Read Big Girl Playing in Paris: Big Girl Series Bk4 for Free Online Page A

were mounted alongside in front of the tower. Shannon moved through the crowd, the clusters of people getting thicker and thicker as she got closer to the base of the Eiffel Tower.
    Shannon was beginning to think there was no way she would possibly get to see Julian, or even come close, especially with the sixty pound suitcase she was lugging around behind her. She paused halfway across the length of the lawn, and was surprised to look up and see Julian filling the frame of the projection screen, his acoustic guitar in hand.
    “Thanks for letting me do this, guys,” Julian said. He looked out to the camera. “Merci Paris.” The crowd roared, and close by Shannon could hear a French girl screaming Julian, Julian .
    He began to play. Julian’s eyes were rimmed red, and when he started to sing Shannon was astonished. She thought he never sang, just played the guitar. Unlike Alex’s made-for-pop vocals, Julian’s voice was low, soulful even. The melody drifted across the lawn, and the cheering died down to listen to the slow song.
     
    I should start by saying I'm sorry,
    I know I wasn’t right.
    I've been a lot of places, done a lot of things,
    but I'd trade them all to undo one foolish night.
     
    Julian strummed the guitar strings, his head bowed over the guitar. Shannon stood speechless, her suitcase clutched in one hand. Wilder Side had never done anything like this before. This…this was for her.
     
    Now you’re hurt, cause I hurt you
    And you left cause I made you.
    And if you’re already gone, well I’ll give you this song
    Even if you don’t want me.
     
    Julian raised his voice slightly for the chorus. He sang as though it broke his heart to sing, and maybe it did. Beneath his soft hair Shannon saw the pain contort his expression.
     
    I'm not too strong to admit I'm wrong.
    I'm not too proud to say it out loud.
    I'm not gonna walk away.
    Because I love you, I love you, I am in love with you.
     
    The crowd swayed quietly to the song, and as Julian played the last few notes Shannon couldn’t help the tears spilling out again over her cheeks. So many tears. She wondered if they would ever stop.
     
    Yeah even if you turn to go
    I’m not gonna walk away
    Because I love you, I love you, I am in love... with you.
     
    A ripple of applause spread across the huge lawn, but Julian didn’t acknowledge it. He just slung the guitar off of his shoulder and turned to the band offscreen.
    “You guys ready to go?”
    Alex took the mike from Julian and stepped into focus.
    “Bon soir Paris!”
    The crowd surged forward, screaming as one unit for the band. Shannon could see the rest of the band members getting set up behind Alex. Alex waved and grinned for the camera, and women and men alike in the crowd swooned for him. He was the rock star. He was the head of the band.
    But Julian was the soul.
     
    ***
     
    Shannon gasped as she passed through the doorway into the room. It was decorated in an old French style, with antiques and gilded paintings lining the walls. Hundreds of small candles illuminated the room with tiny flickering lights.
    After the whole set, Shannon pushed through the crowd. Her airplane was forgotten—nothing mattered except that she had to get to Julian. With the thousands of people leaving after the show, it was like trying to fight her way against a river current carrying a huge suitcase. Luckily, as soon as she got closer to the front a security guard saw her and waved her over.
    “Vous etes Shannon?” He checked his phone, and Shannon saw her face on the screen. Julian must have sent out an alert for her.
    Shannon nodded, and he led her to the base of the tower, past two lines of security.
    “Voici,” he said, motioning her into the cage elevator. He pressed a button and stepped out, leaving her alone. She started with fright as the elevator jolted to a start. It carried her higher and higher through the illuminated tower, and she turned around to look at the whole city as the cage moved