more than to say yes, but I had to make sure that he knew where I planned to go.
“I’m going to Shanghai to train to be a matchmaker.”
Marc pulled back. “This is a recent development.”
“Yes. I figured out what I want to do with my life.” I told him about Aunt Evelyn’s theories, and the resulting changes. Marc, to his credit, listened and didn’t interrupt.
After I finished, he asked, “So you’re set to leave for Shanghai after Paris?”
“Yes, with a brief stop in Palo Alto to talk to my parents and the rest of the family.” I bit my lower lip.
“I guess I’ll need to brush up on my Mandarin then.”
“Wait, you want to come with me?”
“I was thinking of leaving Paris, but I didn’t know where to go. Now I do.”
I sobbed. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I covered my face. He wanted me. He would move thousands of miles to follow me—to be with me. The years of rejection had built a reservoir of deep despair, which, now crumbling, poured from me in heavy tears.
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” He knelt beside me. “If you don’t want me to come along, I can—”
“I love you, Marc.” I wiped away the last of my tears.
“I love you too.”
I grabbed his gorgeous face with both hands and kissed him. He tasted like sugar and coffee. The warmth of his lips and the heat of his kisses sent shivers down my spine. His strong arms lifted me from my seat as his fingertips danced across the exposed skin of my back. I pressed my hands against the front of his jacket, feeling the strength of his solid chest underneath.
We moved together, re-created The Kiss in the flesh. Nothing else in the world mattered more.
* * *
* * *
After the kisses, I apologized to Aunt Evelyn and Girard for the delay in their meal, and Marc joined us for the rest of dinner. He took his place beside me and held my hand on the table.
“I take it you’ll be going with her to Shanghai?” Girard asked him.
“Yes, I think I can find work there.”
“You have my reference and I can provide you with the names of some of the restaurateurs I know. I have no doubt you’ll have interviews after you land.” Girard’s expression softened. “I didn’t make it easy on you after I found out Evelyn was moving back to Paris. I acted inappropriately and placed undue pressure on you and the staff. I’m sorry. You will all receive an added bonus with your paycheck. It’s the least I can do.”
“Apology accepted. No one takes heartbreak well. I know I don’t, and luckily, this time I don’t have to.” Marc squeezed my hand under the table.
“My niece chose well,” Aunt Evelyn said. She had a playful smile and gleam in her eye. “You’re as handsome as Vanessa described.”
I giggled when I saw him blush.
“If you’re also accompanying her to Palo Alto,” she continued, “you need to be prepared. The family is quite challenging. You’ll need to be coached. Vanessa’s parents are wonderful, but her aunties are the ones you need to watch out for.”
“Auntie Evelyn!” I protested.
She shushed me and leaned closer to Marc. “They are sweet on the outside, but inside they are like a Molotov cocktail. The moment your plane ticket is printed, they’ve already done a background check, so don’t even think about glossing over any details. Being truthful and vocal about your commitment to Vanessa will be your saving grace. If you play your cards right, you might even be treated to the first taste of Gloria’s famous rice-stuffed chicken.”
Marc and Girard listened in as my aunt pointed out the obvious landmines in etiquette and conversation. I couldn’t tell if the two men were horrified, fascinated, or a mixture of both. My aunt spared no details and, as much as I wanted to interrupt or protest, she told no lies.
“Are they expecting a marriage proposal?” Marc asked.
“Vanessa has never gone on a second date before you. Of course they are. No matter what you do, just tell them, firmly, that it’s between you and her.”
“I mean, I’m not ruling it out in the future, but we need more time.” He turned to me and grinned. “It’ll be nice to spend more time together.”
I poked his shoulder. “In Shanghai, if you survive my family.”
A red thread appeared, winding its way from his heart to mine. It glowed and shimmered, matching the brightness of the one