The Plus One: A hilarious feel good romantic comedy by L.L. Abbott

Author:L.L. Abbott [Abbott, L.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LLABBOTT
Published: 2021-02-12T05:00:00+00:00

16

I often find myself looking at strangers and wondering what pushes them forward or keeps them going. Everyone has had something happen in their life that has been less than positive and for some people, it can trigger life-long choices. People stay single, stay married, grow a beard, or quit their job. It just never occurred to me that anyone was looking at me that way. Being in Paris was beginning to make me self-conscious that way and I was trying to figure out a bit about myself while I explored the city.

I arrived at the planned meeting earlier than expected hoping it would calm my nerves. I was waiting when he walked in. Gerard Couteau had a special look about him that revealed he had a life well-lived. He was a thick man, but not one that I would call large or overweight, it was a heaviness that gave his age a healthy appearance.

He had a wise face and he surveyed the restaurant from under the wedge of his navy hat with confidence. The hat worn tilted to one side was an obvious fashion statement intended to accentuate his suit as well as disguise his rapidly thinning hairline. This I’m only aware of because of my cyberstalking skills and some useful intel from Gloria who had told me he had spent more than the cost of a small child’s private school education on a hair transplant that didn’t take. That and the fact that it was too warm for a sweater, let alone a hat.

I arrived early at La Tasse, a small bistro chosen by Gerard for our meeting, to ensure we had a comfortable table and enough privacy to talk. I was seated by the owner, Sylvie, who had introduced herself when I arrived and when she realized I was there to meet with Gerard Couteau. She had already been made aware that Gerard was arriving and had already reserved his favorite table.

She was attractive and exactly like I would’ve imagined for an owner of a small Parisian bistro to look like. She had an effervescent personality and warm dark eyes which were different shades of coffee brown. A blend of mocha, caramel, and espresso, fitting since she was the owner of the café called La Tasse, which means ‘the cup’, and popular for their coffee and pastries. Her chestnut brown hair was pinned behind her ears and long loose strands fell casually along the side of her face and golden highlights accentuated both youth and complexity. Lines creased the small corners of her eyes and curled as she smiled. She had a kind familiar look and made you feel at home the instant she welcomed you into the café.

I ordered a coffee, my system requiring the hit of caffeine because of my restless night’s sleep, and a pastry because I believed it to be compulsory while having a coffee in Paris. I was rewarded with the most incredible breakfast as a result.

I was brushing the crumbs from the corner of my mouth when Gerard stepped into the bistro.

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