I am. But don’t worry. I speak English just fine.”
“Of course, you do,” I say hastily before Dad can embarrass himself any further. I catch sight of a group of girls who have stopped a little way down the street and turned to watch us. No – not us; they’re watching him. Openly staring and admiring him.
Which isn’t really something I can blame them for, because I’m more or less doing the same.
“Well,” the stranger says. “How about it? Tell me where you are going, and I can guide you there.”
I look up at him, and I know I can’t wait for Dad to answer. What if he says something awful? What if he says no? We need the help, and besides, I will take any help this man offers me. I would probably agree that the sky was green and the sea was burning red-hot right now if it would make him linger one more moment with us.
“Yes,” I say, quickly and with enthusiasm. “Yes, thank you – that would be amazing.”
Chapter Three
Nico
I can’t help but grin at how eagerly she accepts my offer. I guess they must have been really lost, and probably for quite some time as well.
“What’s the name of the place?” I ask.
“It’s a café,” she says, showing me the back of the map where she has written down the name. I guess she doesn’t want to risk pronouncing it wrong like her father did. “I heard some recommendations about it online.”
“Ah, yes,” I smile, nodding as I recognize it. “Saint Sebastian de la Thé. I know it well. Come, it’s this way.”
“Oh, we don’t want to put you out,” her father says, irritating me to no end. These Americans – I thought they were supposed to be rude and entitled? They aren’t supposed to try to refuse my help. “You can just tell us where it is.”
“I’m headed in that direction anyway,” I reassure him, flashing him an easy smile – and making sure that the tail end of it drops on her. After all, I want to charm her, even if it is pointless. Something in me is reacting to her in ways that I can’t explain. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about someone, an urgent need to stay in their presence, in her presence, no matter what it takes.
I lead them through the streets, heading down away from the water. I slow my pace deliberately so that she can keep up and walk by my side. Her father seems to be lagging behind, which is just the way I wanted it.
“So, you are having lunch, I guess?” I say, checking my watch. It’s a little later in the afternoon, but then I suppose they may have been wandering around for a while.
“No, actually, we already ate early,” she says. Even her voice is like music to my ears. What is this woman, some kind of siren? “We just wanted to get a coffee. We only flew in yesterday, so we’re a little tired still.”
“Ah. So, you’re here on vacation?” I ask, even though that much is already obvious. I just don’t want it to be true.
“Yes,” she replies, then exclaims. “Is that it?”
“That’s it,” I say, gesturing to the café. “Well, how about I get a coffee with you? I can show you a few things on the map. This is my favorite café, as it happens.” I glance back at her father as if he has a say in the matter. Truthfully, he doesn’t. So long as she agrees, I don’t mind.
“Oh, if you would, that would be so helpful,” she says, her huge eyes shining up at me. Wow. I think I may be in trouble. If she looks at me like that, I’ll give her the shirt off my back, the watch off my wrist, and the wallet out of my pocket.
“Great,” I say, leaving her father in our wake as I usher her along in front of me to head into the café.
It’s not just to make sure that I can get her inside without her father objecting. It’s also because this way, I can watch her walk in. And I really, really enjoy the view.
We slip inside and get in line, and then I stand between her and her father as we wait to be served. I noticed that she’s hesitating as she looks up at the menu board most of it is written in both French and English, though I wonder if she’s