"Don't you just love croissants?" Estelle asked, aware that there was a definite attraction between her friend and Jean-Paul. "I mean - everyone loves croissants. I know I do!"
"You have beautiful eyes," Sheila said, staring at the stranger accross the counter, her voice barely audible. "I've never seen such a deep shade of aqua...like the water in the Bahamas."
A loud masculine laugh broke their silence as Jean-Paul threw his head back, obviously enjoying the moment.
"Oh mon Dieu! You are so amusant!" he commented, reaching over the counter to touch the top of Sheila's hand. "I have never visited this place you speak, but you, ma cherie, have the soul of a poet!"
Unprepared for his compliment, Sheila felt her cheeks get warm and she licked her lips nervously.
"I mean to say... That is...the water in the Bahamas is so beautiful - and blue..."
"Why don't you quit while you're ahead?" Estelle said, through clenched teeth and a forced smile on her lips. "My friend here isn't used to compliments from men, are you sweety? You know french men - always with the compliments, right Jean-Paul? Don't I know it!"
Aware that her friend was upset, Sheila pulled her hand away from his and removed it from the counter.
"So many delicious things to choose from. I love chocolate but those eclaires look so tempting. Help me, Estelle!"
"You seem to be doing well on your own," Estelle laughed. "Okay. Give us a half-dozen plain croissants and six of the almond. Oh and a french bread."
"What about you, cherie? Don't you want something good, too?" Jean-Paul asked, a bemused expression on his face. "If you want I can make some suggestions.
"Jean-Paul is very good at suggestions. He's a very creative guy," Estelle offered, a smirk at the corner of her lips.
"Is - how you say - the cat eat your tongue?" Jean-Paul asked, bending over the counter his face directly in front of Sheila's.
"That would be 'cat got your tongue,' Sheila gently corrected, chuckling. "I just can't make up my mind!"
"I shall do it for you!" Jean-Paul said. "That is - if you want. I am the master when it comes to pastries."
"And a lot of other things," Estelle added. "Please help her so we can go home and have breakfast?"
Turning around, Jean-Paul studied the pastry displayed on the counters.
"Well...we could try a bichon au citron or eclair. I think, for you, the eclair. Firm on the outside hiding a soft sweet whipped cream center in the middle. You agree, yes?" Jean-Paul said, sliding an eclair out of the refrigerator and gently moving it to a small box.
"How much do I owe you?" Sheila asked, staring down at the box to hide her embarrassment.
"Will you please tell us how much we owe you, JP, or I'm gonna starve to death!" Estelle said, grabbing the boxes of croissants and pastry box.
"Today, I shall give you a gift, my friend," Jean-Paul said while staring at Sheila. "It will cost you nothing. I am happy."
"Happy today, happy tomorrow - let's go home! I'm ravenous!" Estelle jumped in. "By the way, JP, are you gonna be at Beth Ellen and Brian's cocktail party, tomorrow night?"
"I was invited, oui. I was not going to go but perhaps if you - and your friend here - will be there, I will change my mind. You will be there, yes?" he asked, his eyes always on Sheila.
"I'm not sure. I don't know anyone in town yet," Sheila answered, thinking how few fancy dresses she owned. Sitting at home watching hockey didn't require an extensive wardrobe expense.
"Of course she's going! Aren't you, Sheila? You have to start meeting people socially! Yes, wel'll both be there!" Estelle answered for them both.
"Good! You have made me a happy guy! A bientot," he responded, moving away from them to serve the now long line of customers.
"I can't come to your cocktail party," Sheila told Estelle. "You go without me. I'll spend a quiet night watching TV."
"Not on your life! You left Hal to start again. This is as good a time as any, girl!"
"But...I don't have the right clothes," Sheila protested.
"I'll lend you something from mine. Listen - we're going and that's that! Right now let's go back and eat."
Driving back to Estelle's apartment, Sheila kept thinking about Jean-Paul's deep-blue eyes and Jean-Paul in general. Fate had stepped in and now she was about to embark on her new life. Glancing at Estelle as she raved on about all Jean-Paul's assets, she realized that her new friendship could put their friendship at risk. It was, she decided, a risk worth taking.
