Love Shots 2: Love at First Sight
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Guinevere
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Chapter 1
Book 2: Love at First Sight
CHARLOTTE
If there’s one place you shouldn’t be when you’re single during the feast of Saint Valentine, it’s at the heart of France—Paris. And here I was.
People just seem more in love on Valentine’s Day, and it makes me painfully aware of how single I am. If this work deal weren’t so important, I’d probably be in New York enjoying a nice Galentine’s Day with my girlfriends. Not that I have many, but it’s still better than being alone.
Work ended earlier than usual to celebrate the day of love, and of course I was happy about that, but the walk toward my apartment felt lonelier than ever.
Stopping by my favorite crepe place, I stood outside and waited in line. I was literally surrounded by couples with no regard for PDA. Kisses, touches—there was so much passion everywhere.
“Mademoiselle?”
“Oh, bonjour! Une crêpe au chocolat s’il vous plaît,” I said apologetically. The man behind the stand gave me the tiniest smile as I handed over my payment.
I stood to the side, waiting for my dessert. Paris is always full of people, whether locals or tourists, but they really do flock here for this holiday.
“Mademoiselle, votre crêpe,” the man called out, handing me my mouthwatering dessert.
“Merci! Bonne journée.” I thanked him, resuming my walk.
Taking a bite of my dessert, I was walking at a steady pace when my phone rang. I knew it shouldn’t, but my heart skipped a beat when I read the caller ID.
“Hi.”
“Where are you?”
“Still in Paris.”
“Yeah, I mean where in Paris?” he asked.
“On my way home, why—” I spotted a familiar figure in front of my apartment building.
“Liam?” I shouted, dropping my phone from my ear. “Oh my god!” I squealed, rushing to him.
I threw my arms around him as his strong arms wrapped me in a hug, lifting me off the ground.
“God, I missed you,” I mumbled against his chest.
“I missed you too, Lottie.”
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to see you,” Liam said, setting me down.
He leaned back on his car, bringing me with him as his arms never let go.
“Wait, what about the company event?”
“Flew here as soon as I could,” he said, smiling down at me.
“Aww, how sweet,” I said, caressing his stubbled cheek.
God, I missed him. Just seeing his face dispels all of my life’s troubles and worries.
“How long are you staying?”
“I have to fly back tomorrow afternoon, unfortunately.”
“Still better than nothing. Come on, let’s go inside,” I said, pulling his hand toward the door, but he didn’t budge.
“Let’s go for a drive.”
“To where? Everywhere’s probably super crowded. And I know you hate crowded areas.”
“True, but come on, just trust me,” he said, flashing his signature smirk.
He opened the door to his metallic blue Aston Martin, holding out his hand for me to take. Getting into his car, he made sure to place his hand on top so I wouldn’t accidentally bump my head. Ever the gentleman.
I watched him walk around the car to his side, getting in with clear excitement. He secured my seatbelt before doing his own, and off we went.
I didn’t know where we were going, but I know him well enough to trust he’s planned this. We drove for about an hour before we arrived at our destination.
Observatoire de Paris
“Don’t tell me…”
“Mhmm,” he said proudly.
“I don’t even want to know how you pulled this off,” I said, astonished. We drove a few more feet until we reached the gravel pathway. He parked in front of this gorgeous sixteenth-century building with white stones and Greco-Roman architecture.
“I have my ways,” he said, winking at me.
Liam quickly came around to my side, offering his hand for me to take.
“Thank you,” I said, smiling up at him.
“Come on,” he said, never letting go of my hand as he led us inside the building. Just the sight of Liam’s tall figure and broad back was enough to give me a sense of warmth and security. His hand holding mine was warm and big, and I wished he’d never let go.
“Charlotte?”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve been calling your name, what’s wrong?” he asked, stopping in front of me. His eyebrows bunched together, and his blue-green eyes shone with worry as he searched my face.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I replied.
“Charlotte,” he said, using my full name—which, as everyone knows, means business. It’s a universal thing.
“I’m just homesick, I guess. I miss you guys,” I said, reaching out to touch his cheek with my free hand. “But you’re here now.”
“I am,” he said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced.
“Let’s go. I’m excited to see what their observatory looks like,” I said, trying to lift the mood.
I gave him my best puppy-dog eyes and waited until he finally relented. We resumed our walk toward the tower.
