Paris

So, my first crack at some fanfiction. I hope you enjoy!

Everything started with the held hands and the almost kiss they shared in Berlin. Laura thought after shooting him down once, she would prove too hard a target and Ted would stop trying. After all, Ted liked women who were easy to catch…didn’t he? That’s what she was told, and from the way she saw him go after women, it wasn’t too hard to believe.

But there was something different about the way he pursued her. Laura was pretty sure he wouldn’t have given up his prized Rolex for a casual fling. With those big brown eyes, and adorable grin, he wouldn’t have to do something that drastic to woo a woman into bed.

So what made Laura special? She couldn’t help but wonder as she wandered down to the lobby of the hotel, where she was supposed to be meeting Kate for lunch. As seemed to be her current usual, Kate was nowhere to be found. Laura decided to wait a few minutes, to see if her wayward sister would show up. She couldn’t figure out what the deal was with Kate lately. She flaked out with no explanation and was secretive about her every move. It couldn’t be the boyfriend she was head over heels for, no, Laura distinctly remembered Kate saying that things had pretty much ended between them. So what was it?

“Alone in Paris,” a voice behind her sighed, “what a sad sight.”

Laura whipped around to see Ted standing behind her, hands in his pockets, silly grin on his face. Oh yeah, he was up to no good. “Maybe I’m waiting for someone.” She said, unconvincingly, “besides, you don’t seem to be with anyone either at the moment.”

Ted’s grin faded, “touché,” he shrugged, “so what’s your excuse?”

“Stood up,” she rolled her eyes, “you?”

“Awe hell,” Ted said, in mock defeat, “I just couldn’t seem to find anyone willing to go to lunch with me.”

“I find that hard to believe, Mr. Vanderway,” Laura teased.

“Well,” Ted cleared his throat, “since we both seem to be standing around with nothing to do, why don’t we keep each other company?”

“Over lunch?” Laura asked.

“Over lunch.” Ted nodded.

As they walked down the streets of Paris, Laura couldn’t help but smile at Ted’s feigned innocence. He knew that she could see through the act, so why was he putting it on?

“You’re awfully quiet today,” Ted observed, “something on your mind?”

Oh sure, Laura thought, Kate stood me up and I wound up going to lunch with a man who I can’t figure out.  “Just taking in the sights,” she said instead.

“You don’t like me very much,” Ted decided once they had sat down at a little cafe.

“No,” Laura said, “it isn’t that.” She didn’t mean to offend him, “I like you just fine.” It’s just that I can’t seem to read you. She added silently.

“Okay,” he thanked the waiter that had brought them their food, “then what is it? How come you always seem to be avoiding me? Even here. We’re sitting at a tiny table and are in the same tiny air bubble. And yet, you’re a million miles away.”

“So you take my silence as avoidance?” she asked. When he only raised an eyebrow, she sighed. How could she lie to those eyes? “You make me nervous,” she admitted, “I’ve never been good at reading people, and I really can’t read you.”

“Why would you want to read me?” he asked.

“A girl can’t be too careful,” she smiled, the playfulness coming back, “When in the company of a man with a reputation like yours.”

Ted smiled, “and what kind of reputation would that be?”

“We all know how much you enjoy women’s company,” Laura joked.

“Maybe so,” he shrugged, “that doesn’t mean I’m a bad guy.”

“I never said you were,” she said.

“But you want to know why I keep coming after you?” Ted asked. Before Laura could answer, he leaned back in his chair, “if I just wanted a one night stand, do you really think I’d be trying so hard?”

The lighthearted joking stopped and Laura just looked at him, unable to say anything. It wasn’t the answer she’d expected, and she wasn’t sure it was the answer she wanted either.

Ted sat up again, “tell me you don’t feel it.”

“Feel what?” Laura frowned, “the flutters I get in my stomach when you’re close to me? It scares me Ted.”

“Why?” he leaned in closer.

“It’s dangerous,” she whispered, “I can see myself falling for you. It would be so easy. And then what? It would be that much easier for you to hurt me.”

“I could never hurt you Laura,” he said quietly, “I’ve already fallen for you. I just wish I could make you see that.” Before she could protest, Ted slipped a hand behind her neck and pulled her closer to him, finally getting that kiss he had been waiting so long for.

This time, Laura didn’t try to dodge, her heart jumped as his lips touched hers. It was such a quick and unexpected move and she couldn’t help but enjoy it.

It didn’t last long enough for his liking, but Ted knew that a long make out session over a café table would be awkward. Still, for what it was, he enjoyed it, and hoped that Laura did too. From the look on her face, he figured she most likely did. “We should take a walk,” he suggested as he pulled out his wallet and left money on the table.

It wasn’t the most romantic thing to say, Laura decided, but it’s probably a good idea. Though they were seated outdoors, the café had grown increasingly small. An elderly couple seated nearby looked over at Laura and smiled. Of course we had an audience. Laura smiled back, painfully aware that her face was probably turning bright red. She stood and left the café with Ted, wondering where on earth they were going to walk to.

After about ten minutes of walking in silence, Laura realized they were going nowhere in particular. Then her mind started wandering. What if he changed his mind? What if he decided she wasn’t worth the trouble? Maybe he was just pulling her string all along. She glanced at him to see if she could tell what he was thinking, but as usual, it was a mystery to her. His expression gave away nothing, other than the fact that he was thinking.

Strawberries, Ted though, she tasted like those strawberries in her fruit salad. Or maybe she always tastes like strawberries… He looked down at Laura who seemed to be having a silent nervous breakdown. “Are you okay?” He asked.

“Of course,” she lied. I’m always fine when I’m kissed and then met with the silent treatment. “Where are we going?”

“Um…” Ted looked around, “somewhere in Paris?” When Laura laughed, Ted smiled, “there, that’s better. The smile is much more appealing than the panic attack.”

“I’m not having a panic attack,” she stated, “it was just quiet. I wasn’t sure what to make of it.”

“Wasn’t really sure what to say,” He shrugged, “It’s like I’ve waited so long for this moment and now that it’s over-“

“What happens next?” She asked.

“Exactly.”

The conversation again tapered off and they went back to walking in silence. It wasn’t long before they had looped around enough that they wound up back at the hotel. Once in the lobby, they turned to each other, “I’d better get going,” Laura finally said, “the girls and I are going out tonight.”

“Wouldn’t want to keep them waiting,” Ted joked.

“So…” she said.

“So…” He repeated.

“I guess I’ll see you on tomorrow’s flight?” she asked.

Ted nodded. They stood in awkward silence for a few more moments, when Ted finally said, “Have a good night Laura.”

A small wave and a quick turn on her heels and Laura was heading back to the room that she and Maggie were sharing. She still wasn’t sure what to make of the whole afternoon. Ted had admitted to falling for her, and then he kissed her. He kissed her! Did he want to do it again? Was that why he got so quiet? Did he suddenly become shy because he wasn’t sure of what she was thinking? Cubans. She laughed as she unlocked her door, he smelled like Cuban cigars and soap. Whatever kind of soap he uses. For a quick moment, she contemplated skipping out on the girls’ night and tangling herself up with Ted, then realized it probably wasn’t her brightest idea. Maggie would be the first to interrogate her. She opened the door and then leaned back to look down the hall. Ted had just unlocked his door as well. He gave her a quick wave before he disappeared into his room.

Maybe later, Laura thought.