To Paris with Love part 5
A/N : Thanks for all the great reviews, hope everyone enjoys this chapter was one of my favourites to write so far.
To Paris with love
Part 5
On that summer night, Nate and Jenny spent hours on that bench, talking about anything from Paris and the galleries to things that happened back home. They kept it light, when an awkward topic came up, one of them would comment on the weather, or how beautiful the moon looked that night, knowing in the back of their minds things were still to fragile, and that they weren't ready to cross that invisible barrier.
'So I think the look on Keira's face was enough' reflected Jenny, her knees tucked up beneath her as she huddled in her jacket.
'Well apparently I'm desired arm candy for the mean girls of Constance or New York for that matter' countered Nate lounging on the green bench hands on his thighs, thoughts drifting that October night two years previously hearing her reply.
'Thank you for that saving me that night, even though in the scheme of things cotillion isn't such a big deal now, it still means a lot to me'
Turning to face her, he looked her deeply face to face.
‘Well you know it's what I do' he smiled, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
'You know I'll always be here for you' he almost whispered captivated by her bright blue eyes, the curve of her lips, and the tiny freckles on her nose.
With each millisecond he looked at her, the beating in his heart got louder, and the urge to kiss her grew stronger and stronger, if he kissed her now, he'd never be able to live without her, a addict to the taste of the lips of but one woman in the world.
He neared her lips, their noses brushing gently, his heart almost beating out of his chest, he was going to kiss her.
Until his heart was stilled by the touch of her fingers against the corner of his lip.
'You have some foam there' explained Jenny.
Causing her crestfallen knight to pull back, thus far unable to complete his quest, simply uttering the words 'thanks'.
Moving further back to his original position, he heard a stomach growl, wordlessly he shot up. His hand meeting Jenny's to pull her up to her feet.
'Come on I know a place' he offered with that grin that could make many a girl swoon.
*****
Arriving at their destination 10 minutes later, Jenny observed its occupants with amusement.
'Nate, I don't mean to crush your dream, but they look like their full' She voiced, following Nate through the entrance of the upscale restaurant.
'Trust me, I've been here before their crème brûlée is to die for, I'm sure they'll remember me' he replied making his way to the leggy matre'd.
'Bon Soir' she offered with a smile.
'Bon soir' Nate replied that smile back again.
'I'd like a table for two ci void plait' he continued.
'I'm sorry misour, we are full this evening'.
'Well if your sure' he replied, turning around to walk away, but deciding that maybe a chance in tactic was needed.
Glancing around took in the restaurant it was very full. He could feel Jenny's eyes on him from where she stood by the bar, she deserved the best, and he was going to get her the best.
'You know what I may have made a reservation already'
'Oh, name?' she asked the blushes gracing he cheeks.
'Archibald.. No wait van de bilt' he replied confidently, turning around to glance at Jenny with a smile, as the woman looked through the leader bound ledger.
'I’m afraid there isn't any booking under that name. But maybe I can get something.' the matre'd replied.
'You know I was here the other night, the crème brûlée was excellent' He tried looking the parisenne matre'd in her brown eyes.
'I must have been enjoying the food too much to notice you, otherwise I’m sure I would have remembered you' he added stealing lines of the Chuck Bass playbook.
'Oh merci' blushed the brunette as tried looking away.
'Well I'm sure I'll remember you now' he smiled a muscular man approached them.
'Is there a problem Corrine?' he asked in his cocky accent, taking in her apple cheeked face then Nate, his expression almost menacing.
'I’m sorry Sir' he said his voice heavy...taking the book from Corrine,’ there are no tables available' he added through gritted teeth.
'Oh is that right' replied Nate smiling once more at Corrine, seeing this the man started towards Nate.
'Sir flirting with my girlfriend is not going go help' his hands mere inches from Nate.
Nate closed his eyes awaiting bruising knuckles to his face; instead he felt tender touches on his shoulder, opening his eyes to find Jenny standing there next to him.
'You have to excuse my fiancé’ declared Jenny apologetically to the Matre'd and her fuming boyfriend but a of pride in her appearance.
'He really wanted me to show the crème brûlée ' she joked giggling and playfully tapping Nate on the shoulder, battering her eyelashes at the rapidly calming man as she did.
'He loves spoiling me' she said turning to face Nate, raising her eyebrows for him willing him to catch on and start acting.
Smiling sweetly at Jenny, he took the opportunity to slide his hand around her waist, their eyes locking, ignoring everything else in the room.
'We should go' offered Jenny.
Nodding silently Nate took her hand once more and they turned to leave.
'Hang on one second, I need to grab something' she told Nate once they were out of earshot.
Walking back into the restaurant she grabbing a takeout menu, she bumped into Corrine, making her dropping her purse.
