Read HIM for Free Online Page B

grunted and groaned up the stairs and into the bistro.
                  “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed, hand over mouth – failing an attempt to stifle my laughter – practically falling out of my chair.  “That was just… brilliant .  Bravo,” I commended him, clapping my hands together for effect.  Jensen laughed and took a tiny bow in his seat.
                  Never in my life had I met someone as unique or as gutsy as Jensen.
                  “That was for you, mademoiselle ,” he said in a highly authentic French accent, his eyes glimmering against the setting sun.
                  “ Merci ,” I responded, my French impression sounding like garbage next to his.  Heat rushed up my cheeks and stayed there.
    Just then I had realized something – I was out in public, dining with a man – surrounded by men of all ages.  And yet I was completely at peace.  I didn’t see him anywhere.  I couldn’t feel his presence.  It was like last year never even happened.  I smiled to myself in satisfaction.
                  A few moments later our waitress came back with our drinks.  I hoped she hadn’t noticed I was blushing.  Without a word she placed them in front of us, anger ornamented on her pretty face.
    “Ready to order yet?” she asked, almost irritated by our presence.  Well, mostly mine.
                  “No,” Jensen replied.  “We’d like a couple more minutes if that’s alright with you.”
    Yeah , I thought, considering we haven’t even glanced at the menu since we sat down.  How can I focus on something other than Jensen?  He’s too handsome to look away from.
                  “Yeah.  Whatever,” she said with an attitude, storming off with her long hair waving behind her.
                  “Someone seems a bit cranky,” Jensen chuckled.
                  “I wonder why,” I teased.
                  “She’s just bitter because she sees I’m with such a gorgeous woman.  And she’s certainly not you.”
    I couldn’t help it, I blushed again.  That was something I used to do all the time when I was the normal Avalon.  It felt great feeling the heat rise up to my cheeks once more.  I was starting to feel alive again.
                  “Do you normally grin this much?” he asked with a smile of his own.
    Have I really been doing that the entire time?
    Embarrassment was now on its way.  “Um,” I began, “not recently.  I used to though.”  For a second, his face fell but regained control with a warm smile.
                  “Then I hope it’s a good thing I’ve been causing you to do so.”
    It was certainly all right with me.  We fixed our eyes on each other but didn’t speak.  It was as if we were in our own little world – an invisible bubble of quiet.  Our utopia was disturbed when a woman shrieked to the right of us.
                  “Ugh!  You moron!  I can’t believe this!  Look what you did!” she yelled at the waiter.  He looked to be my age, maybe a little older.  He seemed distressed.  I felt sorry for him.  Food carnage was sprawled across the floor in all directions.  The light breeze was now blowing it around.
                  “I’m sorry, miss,” the young waiter said, scrambling to wipe the food off the woman’s lap.  “I’ll clean this up right away.  Dessert is on the house.”
                  “It’s just pastry, honey, it’ll wash out,” said the man she was dining with – most likely her husband.
                  “Oh, Ralph,” she said infuriated, “ shut up .”  And the couple disappeared inside.
                  “I try to take you out to a nice restaurant but instead end up at a circus!” Jensen exclaimed, chuckling.
                  “I like the circus,” I laughed.  “I’m having a really nice