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“Can I suspect you’re not just riding with me?” I asked Laurence as we boarded the plane. It was another Gulfstream jet with an interior that looked more like a comfortable living room with built-in L-shaped couches with pillows and reclining leather seats. I sat across from Laurence on one of the leather recliners.
“No, Nadia. I’m here for you.”
“Do I still have my apartment?”
Laurence grinned. “You know us well. Yes, but I’m here to assess how secure it is for your safety. As you see, the press is still around. I’d need to be nearby to make sure you’re safe.”
“Very diplomatic. But how do I look, having a chaperone? Sorry, Laurence.”
He shrugged. “Hey, I lived in Paris, know my way around most of the continent, and speak seven languages. And my wife says I’m a lot of fun.”
I grinned and poked his arm. “You are, and I’m grateful you’re here, but….”
“You want Paul, I know, and he should be here.” He sighed. “Loving you has him scared stiff. Just…give him time.”
My chest fluttered. Paul loves me…but on the other hand, Laurence wants to fill me with hope. “Well, if you’re here, Laurence, then you’re here for me, not him. No reports on anything I do, and I won’t fight with you.”
He grinned. “What do you mean, anything?”
“Maybe, I might…go out on a…a date,” I stammered.
Dating wasn’t something I was interested in doing, but if Paul was gone, he couldn’t manage whatever I chose to do with my time.
Laurence shrugged. “Well, you’re both single.”
I grimaced. Of course, I didn’t want Paul with anyone else but me. “Touché.”
“The plane is ready for take-off.” The hostess alerted us. We belted into the seats. The plane moved to taxi and soon, we lifted up into the sky. I stared out the window until the landscape turned to clouds. Dad and Mom were still down there, and I was going to be at least eleven hours away or more from Wisconsin.
“Are you still shaken up by the press?” Laurence asked.
“No, it’s more…I’m worried about my parents.”
“Your dad has the best in the business looking after him. He also has Agata, and she’s a nurse, right?”
I nodded and sighed. “Yeah.”
After ten minutes, the seat belt light went out.
“Paul has a surprise for you,” Laurence announced.
“He does?” I raised my brows.
“Yes. It’s in the suite in the back.”
I puzzled, but a lightness filled my spirit. He stood, and I followed him down the aisle to the back of the plane.
There was a gift basket and flowers in the room. I picked up the voice language translator in the front. I put in the earbuds and turned to Laurence. “Can we test it?”
“Bonjour, mademoiselle,” Laurence rattled off in smooth fluency.
Hello, miss. A voice played back.
I beamed and turned excitedly toward more of Paul’s gifts. There were maps of France and a French phone with a list of numbers pre-programmed in it. He included a book with all the clothing shops and museums, a stack of sketchpads, and a new iPad since mine disappeared on the boat. Paul even had chocolates he only watched me enjoy once. He never misses anything. And it made my heart ache so profoundly that I couldn’t keep myself upright. I sank onto the bed as hot tears fell from my eyes. Paul had the right intention, but it only stood out in its insignificance without him with me.
“Paul planned this for you a while ago,” Laurence muttered soothingly. “He loves you so much, Nadia.”
I stood and hugged him. “Thanks, Laurence.”