Sites O Web Romances You... is a love, romance, and relationship resource offering relationship advice, romantic inspiration, romantic gifts, and much more. http://www.sitesoweb.com/
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A NEW CHAPTER
by Eleanor Tylbor
Although she was physically and mentally exhausted, sleep escaped Sheila. The couch was narrow and comfortable enough but it was the images of Hal that kept her in a netherland of sleep and semi-consciousness. In her dream state Hal's features were grotesque and each time he opened his mouth to speak, remnants of rotten food mixed with saliva flowed out of his mouth. Over and over he kept screaming, "Sheila - why did you leave me? I need you Sheila! Go get me a sandwich!"
"Sheila! Sweetie! Hello?" a distant voice interrupted the disturbing images.
Opening her eyes, she saw Estelle leaning over shaking her shoulder. Her pillow was soaked with perspiration.
"Are you okay?" Estelle said, her voice filled with concern. "I got scared when I heard you yelling."
"Nightmares!" Sheila responded, rubbing her eyes and running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to come to full consciousness.
"I'm guessing the cause is Hal and not some bad guacamole? Actually...given his love for food" Estelle laughed. "Why don't you go back to sleep and I'll go get us some fresh croissants at La Baguetterie down the street?"
The last thing that she wanted to do was close her eyes. A trip to the bakery sounded like a better option.
"Sounds good to me. Know what? Give me ten minutes to shower and we'll go together," Sheila suggested.
"Are you sure you're up to it? I mean...you look very tired..."
"Estelle. We've been friends like...forever. Is there a reason why you don't want me to go along with you?"
"Well... No - of course not. I was just thinking about...your health! We don't want you to get sick or anything..." Estelle stammered, turning her head away from Sheila as she spoke.
"Good! Just gimme a few minutes to revive myself and dress! This is the first day of my new life! Ohmygawd! I sound like something out of a romance novel!"
The hot water revived her and she found herself actually singing in the shower. Under normal circumstances and having naturally curly hair, she would have blown it straight. However, today it didn't matter and she didn't want to keep Estelle waiting.
"Nice to hear you singing," Estelle said, grabbing her coat in the hall cupboard. "Some advice from a good friend? Don't give up your day job!"
"Actually, I was thinking of starting a recording career," Sheila responded, laughing. It felt so good to feel happy again.
As they were walking out of the door, the phone rang.
"The voice mail will pick it up," Estelle said matter-of-factly.
"Are you sure? Could be somebody important like your friend from last night! Maybe he wants to pick up where you both left off before I entered the picture."
"He'll wait. Anyway - it'll just make him more anxious to see me when we get together next time. C'mon - they run out of croissants fast."
The phone was still ringing as Estelle locked the door and continued to ring long after they both had left.
It was a short ten-minute walk to The Baguetterie and as they opened the door, the sweet smell of yeast inter-mingled with freshly-baked bread greeted them.
"Hmmmmmm... Almost as good as sex, huh? Estelle said, winking at Sheila. "Notice I said almost."
Sheila was completely caught up studying the display case filled with pastries and long sticks of french bread. It reminded her of her business trip to France a few years back.
"So? What you think?" a deep masculine voice interrupted her flash-back. "Do they look good enough to eat?"
"And then some!" she blurted out.
"We have been told that we make the best pastries in town. You are Estelle's friend, no?" the voice asked.
Looking up, she gasped at the source who was leaning over on the other side of the counter. He was tall and muscular with thick black wavy hair speckled with flour. His smile was warm and welcoming and Sheila felt herself blush uncontrollably.
"I am Jean-Paul and you are?" he asked, genuine inquisitiveness in his tone.
"Sheila. I'm Sheila," she managed to get out.
"He owns the bakery," Estelle interjected. "We're good friends - very good friends."
"Would you like to taste one?" Jean-Paul asked, pointing to an eclaire and grabbing the pastry as he spoke. He handed her one and she found herself devouring the pastry.
"Delicious," Sheila said, finishing the last piece. "I...we didn't have breakfast, yet."
"One should savor all the good things in life," Jean-Paul commented, watching as she licked the cream from her fingers, "and not just yearn for them."
"Don't I know that!" Estelle jumped in. "A dozen croissants, sil vous plait?"
However, Jean-Paul didn't hear the order since his attention was focused on Sheila.
To be continued...
