Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“I agree,” Brock says. “The only issue is whether I can get you on the same flight with Dave and me.”
My heart drops. “Brianna…”
She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I know, Maddie. I made a promise to you, but this is my family. Something big is going on.”
Rory smiles at me. “Jesse and I will be here for you, sis.”
“But you guys will be busy taking care of the band. This is your big shot, and you’re already working with a substitute drummer. Neither of you can take the time to hang out with me.”
Brock raises his eyebrows. “What if I try to get both Brianna and Maddie on that plane tonight?”
Jesse frowns. “This is Maddie’s big chance to see Europe. I understand why Brianna has to go, and I agree with her. She needs to be there for her family.”
“I don’t understand,” Dave says. “My dad told me that Uncle Talon and Aunt Jade said you should continue the tour and see Europe, Bree.”
“My parents are treating me like a child,” Brianna says, “and I honestly don’t blame them. I acted like a child when I was back home. I let my father down by coming on this tour. I should’ve stayed, worked with him, begun my life’s work.”
Jesse puts his hand over hers. “But I’m glad you came. I’m so glad we found each other.”
Brianna looks adoringly into his eyes. “I am too. Truly. And I was so looking forward to spending the rest of the tour with you. But this is something I feel I have to do.”
“I know, and I agree with you,” Jesse says. He turns to Maddie. “Tell you what, Mads. What if I promise to bring you back here someday? You won’t get to follow the band around on tour, but you’ll still get to see Europe. You’ve seen our set a million times at this point anyway. Maybe we’ll get Callie and Rory to come too and make it a Pike siblings trip.”
I look around at all their faces.
Jesse is serious, and he’s going to marry Brianna, so he’ll have the money to bring me to Europe. So will Callie and Rory.
Going home—and being with Dave—has its merits also. Maybe I can finish my last semester of college as well.
“I suppose it all depends on whether Brianna and I can get on the flight,” I say.
“Not a problem.” Brock taps on his phone. “I just secured your tickets. You leave on the same flight with Dave and me tonight, both of you.”
I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. I was so looking forward to seeing all of Europe, but it would be fun to return with just my siblings. And I’d like to see if anything can blossom between Dave and me.
I sigh and take a sip of my café au lait in front of me. “All right.”
“I hope you understand, Mads,” Brianna says. “You know I’d rather do almost anything than leave your brother or break a promise to you.”
I nod. “Trust me. I know. You made your feelings for my brother quite clear. Even before they were reciprocated.”
She blushes. “I was that transparent, huh?”
I nod. “Now that I’ve gotten over the shock of it, I’m truly happy for you two.”
Brianna smiles across the table from me. “That means a lot to me, Maddie. And once we figure out whatever’s going on with my family, you and I will be together in Snow Creek, and we can hang out. Spend time together.”
I force a smile. “I’d like that, Bree.”
The server brings our standard continental breakfast, and Dave and Brock order their standard American breakfast to supplement it. I’m good with the croissants. She brought baguettes today as well, which are surprisingly good slathered with butter and jam.
I’m loving French cuisine, and I’d love to explore more of it, but I guess Dave and I can have lunch today during our stroll on the Champs-Élysées.
Then we’ll both have to come back here, pack up our stuff, and leave.
I take a bite of croissant, enjoying the flakiness and buttery flavor.
And I wonder how I can be so happy and so sad at the same time.
And then something occurs to me that I’ve been trying like hell not to think about.
This afternoon… I’m going to have to set foot on a plane. I thought I had a couple of months to get used to the idea of flying again.
Turns out, I have a couple of hours.
My nerves do the chicken dance under my skin, and it’s not pleasant.
Chapter Thirteen
Dave
Maddie and I take the Métro to the Arc de Triomphe that stands proudly at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It’s a monument honoring those who fought and died for France.
“Do you want to go to the top?” I ask Maddie.
She shakes her head. “Let’s just walk along the street. That was your original idea, and I like it. We can take in as much Paris as we can before we have to leave.”