Tied Together (The Cade Siblings Duology #1)

20. Alana

CHAPTER 20

Alana

We’re standing in front of the Eiffel Tower and I’m trying to be in the moment, but my brain keeps snagging on the things Alex has been saying and doing within the last twenty-four hours. Maybe it’s the love in the air that’s causing me to read into his actions, but it suddenly feels like we are a lot closer than we were when we got on the plane this morning. Our friendship has always been easy and casual, but the innocent touches and small comments are confusing me.

It could be because I forced him to spoon me… ugh I don’t think I will ever get over the embarrassment I feel regarding that, and I’ve been so thankful Alex hasn’t brought it up, but he keeps doing things that has my heart forgetting that my brain has decided we are swearing off all men.

Waking me from my nap so I don’t miss this.

Thinking about my hands and feet being cold and bringing warmers.

Kneeling in front of me and slipping said warmers into my boots…won’t be forgetting that one for a while.

Planning out our evening so I don’t have to do any planning.

Typically I’m the one making plans for our group and figuring out the logistics. I like knowing where we will be when and making sure everything is planned out well. I didn’t anticipate, however, how good it would feel to let someone else make the plans for once.

Maybe it’s because I’m starting to trust Alex, or maybe it’s the jet lag and the weird seven hour nap I just woke up from, but I am along for the ride and happy to let him pull me around to wherever he sees fit for tonight.

There aren’t many people on the grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars, tonight. It makes sense because it’s absolutely freezing and literally snowing, but I wanted to watch it sparkle from here, so here we are. I sit down on a bench and Alex walks up to a street vendor to get us hot chocolate. I pull out my phone and see more than five missed texts in my group chat with Charlie and Cami. Things have been so busy I haven’t stopped to check my phone.

I snap a picture of my view and send it. It’s a picture of the Champ de Mars, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Me

You two will be so jealous.

Best Brother in the World

First of all, the fact that this is the first update and it's been multiple hours is ridiculous.

Best Brother in the World

Second of all, you’re right. I am so jealous.

Bestie Friend

Lana I thought I gave you the mom speech before you left. You cannot go hours without updating us. We haven’t heard from you since you told us you were taking off. How did the flying go?

Cami’s next message comes in, and it’s a photo of her sitting at my desk. It’s taken with the back camera on .5 width and she’s sticking her tongue out. She’s wearing my sweater, which I have no idea how she got because I could have sworn I left it at Charlie’s, and she’s got her arms spread like she owns the place. A bit of longing tugs in my chest.

Bestie Friend

Also, I’m not jealous, you are.

Me

Aww, I miss you two.

Me

The plane ride was better than expected. I did have a panic attack during some pretty bad turbulence and I might have asked Alex to hold me. But now we’re here in Paris and everything is great.

Best Brother in the World

I knew I was going to have to get on a plane to come punch that guy.

Bestie Friend

EXCUSE ME?

I groan. I knew I shouldn’t have told them about this. They are going to blow it way out of proportion and the only thing a relationship with Alex is going to lead to is further disappointment and hurt feelings. I really can’t afford for anyone to encourage the side of me that is deciding to look at him as anything but a coworker and friend. I’m having a hard enough time reminding myself that this isn’t going anywhere and I really don’t want to have to remind anyone else.

Me

It was nothing. Please don’t make a big deal out of it.

Bestie Friend

Nothing?

Me

Drop it or I’m disappearing again.

Bestie Friend

Ugh. Fine, whatever. Okay so you’re at your dream spot, isn’t it a little cold to be sitting outside?

Best Brother in the World

Wait, I don’t want to drop it.

Me

It’s pretty cold, but I’m all bundled up. Alex just brought me a hot chocolate so that’s helping.

Bestie Friend

Alex brought you a hot chocolate…

Me

You are so annoying.

Best Brother in the World

Everyone always ignores me.

I lock my phone and slip it into my coat pocket. The hot chocolate is warm on my tongue and Alex’s body heat next to me makes it feel at least ten degrees warmer than it is. My nose is freezing, though and has to be red. I lift one of my hands up to my face and press it against my nose.

“I know I look like Rudolph,” I tell him, and he chuckles.

“A cute Rudolph.”

If it’s possible, the red on my cheeks and nose definitely deepen at that comment. We both go quiet and I search for something to change the subject.

“How did you like your book?” I ask.

“The twist was crazy. She killed the therapist and I had no idea. Never saw it coming.”

“Right? I was so shocked,” I reply, excited to talk about this book with him.

“It was pretty shocking. A great recommendation.” He hesitates, as though he isn’t quite sure what he wants to say next. I wait and give him space to decide, and eventually he speaks again. “I won our bet,” he says.

“You sure did,” I reply, unsure where he’s going with this.

“What do I get?”

“What do you mean?”

“I won. What do I get if I win?” he asks.

Oh. Why does that sound suggestive? “You win…a high five?” I say it like it’s a question.

“A high five?”

“That will have to do for now.”

“Alright, Lanie, that will do,” he says, and he winks at me. He winks.

The sun is almost fully set and I know the lights have to come on any second now. We both go silent and turn forward. Sure enough, a few minutes later the Eiffel Tower starts to sparkle in the most magnificent way. The lights are a golden yellow and it feels almost like a dream sitting here.

We both sit and stare in awestruck silence. I can’t see my face right now, but if I could I know it would reflect the absolute happiness I’m feeling. After watching it for a while, Alex turns to me.

“Come on, let’s get you warmed up. I looked up some places to grab food and found one that looks good.”

He grabs my hand and threads it through the crook of his elbow. I follow willingly, happy to take some of his body heat.

We walk away from the Eiffel Tower and he leads me down a few streets and a handful of blocks away to a small restaurant that looks cozy. Snow weighs down the red awning that sits over the door and the candles inside on the tables create a warm glow.

Alex opens the door for me and I step inside, immediately hit by the warmth of the restaurant.

“Bonsoir, my name is Alex Ashford. I called ahead.”

“Ah, oui. Right this way, Mr. Ashford, to the table you requested.”

Called ahead? The table he requested? He’s speaking French?

I am so done for.

We follow the man just a few steps to our table that sits nestled in the corner and up against the window. I sit down first and notice how I can see all of the people walking by. This street is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Pine garland is draped along the tops of the buildings and there are large velvet red ribbons tied to the lamp posts. It looks like a scene from a Hallmark movie.

I realize that while I’ve been looking out the window, Alex is still standing next to our table.

“Are you going to sit down?” I ask.

“Actually, why don’t you sit on this side?”

“Oh I really don’t mind which side I sit on. I’m good either way.”

He continues to stand, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

“What? Are you one of those people who needs to be facing the entrance at all times? Because if you are, that’s totally fine. Charlie is that way and it’s like a protective instinct or whatever.”

“No. I mean, yes I prefer to see the door, but that’s not why I asked.”

“Oh…okay then.”

“Just switch with me, Lanie.”

“Alright, fine.”

I stand up and slip out of the chair, moving to the other side. He slides the chair out for me and tucks it back under with me in it. I situate my napkin back in my lap and look up.

Wow .

I realize the reason why he offered me this seat. Outside the window, far off in the distance, I can see a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the night sky. He chose this restaurant, asked for this table, and had me sit in this seat, so I could see the Eiffel Tower while we ate.

“Alex…this is…” I trail off, not having words.

“I just thought you’d enjoy the view. I know how much you were looking forward to seeing it and it’s so cold out so you can’t really sit out for long and look.”

“It’s perfect,” I say, reaching over and placing my hand over his, giving it a squeeze. “Really, thank you.”