I can’t believe I’m standing here.
People brush by me from every direction, and I grab the handle of my suitcase with shaky hands. My eyes seek out the information I’m looking for and then it flashes on the screen.
United Airlines, Denver to Paris – 7:10 a.m. Gate B52.
I roll my luggage to the check-in line. As I wait, I close my eyes and think about the photo and letters in my carry-on.
Am I doing the right thing? I’m not sure, but as I get closer to the desk, all I can think about is the date on the bottom of the photo. It’s for two days from now.
“Miss?”
The brunette behind the counter is calling my name, and I blush as I step forward.
“Yes? I’m sorry,” I apologize, feeling slightly scattered.
“No problem. How can I help you?”
I look at the board again and can’t help the smile I give.
“I’d like a one-way ticket on the seven ten flight to Paris, please.”
“Sure thing. Can I please see your passport?”
I nod and take out the passport my mother made me get last year when she’d decided we should have a family vacation. I’ve still never used it.
The lady behind the desk swipes it, and as she starts to type in my information, she asks, “A one-way ticket, huh? Leaving it up to fate? I like that.”
I swallow, feeling nervous. “Yeah, something like that.”
She chuckles as she passes me back my documents.
“You’ll love it. It’s such a beautiful city and so romantic. Maybe you’ll have an epic love affair!”
I feel my heart skip at her words and wonder if I’ll get my happy ending.
After everything I’ve been through, it feels as if my dreams are right there…almost within my reach.
“Okay, the ticket is $789.00. How would you like to pay for that?”
Oh, I know exactly how I’d like to pay for that.
I open my wallet and pull out the cash my mother kept hidden in her drawer. Now she’ll really have something to miss, because I know for a fact she sure as hell won’t miss me.
“Cash, please.”
I give her the money, and several moments later, she hands me the ticket.
“Have a fantastic trip. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Thanks,” I say, and all I can think as I make my way to my gate is—so do I.
Epilogue
The Louvre—Paris, France…
Thirty-seven days.
That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen her.
I wait at the back of the loud exhibit hall and watch as people shuffle through to look at the sculpture in the center. All I can hear is the—tick, tick, tock—of the watch fastened around my wrist.
I glance down at it and see that it’s been nearly three hours.
Three hours since the front doors have opened, and three hours that I’ve been waiting.
I’ll wait all day and all night, if that’s what it takes.
Raising a hand, I push my fingers through my hair which is finally starting to grow out, and that’s when I see her.
She steps into the room I’m standing in, and all of the noise surrounding me disappears.
All I can see—is her.
She looks as perfect as the first day I ever saw her.
Her hair is curled in soft waves flowing down over her black coat, and she’s clutching what looks like a photograph—my photograph.
My instinct is to call out to her, but I wait.
I wait and watch as she looks around, her eyes moving over the people near her and when she stops, I know she’s seen it. Psyche and Cupid in their lover’s embrace.
She seems drawn to the marble couple in the center of the room, and I see her raise a hand to her chest and place it over her heart as she approaches.
I can hardly believe my own eyes—she’s here.
I step out from behind the sculpture and all I can manage is her name. “Addison.”
Her stunning blue eyes find me, and as she looks my way, all I can think is...
There she is, staring at me—my salvation, and my new beginning.