Chapter 5

F our days later, I stepped off the plane at Charles de Gaulle Airport with a carry-on suitcase, a backpack, and a raging headache.

I hated flying. I hated airports.

But I loved Paris.

I visited Addie for Christmas last year and had the time of my life. For six days, we explored all the tourist attractions and ate some of the best food I'd ever had. The snow was magical and the time I spent with Addie and her new friends was invaluable.

I was hoping for the same experience this time.

I made my way to the arrivals bay, scanning the crowd for my sister. I checked my phone for a text from her, only to remember I forgot to set up international data before I left, so it didn't work yet. Tucking it back in my pocket, I wandered with squinted eyes.

There she was.

My older sister sat on a bench in a corner, wearing jeans and a black floral t-shirt. Her copper hair flowed over her shoulders; it was longer than the last few times I'd seen her. It looked brighter too, and thicker. There was a blush on her cheeks and a luster to her skin that had never been there before.

Next to her, her vampire boyfriend sat with his arm around her shoulders. Holland looked like a damned magazine model, with fluffy brown hair and a chiseled jaw that could cut glass. He sat tilted toward Addie and said something that made her shake her head and laugh.

"Addie," I called, then remembered she was probably wearing her earplugs to diminish the noise of the crowd.

To my surprise and delight, she looked up.

A bright smile spread across her face, mirroring the one on mine. Headache forgotten, I waved excitedly and began winding through the crowd of travelers. Addie stood from her bench and threw her arms wide to accept my hug. I wrapped myself around my sister, ignoring her small squeak of surprise.

I wasn't sure I'd ever been so happy to see anyone.

"I'm so happy you're here!" Addie cheered, rocking me back and forth in a vigorous hug. "You smell like plane."

"Rude," I laughed. "Sorry, I didn't have time to shower in the airport sink before meeting you."

Addie pulled back and grinned at me for half a second before tugging me back into a hug.

Before I knew it, I was sobbing into her shoulder. The weight of every sadness I carried crushed me all at once and I forgot how to breathe. I forgot I was in the middle of an airport five thousand miles away from home. All I knew was I missed my sister and I needed her to make it better. Addie rubbed my back and offered gentle reassurance.

Eventually, I straightened and wiped my wet eyes. Addie reached into her purse and handed me a pack of tissues, keeping her hand on my shoulder while I cleaned my face and blew my nose.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm just tired."

Addie sucked in a breath. "It's okay to allow yourself to feel, Indy."

I wrinkled my nose. "Paris has made you wise. It's weird."

Addie laughed, and I swore the sound was like church bells—beautiful and entirely too smooth. Yet another thing about her that had changed inexplicably.

"I'll take your backpack," Holland offered, holding out his hand.

I was too tired to argue with him. I shrugged out of the bag and let him take it. He took the handle of my suitcase from me too. I shot him a thankful smile.

"So, we thought we'd take you to your hotel first so you can clean up and rest a bit, then we're having dinner at Holland's sister's apartment tonight, if you're up for it?" Addie said as we started walking.

The first time I visited Addie, I thought it was strange that she didn't want me to stay in her apartment. Of course, that was before I discovered it was only a couple hundred square feet and a studio, which she shared with Holland. Besides, Holland paid for my hotel, so I couldn't argue. It was the same this time around; I knew the hotel would no doubt have a kick-ass shower or a huge bathtub and I could lounge around until they came back to escort me around the city.

Holland's sister, Sophie, had a large, two-bedroom apartment that worked best for gatherings. Before I boarded the plane, Addie told me the whole crew would be there, including her best friend, Willa, and Willa's boyfriend, Wren. She also mentioned Sophie had a girlfriend now; her name was Eliza.

I supposed there was a reason Paris was called the City of Love.

Regardless, I was excited to see all of them again.

Addie and Holland led the way out of the airport, handing me a metro pass to use on the train. I stumbled onto the train car after them, settling into a seat while the outskirts of Paris passed around us. Addie sat next to me, digging her nails into her thighs. I looked at her face, and her eyes were squeezed shut. She seemed to be holding her breath.

I nudged her lightly. "You okay?"

Addie blinked a few times and glanced between me and Holland before answering. "Yeah, I'm just overwhelmed."

I let her answer go and turned back to watching out the window. The train ride was nearly an hour, and then we had to switch to the metro to get to my hotel. Addie stood with Holland on the trains, her hands over her ears despite also wearing her earbuds. He held her against his chest, watching the crowds around us. I stayed quiet for the most part, too tired to bother keeping up with any sort of conversation. If I wasn't standing, I might have dozed off to the ear-splitting sound of the trains breaking into every metro stop.

We finally made it to my hotel, a building more glamorous than I could ever expect to afford. Holland checked me in at the front desk. I couldn't help but notice everyone Holland ever talked to seemed entranced by him, including my sister. He thanked the receptionist with a smile, turning my key card over in his hand as he returned to me and Addie.

"Thank you," I said. "I appreciate it."

"My pleasure," Holland responded, glancing at Addie.

She blinked a few times, shook her head, and smiled. "We'll be back around seven to take you to Sophie's, does that work?"

I checked the time. It was almost three now; four hours was plenty of time for a shower and a nap. "Sure, just text me. I'm sure I'll have my phone figured out by then."

"Oh, here." Addie held out her hand. I gave her my phone. She tapped on it for a moment before handing it back. "That should do it."

All at once, a few of her texts from throughout my flight came through—along with several others from Jackson I would have rather not seen. "Thanks," I said. I took my backpack and suitcase back from Holland. "See you both in a couple hours. Thanks for picking me up."

"Welcome back to Paris," Addie said.