16 | Paris

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

━━━─── • ───━━━

Luna •

Luna stood back in the ballroom of an eighteenth-century hotel, watching Chase and their dance instructor show him how to use his feet while dancing with a partner. Sarah sat in a chair next to a long table with large speakers and a laptop facing them.

"Now, we can add the bride," the instructor said, shifting her eyes to Luna.

She knew how to dance, but Chase insisted on having lessons before the wedding.

"Once the music begins, you'll lift both of your arms and reach for his. He will have them extended for you."

"Okay."

"This isn't so bad," Chase said, grinning. "I think we're getting the hang of it."

"Yeah," Luna replied, exhaling a deep breath.

"Remember, you can hold your partner's hand as high as you want, but stay within eye level and don't raise the shoulder too high," the instructor told them. She then pressed a button on the remote, starting a soft jazz tune. "Once you get comfortable in each other's embrace, it'll be time to work on your footwork."

Luna stopped swaying and cleared her throat. "Lacey?"

"Yes?"

"Does it matter what type of shoes I'll be wearing? I might change them and wear flats."

"It will depend on how you dance. It's all about the movement and staying intact with your dance partner. Even if he is the leader, you don't want to mess up a simple dance routine in the middle of the dance floor."

"No, we don't," Chase said, staring at Luna.

"This next step is great for beginners. It works well with most slow songs. Chase is going to start with his left foot and take a step to the side. Good. Good. Let's count. One. Two. Three. Four. And for Luna," she continued, guiding her. "When he moves to his left, you will move to your right."

Luna's neck was arched up as she kept her eyes on Chase's.

"Let's count. One. Two. Three. Four. Good. One. Two. Three. Four . . ." she trailed off, staying next to them. "Once you have mastered the basic steps, Chase could surprise Luna with a fun little turn."

Both the instructor and Luna snickered when she ended up stepping on Chase's foot, slamming forcibly on his toe.

"Sorry," Luna hissed. "My heels slipped."

"I'm okay," he said, groaning.

"The leader's footwork is basically the same as before, only this time you'll be indicating a turn while doing the basic steps," Lacey said, eying Luna. "Are you okay, Luna?"

"My shoulder has been hurting. I was taking photographs earlier."

"I told her to take it easy this morning, but my future wife does what she wants," Chase remarked.

"I wanted to finish shooting some pictures for my website. My clients enjoy my scenery shots, and the field behind our house had every flower blooming."

"I get that, but I texted you thirty minutes before coming home that I wanted to take you somewhere nice," he argued.

Lacey stepped away and sat down beside Sarah as she colored in her coloring book.

"When you told me to dress nicely, I didn't know you were taking me here. I thought it was for something fancy and you wanted us to hang out with your friends. I wasn't prepared for dance lessons."

"I wasn't thinking. Lacey had a last-minute cancellation, and I figured you'd be happy because we can't ever get our dance movements in sync."

"We danced well together once, and that was at your sister's wedding, Chase."

"I want to have a daddy-daughter dance. We can work the crowd," Sarah said, smiling at everyone in the room.

"Guys," Lacey chimed in before Chase or Luna could reply to Sarah. "Are you two still thinking about having the wedding on Memorial Day?"

"We just started talking about it. We haven't set any plans," Chase answered, pressing his lips into a thin line.

"If you decide to do it on that day, then we must work quickly to arrange further lessons. You look great together, but lessons can come in handy," Lacey explained.

"She has a point, Lu. I'm sorry for springing this on you."

"Are you talking about the lessons or the wedding to be held on Memorial Day? That's in three weeks."

"Both, actually," Chase replied, cupping her chin. "Sometimes I can be an insensitive prick. I hope you'll reconsider having our wedding then, even if our initial plan was in the fall."

"I won't book anyone for these hours," said Lacey. "They will be scheduled solely for you two."

"Thank you," Luna and Chase said in unison.

"I have to make a quick phone call, so I'll be right back," Lacey said, stepping into another room.

"Luna . . ." Chase started, but Luna stopped him.

"Hold that thought. I'm going to get some water and be right back."

"Don't take too long," he said, hugging her waist.

After taking a few sips of water in the kitchen, Luna's shoulders stung a little. Her legs kept pushing her to rest and settle somewhere warm, and her brain had felt like it had been on a treadmill and wouldn't stop. Planning the wedding was becoming overwhelming, and she needed a break.

Padding quickly toward the window, she closed her eyes and sighed. Then, her eyes shot up as she stared at Amir as he sat in a chair in a hotel room.

The beige walls had huge windows with gray shades covering the front, and a king-sized bed was placed next to them. Gray flush pillows lay comfortably on a large white blanket, and the door leading to a small balcony was cracked. She didn't pay much attention to the outside, but she could tell it was getting dark in the distance.

"Good afternoon," Amir said, wearing a black tee-shirt and black pants.

"Why do I keep finding myself transitioning to wherever you are?"

"I'm thinking deep inside that beautiful head of yours, I was on your mind, Ms. Carlyle."

Luna scoffed. "Some ego you have."

"I'm kidding, Ms. Carlyle."

"What else is new?" she asked, chuckling. "So, where are you?"

"Well, I was asked to consult on a genetics case. I'm in —"

His sentence was interrupted when a knock came from the other side of the door.

"Bonjour, Monsieur. Entretien ménager," a masculine voice said, speaking French. "Do you need anything, Sir? Towels? Linens? Toiletries?"

