‘Love At First Baguette: Episode 6’ by Amanda Bouchet

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Maxime kissed me. We were at the top of the steps at the metro station after our nice dinner date at Chez Phillippe. He leaned in slowly, a slight smile on his lips.

This should have been what I wanted, but my stomach churned, and my breath felt short. Adrien telling me that I looked beautiful tonight blared in my brain like a siren.

Maximeโ€™s mouth lightly touched mine, and I leaned away. He hadnโ€™t even gotten to pressing into the kiss or wrapping his arm around my waist, although I sensed that he was about to.

Frowning, he drew back, saying my name in the way most French people did. Sometimes, I was tempted to just introduce myself as Eddar rather than Heather. Embrace the French boycott of the letterย Hย and all the sounds it can make rather than fight a losing battle anymore.

โ€œJe suis dรฉsolรฉe.โ€ย Biting my lip, I looked up at Maxime. And I was sorry. He was pretty darn great.

โ€œTrop tรดt?โ€ he asked.

He wanted to know if it was too soon for a kiss. Unfortunately, that wasnโ€™t the problem. A tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed artist who moonlighted as a bartender was the problem. A big, solid problem with strong sculptorโ€™s hands andโ€ฆsmolder.

I was still burning up from the way Adrien had looked at me tonight just before Iโ€™d left the restaurant.

But Maxime had a ton of potential. Part of me was tempted to hedge my bets. It was only human to think about keeping a great guy like Maxime around in case I was totally wrong about Adrien. But that was unfair and kind of awful. I would hate for someone to do that to me.

I shook my head. โ€œNo, itโ€™s not too soon. And youโ€™re great. I had a really nice time tonight,โ€ I said in French. โ€œItโ€™s just…thereโ€™s someone I have feelings for, and even though weโ€™re not together, I feel weird kissing someone else.โ€

A number of different emotions flashed across his expression. Surprise, disappointment, and something a little harder. Not anger, exactly, but definitely annoyance.

โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ I said again. He had every right to be annoyed.

โ€œWhy arenโ€™t you together?โ€ he asked, swiping his longish, golden-brown hair back from his forehead.

โ€œIโ€™m not sure heโ€™s interested.โ€

Maxime arched his brows. โ€œThen I doubt his intelligence.โ€

I blushed and smiled. Was I really going to let go of this man on a what-if?

At the same time, weโ€™d only met a few hours ago and been on just one date. I felt as if Iโ€™d already been on several dates with Adrien, we just hadnโ€™t called them that. Heโ€™d been working at the bar, and Fleur and I had been hanging out for drinks and dinner at Chez Phillippe. But he and I had talked, easily and often. I knew about his sculpting and that he welded in a warehouse not far from his flat on the back side of the hill in Montmartre. I knew about his art exhibition coming up at a local gallery, and that he was nervous but looking forward to it and hoping to make some sales. I was more interested in any of that than I was in a second date with Maxime.

โ€œMerci,โ€ I said, accepting his compliment. โ€œI really did have fun tonight. Thank you again.โ€

โ€œI had fun, too.โ€ He fished his metro pass out of his pocket and held it in his hand. โ€œCall me if you change your mind.โ€

โ€œI will,โ€ I answered with a smile, meaning it.

โ€œAnd if itโ€™s that bartender who was staring daggers at me all evening, I think he is interested.โ€

My pulse took off like a rocket. โ€œWhat?โ€ I croaked.

โ€œTall. Dark hair. You had your back to him, but he looked over every time you laughed.โ€

I felt my eyes widen. โ€œReally? Thatโ€™s, um, interesting.โ€

Maxime huffed a wry laugh. โ€œInteresting for you maybe. When he came our way with that champagne bottle, I was scared for my life.โ€

I shook my head, laughing a little. โ€œHeโ€™s not dangerous.โ€

โ€œI was pretty sure he was going to at least point the cork at me when it popped, but he held on to it in the end.โ€

I pictured Adrien chasing off my potential suitors with projectile corks, and Iย lovedย it.

โ€œJust ask him,โ€ Maxime advised. โ€œMake a move. If it doesnโ€™t work outโ€”you have my number.โ€

โ€œThank you.โ€ I stepped closer, and we shared a not-entirely-awkward goodbye hug.

***

I passed by Chez Phillippe on my way home but didnโ€™t stop in. Adrien was still working and didnโ€™t see me as I quickly peeked in the window. Things were winding down at the restaurant. There was no reason to go back in unless it was to ask Adrien out, and I wasnโ€™t sure I was ready for that. I also didnโ€™t want to seem like I bounced between men, having been in there on a date not twenty minutes earlier. I went home to Fleur instead.

โ€œHave you ever asked a man out?โ€ I asked my roommate as she made room for me on the couch and put the TV on mute.

โ€œNo.โ€

Well, that was final.

โ€œButโ€ฆโ€ she continued a moment later. โ€œI would if I was pining for someone, and he wasnโ€™t making a move.โ€ Her eyes twinkled as she added, โ€œI think Adrien is into you. You should go for it.โ€

My insides fluttered with what felt like the fast brush of tiny hummingbird wings. โ€œHe said I looked beautiful tonight, and apparently he was glaring daggers at my date.โ€

Fleur squealed. โ€œReally? Hooray!โ€

โ€œPeople donโ€™t usually cheer over death glares.โ€

โ€œPeople donโ€™t usually bring random dates to the same restaurant every time and parade them under the nose of the guy theyย actuallyย like.โ€

My jaw dropped. โ€œFleur!โ€

โ€œForget AmourForTwo.com. It was an experiment. Now you know: Internet dating stinks. You and I both know those dates never led to anything, and so does Adrien. Heโ€™ll make a move if you stop showing up with other men.โ€

I pursed my lips, wiggling my mouth around in a frown. Fleur was right. Tomorrow, I would deactivate my AmourForTwo.com account. Then Iโ€™d see if things moved forward with Adrien. If he didnโ€™t make a move soon, then I would.

ยฉ 2018 Amanda Bouchet All Rights Reserved

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