Sites O Web Romances You... is a love, romance, and relationship resource offering relationship advice, romantic inspiration, romantic gifts, and much more. http://www.sitesoweb.com/
Although she was physically and mentally exhausted, sleep escaped Sheila. The couch was narrow and comfortable enough but it was the images of Hal that kept her in a netherland of sleep and semi-consciousness. In her dream state Hal's features were grotesque and each time he opened his mouth to speak, remnants of rotten food mixed with saliva flowed out of his mouth. Over and over he kept screaming, "Sheila - why did you leave me? I need you Sheila! Go get me a sandwich!"
"Sheila! Sweetie! Hello?" a distant voice interrupted the disturbing images.
Opening her eyes, she saw Estelle leaning over shaking her shoulder. Her pillow was soaked with perspiration.
"Are you okay?" Estelle said, her voice filled with concern. "I got scared when I heard you yelling."
"Nightmares!" Sheila responded, rubbing her eyes and running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to come to full consciousness.
"I'm guessing the cause is Hal and not some bad guacamole? Actually...given his love for food" Estelle laughed. "Why don't you go back to sleep and I'll go get us some fresh croissants at La Baguetterie down the street?"
The last thing that she wanted to do was close her eyes. A trip to the bakery sounded like a better option.
"Sounds good to me. Know what? Give me ten minutes to shower and we'll go together," Sheila suggested.
"Are you sure you're up to it? I mean...you look very tired..."
"Estelle. We've been friends like...forever. Is there a reason why you don't want me to go along with you?"
"Well... No - of course not. I was just thinking about...your health! We don't want you to get sick or anything..." Estelle stammered, turning her head away from Sheila as she spoke.
"Good! Just gimme a few minutes to revive myself and dress! This is the first day of my new life! Ohmygawd! I sound like something out of a romance novel!"
The hot water revived her and she found herself actually singing in the shower. Under normal circumstances and having naturally curly hair, she would have blown it straight. However, today it didn't matter and she didn't want to keep Estelle waiting.
"Nice to hear you singing," Estelle said, grabbing her coat in the hall cupboard. "Some advice from a good friend? Don't give up your day job!"
"Actually, I was thinking of starting a recording career," Sheila responded, laughing. It felt so good to feel happy again.
As they were walking out of the door, the phone rang.
"The voice mail will pick it up," Estelle said matter-of-factly.
"Are you sure? Could be somebody important like your friend from last night! Maybe he wants to pick up where you both left off before I entered the picture."
"He'll wait. Anyway - it'll just make him more anxious to see me when we get together next time. C'mon - they run out of croissants fast."
The phone was still ringing as Estelle locked the door and continued to ring long after they both had left.
It was a short ten-minute walk to The Baguetterie and as they opened the door, the sweet smell of yeast inter-mingled with freshly-baked bread greeted them.
"Hmmmmmm... Almost as good as sex, huh? Estelle said, winking at Sheila. "Notice I said almost."
Sheila was completely caught up studying the display case filled with pastries and long sticks of french bread. It reminded her of her business trip to France a few years back.
"So? What you think?" a deep masculine voice interrupted her flash-back. "Do they look good enough to eat?"
"And then some!" she blurted out.
"We have been told that we make the best pastries in town. You are Estelle's friend, no?" the voice asked.
Looking up, she gasped at the source who was leaning over on the other side of the counter. He was tall and muscular with thick black wavy hair speckled with flour. His smile was warm and welcoming and Sheila felt herself blush uncontrollably.
"I am Jean-Paul and you are?" he asked, genuine inquisitiveness in his tone.
"Sheila. I'm Sheila," she managed to get out.
"He owns the bakery," Estelle interjected. "We're good friends - very good friends."
"Would you like to taste one?" Jean-Paul asked, pointing to an eclaire and grabbing the pastry as he spoke. He handed her one and she found herself devouring the pastry.
"Delicious," Sheila said, finishing the last piece. "I...we didn't have breakfast, yet."
"One should savor all the good things in life," Jean-Paul commented, watching as she licked the cream from her fingers, "and not just yearn for them."
"Don't I know that!" Estelle jumped in. "A dozen croissants, sil vous plait?"
However, Jean-Paul didn't hear the order since his attention was focused on Sheila.
To be continued...
Sites O Web Romances You... is a love, romance, and relationship resource offering relationship advice, romantic inspiration, romantic gifts, and much more. http://www.sitesoweb.com/
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