One Winter Weekend

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

H er stay rolled by so quickly, too quickly. Emily could hardly keep it all straight.

They’d spent a lot of time together at Patrick’s place, watching movies and just enjoying getting to know one another again.

He’d made her entire trip to Paris a dream, but as the time came closer to ending, Emily began to dread the inevitable moment when they’d have to say goodbye.

He had done his best in the meantime to convince her that things could work, if only she’d give them a chance.

His persuasions were convincing, but not enough to surmount Emily’s fears. What if they pursued a relationship and it ended, like all of her relationships before?

What if this entire thing was just the effects of the most romantic city in the world? Or worse, the lingering memories of a past they hadn’t fully let go of?

“Stop thinking so much,” Patrick demanded, tugging on her hand as they left her hotel. I’m not going to let you mope for your last day in Paris.”

She looked at him sadly. Their last day together. It all kept coming back to the one fact. “Where’re we off to now?” she asked, dismissing her own melancholy.

“Somewhere suitably Christmassy.”

Paris truly did look incredible at Christmastime.

The Champs-élysée had been transformed for the season, and from the Grand Palais to the Concorde Palace the avenue was lit from top to bottom, each of the two hundred trees that lined the road bedecked in twinkling fairly lights, creating a wonderland.

“They outdo themselves every year,” Patrick commented, looking down the avenue to where the Christmas markets were set up.

Emily felt like a child again, as she walked beneath the lights alongside Parisians hooked arm-in-arm, some kissing affectionately, others admiring the Christmas fair.

There were stalls in abundance, each offering their own take on festive specialities, from handmade crafts, to freshly made crêpes and sweets.

“Can we go there?” Emily asked, turning her gaze to the Ferris wheel that marked the end of the Concorde Palace.

“If you want,” Patrick replied. “It’s the biggest in the world, outdoes your London one even.”

“Really? Actually, it does look bigger than the London Eye, even at this distance,” she replied.

“You always did like going on those things,” he commented.

“What can I say, I like looking at the world from a different perspective sometimes.”

“That’s good then, because I’m hoping you might change your view on a couple of things,” he prodded gently.

“Stop it,” she replied, giving him a playful shove.

“I’m not giving up. Not until you walk away.”

“Can’t we just enjoy now? It’s my last day after all.”

“That’s why I’m trying so hard,” he replied. “Because I don’t want this to be our last day.”