Luna's eyebrows furrowed as Amir walked to the door and opened it. "I'm good. Thank you."

"Enjoy your evening, sir."

Amir closed the door.

"That man was speaking French. Are you in France?"

"That's what I was trying to tell you," he said, a dark strand falling lightly over his eyebrow.

Luna gaped as she turned around and strolled close to the window. She stared wondrously at the most beautiful structure she'd ever seen. The Eiffel Tower.

"You're in Paris, France," Luna uttered. "How long have you been here?"

"Since this morning. I'd slept for nearly nine hours and woke before we connected."

"I can tell," she said, glancing behind her shoulder.

"I'm sure I don't look like my usual self."

"No, Amir . . ." Luna said, facing him. "I wasn't meaning anything by it. I'm always used to seeing you with a business suit on, or in scrubs and a lab coat. I'm sure you have evening prayers to attend to."

"I've already prayed. I was finishing going over the doctor's notes for the case I'm assisting with tomorrow."

"Oh, I intruded. Well, I'll leave and we'll connect later."

As Luna stepped away and bounded toward the door, Amir took her wrist. "Please stay for a few minutes. We haven't seen each other much lately, Ms. Carlyle."

"But your work?"

"It can wait."

"All right. But only a few minutes," she replied as they stood next to a white refrigerator. "I don't have long."

Amir nodded and glanced around, a crease forming over his eyebrow.

"This isn't your . . . kitchen."

"Please, don't laugh. This is purely coincidental," Luna said, shaking her head. "I'm in what's known as . . . The Paris Room."

"You've gotta be kidding me. We're both in Paris?" Amir joked, gazing around at the shiny hardwood floors, white crown molding along the walls, and an array of ornate gold architectural ornaments. "It's very . . . eighteenth century."

"This is the wedding venue for us. It's expensive, but our friend is the manager and can cut us a deal."

"I'd take it if I were you guys. The outdoor balcony is cozy and spacious," he said, gazing outside. "I love how it's outlined with a black wrought-iron railing to give it a French Quarter appeal."

"Thank you. I would show you around, but Chase and Sarah are waiting for me in the ballroom."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Luna. I pulled you back from leaving and your family is in the other room."

"You don't have to apologize. I do need to get back out there, though."

"Right . . ." Amir trailed, taking a deep breath as they appeared back into his hotel room. "I figured out what I can give to you for a wedding gift."

"A wedding gift?"

Amir nodded. "Yeah. Something like that."

"What could that be?"

"We're . . . standing in it."

"A hotel room?"

He shook his head. "No. Paris. I was talking about Paris."

"You want to fly me to Paris . . ."

"Not exactly. I'll do the flying, and you do the enjoying."

"You've lost me, Amir."

Taking a step outside on the small balcony, they watched as the sunset radiated across the sky, turning puffy clouds from a molten orange color to bands of purple and pink. The Eiffel Tower looked like a large giant in the center of the city, so tall and majestic.

"I want to travel to all the places you want to see and haven't, and you can connect to me. You can see them, too."

"I don't think you should do that."

"I know it's not the same as actually visiting the countries, but at least you can set your eyes upon them."

"That's a lot of traveling. You'd be tired."

"Nah, I'll be fine. I want you to . . . you know . . . see the places you've only dreamed of. It's the best way I can give you a gift," Amir said, shifting his eyes around Paris.

Luna tilted her neck and shook her head. "I love this sweet gesture, but it would be too much."

"I'm okay with spending money on traveling."

"It's not just the money, Amir. What if I wanted to travel around the world with my husband?"

"Oh. Right. I had this notion to travel and let you see the places you've always wanted to see."

"Thanks for considering it," she said, giving him a soft smile.

"Have you . . . Have you spoken to him about your ability, yet?"

She shook her head. "Every time I get a chance, something comes up. But I am planning to sit him down tomorrow and talk about it. I need to be honest about everything. It's the right thing to do."

"Luna?" Chase's voice boomed from behind her, startling her.

Her heart pounded rapidly in its chambers. She had to figure out how she was going to hide her talking in the air. Chase can't see her speaking, with no one around her.

Turning back to where Amir was standing, he'd already gone.

Walking toward Chase, Luna plastered on a jolly smile, praying he won't ask any questions. "Hey . . ."

"Is everything okay?"

She nodded. "I came outside for some fresh air."

"Oh," Chase said, his blond hair dripping with water. She figured he probably went to the men's restroom and fixed his hair. "Are you ready to continue dancing? Lacey has ten minutes left and then another client will be coming in."

"Yeah," she murmured as he stepped to the side, allowing her to walk through. "Maybe we could grab something to eat afterward. Sarah mentioned she was hungry for pizza."

"Sure," he said, staying beside the door.

"Aren't you coming, baby? I need my dance partner, you know."

Luna was trying to play it off, but she could tell Chase was onto her. If he had noticed Amir, then he'd expose himself as a tethered soul and all her efforts to keep quiet about who she was would be for nothing. She knew now she needed to stay as careful as she can until she was ready to open up with him. She couldn't keep her identity a secret forever, but she wasn't prepared to say anything now. In the back of her mind, she had planned to explain to him what she can do and hoped he'd believe her.

Chase took a step forward and laid a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm ready to enjoy the rest of this day with Sarah and my beautiful bride."

━━━─── • ───━━━

I'm not advertising anything, but there is a literal place called, The Paris Room, in New Orleans, Louisiana. #tetheredinspiration 📷


You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net