Haylie POV
My heart raced like wildfire as I stared out the window, curiosity burning brighter with every passing moment. This was already the best day ever, and I didn't care that I hadn't eaten or drunk anything yet—nothing could top this feeling.
I glanced over at Liam, who was smiling at me with such warmth that I couldn't help but smile back.
My cheeks flushed, and before I could stop myself, I reached out and took his hand in mine. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with heartfelt sincerity. Living this adventure, sharing this moment with him—it meant everything to me.
His smile widened, lighting up his face, just as the car came to a halt. My eyes widened with excitement, and I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, my curiosity getting the better of me. Before the driver could open the door, I slipped out, eager to see where we had arrived.
The fresh morning air greeted me, carrying the chirping of birds and the distant hum of people. But as I looked up, everything else faded away. There it was—the Eiffel Tower, standing tall and magnificent against the sky.
"That's the freaking Eiffel Tower!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing with disbelief and joy. My mouth hung open as I took in the sight, my entire body trembling with excitement.
I was in Paris—actually in Paris—and the dream I'd held for so long was right before my eyes.
Liam stepped up beside me, his presence grounding me in this surreal moment. I turned to him, my emerald-green eyes wide with awe. "Liam, we're in Paris," I said breathlessly, my voice trembling with excitement.
He grinned, his tone teasing yet affectionate. "I know. And that's the Eiffel Tower—the one you've always wanted to see."
A squeal of pure joy escaped me, and I couldn't contain myself. I ran to him, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug, then kissed him without a second thought, not caring if I left lipstick on him. My excitement was too overwhelming to hold back.
"Miss Hatten, your purse," came the driver's polite voice from behind.
I pulled away from Liam, cheeks and ears blazing with heat, and turned shyly to take my purse. "Thank you," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady.
Despite my embarrassment, the smile on my lips refused to fade.
I turned back to take it all in—the Eiffel Tower, the bustling morning streets, the crisp air filled with life. We were in Paris, and it was still early. This was the beginning of a day I'd never forget, and I couldn't wait to see what else was in store.
Liam's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to him. "So, Miss Hatten, what do you say we grab some breakfast and then head over to see the Eiffel Tower?"
His words were warm and teasing, and they made my cheeks flush while my heart fluttered wildly.
"That sounds like a perfect idea," I replied with a playful wink.
He extended his hand to me, and I slipped mine into his, savoring the warmth of his touch. I heard him tell Max, the driver, that he'd call if we needed him later.
Hand in hand, we strolled through the Parisian streets until we found a quaint little restaurant. The ambiance was perfect, and we managed to get a cozy table with a wonderful view of the bustling city.
To my surprise, I discovered that Liam could speak French fluently. I was stunned, and honestly, hearing him speak in French was incredibly attractive—there was something undeniably sexy about the way the words rolled off his tongue.
After the waitress left with our order, I couldn't resist asking, "Liam, how do you say 'I love you' in French?"
He chuckled softly, reaching across the table to take my hand in his. His brown eyes sparkled with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. "Je t'aime tellement, Haylie. Tu es la femme avec qui je veux passer le reste de ma vie," he said, his voice low and velvety.
My lips parted in astonishment. I'd only caught my name, and the rest of the words sounded like a beautiful mystery. "Wait... is 'I love you' really that long in French?" I asked, my brow furrowing in playful confusion.
Liam's smile widened, and he gently brought my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss there.
"No," he said, his voice tender. "What I said was, 'I love you so much, Haylie. You're the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.'"
His words left me speechless, my eyes locked on his as their meaning sank in.
My cheeks flushed a deep red, and I whispered, "That's so sweet." Swallowing the lump of emotion in my throat, I added softly, "If you'd like, I'd love to spend my life with you, too." My voice trembled slightly as I admitted, "When I'm around you, I feel like I can be myself... and you make me feel safe, Liam."
His grip on my hand tightened gently, his own emotions mirrored in the way he looked at me. He opened his mouth to say something, but just then, the waitress returned with our breakfast and drinks, momentarily breaking the spell.
We enjoyed our breakfast, savoring every bite.
The flavors were so rich and delicious that I couldn't get enough. When we finally finished, Liam leaned over with a warm smile and asked, "Are you ready?"
I nodded, excitement coursing through me. The day was still young, and I was eager for what lay ahead. Hand in hand, we left the restaurant and made our way to the Eiffel Tower.
As we approached, its immense size left me in awe. The closer we got, the more it felt like a dream. But walking the grounds in my high heels quickly proved to be a mistake.
