Now we're stuck together, Kasie thought, glaring at Jake as he casually stepped into the elevator. She had barely managed to escape her chaotic morning when the last thing she needed was this.
Jake flashed her a grin that could only be described as infuriatingly smug. "You're late."
Kasie stared at him as if he is to blame for all of a world's ills. Just in time, she snarled, "but you—.
"Fashionably late, I know," Jake interrupted with a wink. "Besides, we're in Paris. Who's in a rush?"
The doors closed and just as they began to move, the elevator made a thumping jolt. Kasie felt her stomach drop, then heard the soft clunk as it came to an abrupt stop.
What now? she said, looking at the closed panel, wishing that it would move just as happily again.
Jake didn't seem phased. He took out his phone and started scrolling, clearly content to let the universe take its sweet time with whatever it was trying to do. It looks like we're in a jam, he said, almost a monotone to the precarious circumstances.
Kasie's fingers were still tight on the emergency button. "Stuck? That's putting it lightly. We're in an elevator in Paris. And I'm stuck with you."
"Hey," Jake said, glancing up from his phone. "You'll survive. I'm charming company."
"Charming? You're insufferable," Kasie shot back, rolling her eyes.
"I'm just saying, you could do worse," he replied. "I'm practically Parisian at this point."
Kasie crossed her arms. "You've been here for what, three days? The only thing Parisian about you is your ability to be annoyingly relaxed about everything.
Jake flashed another one of those infuriating smiles. "That's the secret to enjoying Paris. Relax. No need to stress. We're stuck together, sure, but might as well make it fun.
"I'm not here for fun, Kasie said, but despite her frustration, she couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh. "I'm here to get work done."
Yeah, well, he said, backing up against the wall, "you got me. So, why not make the most of it?"
Kasie glanced at him, trying to ignore the way his easygoing attitude had a way of making her feel. a little less tense. "I've never met anyone so completely frustrating and so relaxed about everything, she muttered under her breath.
It'll grow on you," he grinned, a huge expansion of his smile. "You're stuck with me now."