Saying sorry Corrine bent down to pick up and dust off her bag before handing it to Jenny, whispering quietly into her ear she gestured at Nate, leaving Jenny to think about her words.
*****
Hours later, in a small cafe basked in the moonlight looking out on the Seine sat two. Laughing to their hearts content, repeated words about a plaid addiction. To a stranger, their relationship deep, a familiarity forged in the heart.
'I can't believe you did that!' Exclaimed a bemused looking Jenny picking up her fork to stab at the golden treat in front of her.
'Well hey it would have worked if her boyfriend was right there.' Replied Nate taking a sip from his giant latte and pondering the events of earlier in the night.
' I gotta say this place does have amazing deserts, it’s not crème brûlée but it'll do' Jenny laughed changing the subject.
'Their not Humphrey waffles, but I'm glad they do' replied Nate in mock anger.
'Hey someone told me that waffles are a food group' He continued.
'Oh Nate you've been hanging out with Dan too long, waffles, plaid shirts, next you'll be at the Ritz asking for Dad’s chili’ She smirked pointing at the checked garment he wore this evening
‘I like your Dad’s chili it has a distinct taste’ Retorted Nate, truth is the Chili was the only available food when he once turned up at the Van Der Humphrey’s with a case of the munchies.
‘You’ve so been Humphrey'd’ Responded Jenny with glee.
He had been 'Humphrey'd' and it was all because of her.
'So are you gonna let me have some?' complained Nate watching the golden syrup pour over the hot breakfast food.
'Uh no!' she replied smugly placing a piece on her fork waving it front of Nate, before placing a piece of waffle into her mouth, exaggerating how good it tasted.
'mmmm mmmmm'
Causing Nate to blink repeatedly failing to form coherent thoughts.
*****
'So you know classes are getting harder, but it'll be worth it in the end' explained Nate as they walked down the cobbled streets nearing his hotel.
'Wow Nate Archibald. Nerd’ pronounced Jenny.
'Funny.'
'It's pretty late, your mom's probably wondering were you are right?' asked Nate concerned.
Sighing slightly ' she's probably not home anyway between the gallery and Jean she's rarely home' Jenny concluded as they strolled forward.
Sensing he unease he spoke 'Well if you your company your welcome to stay at mine'
Shaking her head, she looked down the street sticking her right hand out to hail a taxi.
A lingering thought arrived in his head, eventually he'd to go back home, he'd be in New York she’d be somewhere else, and he couldn't be with her, and that scared him. Each moment with her was precious, so perfect there wasn't a moment he didn't want to spend with her, he quickly arrived at his answer.
'You know I think I'd feel better if I made sure got home safe'
*****
Reaching her apartment building, they both got out to walk under the canopy.
'This is me' she smiled pointing at the brownstone, waving to a man indoors, who Nate remembered as the scooter rider from that morning.
'I had fun today' she said as she went in to hug Nate.
'Me too, I should let you get to bed' he spoke to her gently enveloping her in his arms.
Her hands moved down to his arms in an attempt to part, but their eyes met for the millionth time that day, and neither could move.
With Nate’s one hand cupping her face, and the other playing with her honey blonde hair, Jenny could feel a tingling sensation wherever his fingers met her skin.
She could hear her heart rate quickening under his touch, her body warming, a familiar but almost forgotten sensation overwhelming her being. Corrine's words replaying in her head, 'that look in his eyes, its true love'.
Without thinking another second, she pressed a feather light kiss on his lips, lasting for a few seconds before pulling away just as quickly as it started before he could respond.
'Goodnight’ She said calmly entering the apartment building leaving behind a frozen Nate.
Climbing the flights of stairs she reached her door, opening her handbag to grab her keys.
Resting her back against the red door, replaying the day’s events, her face breaking out in an amazingly bright smile. There was always a small part of her heart that belonged to that boy from St Jude’s, but she knew she was falling for him, more than she had before.
Slotting the keys into the locked door, she was glad her mother was not home, She didn't have to deal with Jean tonight, she couldn’t let it ruin her mood tonight.
The door swung open, and still beaming she walked into the living room setting her bag down on the purple sofa.
'Jenny!' came a female voice.
Recognizing the voice she turned around shocked.
'Vanessa?'
*****
She kissed me thought Nate, standing in the same spot for about a few seconds still processing.
'She kissed me' he said to himself a few times before it registered and when it did he felt like shouting it from the rooftops.
Jumping back into the awaiting cab with newfound excitement, he sat back against the seat, drunk with the memory playing over and over again in his head.
The humming of his phone snapped him out of it. Not bothering to check his caller display he answered.
'Hello’ he answered in a buzzed state.
'Nathaniel.’ Came the proud voice.
'Grandfather’ Nate replied suddenly feeling very sober.
‘It’s time you came home’.