When the Heart Falls(124)

"Did you stop?"

"Of course." I feign shock at his question. "I picked out my own clothes the next day."

"And?" His lips twitch in a grin, and my heart skips a beat.

"Let's just say I was transferred out of history."

Cade laughs, and I start laughing, drawing attention to us both.

Vincent interrupts us with apologies and a bottle of champagne. "You having a good time?"

"Yes, we are." I move my empty plate out of the way. "Thank you."

"Great. I have a gift for you." He hands me the chilled bottle.

"Thank you, but… why?"

"It is American holiday, no?"

"Yes, that's very thoughtful of you." I place the bottle on the table between Cade and me.

"It is my pleasure. Enjoy, Mademoiselle. Enjoy, Monsieur." Vincent hands Cade the check and leaves.

When I turn back to Cade, his smile has turned to a frown and he's watching Vincent as he makes the rounds.

"You want to get out of here?" Cade leaves cash on the check and stands to go.

"Um, sure." I worry that we'll offend Vincent by leaving the champagne unopened, but since I don't drink, I'm not sure what else to do with it. I stand and grab my coat and bag. "Where do you want to go?"

"I have an idea. Come on."

"Wait," I say. Cade's hat is on the table, and I pick it up and put it on my head. "How do I look? Like a cowgirl?"

"Yes, just like. May I have it back now? Please?"

I take it off and give it back to him, my mood dropping with his. "Sure. Sorry."

He dusts off the hat and puts it on. "It's okay. I'm just not used to other people wearing it."

I can tell the hat has sentimental value for him, but I think I've sniffed out enough of his secrets today, so I don't press the issue. Instead, I link my arm with his and smile. "Where are we going?"

"You'll find out." He smiles a devilish grin. "If you don't mind escorting me outside?"





WINTER DEVEAUX

CHAPTER 13





CADE'S BODY WARMS me as we walk across a bridge over the Seine River. The sun is setting, filling the rain dampened city with warm tones of gold, red and yellow and reflecting off the water. I shiver at the drop in temperature, and Cade pulls his arm out of mine and settles it over my shoulder.

I've never walked with a man like this, like a couple, even though we aren't technically a couple, and I memorize how it feels, the butterflies in my stomach and the heat from his body, the way a new hunger burns in my belly.

We stop and lean over the fence, admiring the river and watching the boats full of couples as they glide along the water.

Hundreds of locks are latched onto the fence, each with initials or names written on them. I hold one in my hand, studying it. "What do you think this is about?"

Cade shrugs. "No idea."

An elderly couple passes us and stops a few feet away, lock in hand. Their white heads come together like clouds as they kiss and then click the lock onto the fence. The woman holds the key in her hand, then throws it over the side.

Curiosity compels me forward, Cade at my back. "Excuse me. Do you speak English?" I could have the conversation in French, but I don't want to leave Cade out.

They turn to us, their arms wrapped around each other, matching gold rings on their fingers. "We do," the woman says with a strong French accent.

I smile. "I'm Winter, and this is Cade. We were just wondering what these locks are."

The old woman's pale blue eyes light up. "This is Lover's Bridge. Couples put locks with their initials here and throw the key into the Seine to symbolize their eternal love. It is said, if you kiss on Lover's Bridge, you will be happy together forever." She looks up at her husband, who kisses her forehead. "It's our 60th anniversary, so we are celebrating."

I look at the thousands of locks on the fence and think of all the love stories they represent. I slide my finger across one, wishing I could tap into those stories with just a touch. "Sixty years is a long time. Congratulations. How do you stay together that long and stay so in love?"

Cade squeezes my shoulders, and I know he's thinking of his parents.

The husband wraps his arms around his wife and says, "The key is to marry your best friend."

The wife pats her husband's hands. "That, and always assume the best motivation from your partner. It's easy to think the worst when you're angry or hurt or scared, but if you choose to believe the best in what they say and do, you will be much happier."

The couple walks off, hand in hand, and we're quiet as we make our way across the rest of the bridge, each lost in our own thoughts. I wonder if I will ever find anyone that will still love me in sixty years when my hair turns white and my skin wrinkles. Does true love really exist outside of movies and romance novels? It would seem so, if that couple is any indication.

The lights in the sky turn darker, reds burning into purples as we approach a familiar landmark. Excitement bubbles up in me like champagne. "The Eiffel Tower? Is that where we're going?"

Cade chuckles. "Dag nab it. Is it that obvious?"

I wave my hand in front of me. "Well, it's kind of right there in the open, so yeah."