With a laugh, I slipped them off and continued barefoot. "These heels were not made for the Eiffel Tower," I said, giggling as Liam grinned at me.
We climbed to the very top, pausing to take in the breathtaking views of Paris.
The city stretched out before us in all its glory, a stunning tapestry of life and history. Surprisingly, I wasn't afraid of the height. With Liam's arms wrapped securely around me from behind, holding me close, I felt safe. It was the most romantic moment I'd ever experienced.
"So, Miss Hatten, would you like to dance with me right now?" he whispered in my ear, his voice warm and teasing.
I turned in his embrace, looking up into his sparkling brown eyes. "But there's no music," I replied with a playful smirk.
He released me, stepping back slightly before taking my hand and pulling me close again. "Who needs music to dance?" he teased, his grin widening.
I couldn't help but chuckle as he gently placed his hands on my waist.
Slowly, he began to move us in a graceful rhythm, swaying as if we were gliding across the clouds. As he leaned closer, he softly hummed the melody of an old song.
It was just the two of us at the top of the Eiffel Tower, dancing high above Paris. The moment felt magical, like something out of a fairy tale.
"I know this song," I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder. It was one my mother used to hum to me, and as we danced, the words naturally came back to me. Quietly, I began to sing along, my voice blending with his soft humming.
When our dance ended, we decided to head back down.
Liam surprised me by buying us ice cream from a nearby vendor, and as we walked, he spotted a pair of flat black shoes in a shop window. Without hesitation, he bought them for me so I wouldn't have to walk barefoot any longer.
Once we returned to the car and climbed inside, I turned to him with a curious smile. "There's more?" I asked, unable to hide my excitement.
Liam chuckled, closing the car door behind him. "There's always more," he said, his tone full of mystery.
I had no idea where we were headed next, but as long as I was with Liam, I knew it would be perfect.
Writer POV
Haylie and Liam spent a truly magical day in Paris, each moment filled with wonder and excitement. Their first stop after the Eiffel Tower was a serene cruise along the Seine River. As the boat glided gracefully along the city's heart, Haylie marveled at the breathtaking views of Paris.
The iconic landmarks and quaint riverside buildings seemed even more enchanting from the water.
Liam stood beside her; his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders as they admired the cityscape together.
By the time the cruise ended, the afternoon sun was high in the sky. The pair headed to the Palace of Versailles, where they wandered through the lush, sprawling gardens. The beauty of the meticulously maintained grounds left Haylie in awe.
She couldn't resist taking countless photos, both of the gardens and of Liam—his relaxed, effortlessly charming demeanor making every picture more special.
When lunchtime came, they found a cozy local café. Over slices of decadent cake and refreshing drinks, the two talked and laughed, their connection growing stronger with every passing moment.
Liam had left his tuxedo jacket in the car, loosening his shirt and rolling up his sleeves, which only added to his boyish charm.
Their conversation turned to their quirks and fears. Haylie confessed her deep fear of spiders and how she couldn't sleep in her room if she even suspected one was nearby. "And needles," she added, scrunching her nose, "I hate them so much!" Liam couldn't help but laugh softly, sharing his own fears in return. "I can't stand small, cramped spaces," he admitted, his face growing serious for a moment. "I just feel… suffocated."
They also joked about their tastes, with Haylie learning that Liam despised most vegetables but grudgingly ate them when necessary.
After lunch, Liam surprised Haylie by taking her to Disneyland Paris. Her eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning, and her excitement was contagious. Liam adored her enthusiasm as she dragged him from one ride to the next, laughing and cheering all the way.
They indulged in cotton candy and silly souvenirs, and Liam won her a giant, fluffy teddy bear at one of the game booths.
As the sun began to set, the two boarded the Ferris wheel, the perfect end to a perfect day. The view from the top was breathtaking, with the vibrant colors of the sunset painting the Parisian skyline.
Haylie couldn't resist snapping a picture, wanting to preserve the moment forever.
Before they left, Haylie spotted a small vendor near the exit selling handmade crafts. She purchased two simples, knitted bracelets—both grey, with tiny seashells attached to them. Turning to Liam, she smiled shyly and placed one around his wrist.
"We're still too young to get married," she said softly, securing the bracelet, "but this is something to remind us of our love—that we're bound to each other."
Liam looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, his expression tender. He helped her put on her matching bracelet, then gently lifted her hand to his lips. "It's perfect," he murmured, his voice full of warmth.
As they walked hand in hand back to the car, the bracelets on their wrists felt like a quiet promise—of love, adventure, and a bond that would only grow stronger with time.