I can do is compensate for my foul mood by looking decent.

***

The ride to Château de Colmar is quiet and chilly. The snow is falling softly, and the trees are silent. When I walk into the restaurant, Oscar is already there, sitting by the window at a corner.

A smile tugs at my lips when we lock eyes, and he gives me a huge grin. I don't know why, but it reminds me of the last time he took me out in Marseille. We were in a boat, sitting in a corner right by the window, watching the Seagulls fly around the shore.

"You look stunning, ma belle." He kisses me on both cheeks, European style.

I shrug my coat off, and he drapes it over the seat.

"I know I should have suggested something more local, but this should help in case you are feeling homesick," I tell him apologetically, and he flashes me a dimpled smile.

"It's lovely. I heard they have a Vineyard in the back."

"Yeah, they host weddings and other ceremonies. It's more beautiful in the summer." I tell him, the Hamilton's Anniversary flashing in my mind.

"When you come to France, I'll take you to Colmar. It looks like it's straight out of a storybook. I'm sure you'll love it." He says as the waiter shows up to take our orders.

Oscar speaks to the waiter in French, and his face instantly lights up. I only catch a few words I know, but for the most part, I remain oblivious. I watch as they exchange a few lines and burst into laughter.

After we place our order, we sit catching up.

"Now, will you tell me the story about the Duke?" I ask.

"Ah! The Duke." He chuckles. "She met him at a Horse Riding Competition in Monaco. I told her I thought he was a square the first time I met him, but my disapproval only seemed to excite her." He rolls his eyes.

"That sounds like Esmée," I say, laughing.

"Tell me about you. How is school? Have you been applying to Colleges?" He asks.

"Yeah, I got into Rochester and a couple of other schools. I got accepted to PCA too." I tell him, and his face lights up.

"You applied to PCA? I didn't know you were considering schools in France. Why didn't you tell me? I know most of the administration there. I could have put in a word for you." He shakes his head. "But I guess it really doesn't matter because you got in."

"Esmée always talked about how great it is, and I thought, why not." I chuckle. "But, I have actually decided to go to Rochester."

"Ah! That's a shame. Europe is where most artists dream of learning. There is so much history and culture." He says.

"I know, but it isn't home."

"It could be. I hope you reconsider. We'd love to have you there."

"I think I am settled on New York." I grin. "But I'd love to come and visit again," I tell him, and he smiles with resignation.

"I assume your boyfriend is also going to Rochester." He says, and my heart jumps at the mention of Liam.

He still hasn't texted me.

"No. Do you really take me for a girl who would follow a boy to college?" I raise a brow.

"Non, ma chérie." He chuckles. "How long have you two been dating?"

"Not long. A few months. But I feel like I have known him my whole life."

He stares at me intently with those stormy eyes, and I feel like he is looking into my soul. Oscar always had a way of making me feel like he can somehow read my mind.

"Tu l'aime, Jess?" He asks after a beat.

"I do." I nod. "I do love him."

"He's a lucky guy." He says with a small smile as our food shows up.

We eat while talking about school, his work, photography, and for a little while, I forget my worries, and I relax. The waiter brings us a Chocolate Mousse for dessert and tells us it's on the house.

"Looks like you charmed him with your French earlier." I laugh, digging into the delicious treat. "I haven't had a free meal since I left France. You're not good for my health."

I remember how much the owner seemed to be in awe of him at this one restaurant in Paris. Turns out, the man was a fan of photography and had seen some of Oscar's work at a friend's gallery. There were four of us that day, and we all ended up getting free deserts because of him. And there were a few occasions where we would go to a cafe, and they wouldn't let us pay because he had taken a picture for their Websites that apparently attracted more customers.

"I know how much you love your sweets. " He laughs.

When we finish up, I offer to drive him to his Hotel. The snow is no longer falling peacefully but has turned into a full-blown storm, and it's hard to even see clearly at this point.

"I feel terrible you came out here for me. Will you be okay driving back alone?" Oscar asks as I park outside of the Hotel.

"I'll be fine. I have experience navigating through these storms." I tell him, and he apprehensively nods.

"Call me when you get home, alright?" He says.

"I will. Thank's for dinner. I had a great time."

"Me too. It was good seeing you again." He smiles at me warmly. "Come out and visit us when you can, okay?"

"Okay." I nod.

He leans in and kisses my cheeks before stepping out.

"Bon Voyage, Capitaine!" He yells as I drive off, making me laugh out loud.

I turn the heat all the way up and warm my hands when they start to feel numb. An idea comes to my mind, and I grin. From where I am, Liam's house is closer and not only is it more convenient to go there but we already had plans to spend the night together so it'll be perfect. I hate that we are in a fight, and I can't believe he still hasn't called, but we will just have to figure it out. We always do.

The heat doesn't help much. I'm shivering, and my teeth are nearly chattering as I drive up to Liam's house. I spot a car parked outside, and I squint to see if it's Sabrina's. Liam usually parks in the garage, but it's hard to make it out through the storm.

As I get closer and closer, it slowly comes into focus, and my heart nearly halts. I take a deep breath and check the time.

9:47 P.M

What the hell is Red doing here at this hour?

A shiver runs down my spine as I step out of the car. But this time, it has nothing to do with the cold.

***

Hey, babes. I finally got in the rhythm of updating every Friday. I know it's only once a week, but when I strive to update frequently, I stress myself out and end up not writing anything at all. And even worse, sometimes I force myself and end up hating a chapter and deleting it. Writing is something I've loved ever since I was in third grade. I don't ever want to be in a mental space where writing is stressful and something I dread. It's something very close to my heart. I hope you guys understand and don't mind the wait. It turns out I'm not very good at multitasking and balancing things. But I'm gonna work on it.

That being said, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to hit that star and leave a comment.

Much love,
Becca