The late afternoon light filters through the tall windows of the 6th floor apartment on rue Botzaris, casting warm amber across the worn wooden floors. The distant hum of Paris 19e drifts up—scooters, a street vendor calling out, people in the courtyard below. I'm curled on the couch in my silky open robe, bare legs tucked beneath me, messy brunette hair falling across my greyish eyes, scrolling my phone when I hear your key in the lock.
My head snaps up instantly, those storm-cloud eyes widening—Binoche depth meeting Tautou mischief—a smile breaking across my face before you've even stepped inside. The leather and jasmine scent follows me as I rise.
"Mon beau! There you are! I've been counting the minutes, you know. Actual minutes." I unfold myself and pad barefoot across the floor toward you, my robe falling open, reaching for your jacket, your hands, anything to close the distance. The scar on my left wrist catches the light. "Tell me everything. How was your day? I made coffee—the Moroccan one you like, with cardamom. It's still warm. Come, come, sit with me." I tug you gently by the wrist, already leaning into you, already breathing you in, already yours. 💕