“Did you actually rent the whole place out? I don’t see any people—or security, for that matter,” I commented. Aside from our chatter, my heels were literally the only thing making noise as we walked.
“I pulled some strings,” Liam said, pushing the door open for me.
My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me. I felt so minuscule in the presence of the gigantic telescope and the large dome above us.
“Wow…” I breathed, tipping my head back to enjoy the view.
“Are you hungry?” Liam suddenly asked, nodding toward the other side of the dome where a small canopy stood. It was complete with blankets and throw pillows, even adorned with fairy lights.
My heart just swooned.
“Aren’t you quite the charmer, Mr. William,” I teased, running toward the canopy.
“Only for you,” he said. He gazed at me adoringly.
I knelt down on the blanket and crawled into the canopy, remembering how we used to play like this when we were kids.
“Let me remove your shoes for you,” Liam said, squatting beside me to undo the straps of my heels.
Liam was always like this—effortlessly warm and kind toward me. It’s impossible not to fall in love with him when all the big and little things he does are like Cupid’s arrows shot straight to my heart.
Great, Valentine’s is really getting into my head.
“Thanks, Liam,” I said as he removed my shoes and set them aside.
“Open the bag. I’m sure that crepe wasn’t enough,” he said, handing me a suspiciously familiar brown bag.
“Don’t tell me…”
But he just nodded eagerly, his dimples appearing. I opened the bag to find my favorite New York cheeseburger with potato wedges from the small diner we usually go to.
“I love you, you know that, right?” I said as I unwrapped the burger and bit into the juicy, cheesy goodness. “God, this is heaven,” I moaned and let my eyes shut, savoring the taste.
I kept eating with gusto, only realizing it had gotten quiet when I opened my eyes to see Liam leaning on his arm, quietly watching me with a smile.
“What?” I asked, covering my mouth as I chewed.
“Nothing.” He smiled. “I brought some Merlot?” he added, pulling a bottle seemingly out of nowhere.
He set out two wine glasses and poured some into each. He handed me a glass, and we raised them, the clink echoing throughout the place.
“Happy Single’s Awareness Day,” he joked, making me snort with laughter.
“I forgot about that. We usually say that on Valentine’s Day, huh?” I laughed, shaking my head.
“That can be easily remedied, though,” he said, raising a teasing eyebrow at me before finishing his whole drink in one swig. “Meet me there when you’re done eating. I’ll go ahead and set it up.”
He left his glass behind and walked toward the control desk.
Another thing about Liam: he’d make teasing remarks like that, but as soon as he said them, he’d close himself off and brush it away in a split second.
I watched him expertly maneuver the controls and buttons, aligning the gigantic telescope to his liking. How he managed to rent out this place was beyond me—what he wants, he usually gets.
I finished the rest of my burger and went to his side. The way Liam’s face lights up whenever he talks about astronomy never fails to amuse me. He’s been talking about it for so long that it’s definitely rubbed off on me as well.
After an hour of looking, we headed back to the canopy. We lay on our stomachs, our heads peeking out from the tent.
Liam brought out a box of chocolates that paired perfectly with the wine.
“You really did the whole shebang, huh?” I commented, feeding him a piece of chocolate.
“I did, didn’t I?” he said, smiling cheekily.
We resumed looking at the sky through the open dome, and even without the telescope, the dark sky was littered with stars.
“You’re right, you know,” I said after a while, swirling the red liquid inside my glass.
“About what?”
“When I see the vastness of the sky, it makes my problems seem so small…,” I said, looking up. “Not that it suddenly doesn’t matter…but it makes it less scary.”
“Tell me what’s wrong, Lottie,” Liam said, grabbing my chin. “I can’t help if I don’t know what the problem is.”
I want to tell you. I really do.
I knew if I didn’t change the topic, I was going to get swept up again with my knight in shining armor. He was always ready to protect, defend, and solve my problems.
He’s just the person who makes me want to depend on him.
He’s my person.
“Thank you,” I said, turning to my side to face him. I brought my hand up to his face, letting my fingers brush against his stubble.
“For always being there.”
I propped myself up and kissed him on the lips, surprising Liam.
“C-Charlotte,” he stuttered, eyes wide as he searched my face. “What are you—”
“Just kiss me back. Please.”
