“Yes?” Jonas prompted.
“I was preoccupied with the meeting today...I was worried about how I’d do.”
“Your French is superb. You needn’t have been anxious, and you know it. What did occupy your thoughts? Or should I say who?”
Stephanie was saved from answering by the waiter, who reappeared to take their plates. She gave him a grateful smile and finished the last of her wine before the man returned with two steaming cups of coffee.
Jonas asked for the bill, paused and looked at Stephanie. “Unless you’d like something more? Another dessert, perhaps?”
“No.” She shook her head for emphasis and placed her hands over her stomach. After downing half of everything on the menu, she felt badly in need of exercise.
The sun had set, and the sky was darkening in shades of pink by the time they finished the last of their coffee.
“Shall we go?”
Stephanie nodded and stood. “Everything was wonderful. Thank you.” The food had been marvelous; she freely admitted that, but it was this time with Jonas that had made the dinner so right. For this brief span of time, they hadn’t sharpened their claws at the other’s expense. Stephanie didn’t want the evening to end. For the first time since she’d worked with Jonas, she felt at ease with him. She feared that once they arrived back at the hotel, everything would revert to the way it had always been between them. Jonas would immerse himself in the papers Adam was getting for him, and everything would be business, business, business.
The maitre d’ was about to call for the limousine when Stephanie placed her hand on Jonas’s arm. “Would you mind if we walked a bit?”
“Not at all.” Jonas turned toward the maitre d’, who nodded and wished them a pleasant evening.
“I ate so much that I feel like a stuffed turkey at Thanksgiving. I’m sure a little exercise will help.” She was conscious of his leg, but trusted that if it pained him, he would say something. His limp was barely noticeable as they strolled down the narrow sidewalk. “There’s a park across the way.”
“That sounds perfect.”
They crossed the street and sauntered down the paved walkway that led them into the lush green lawns of a city park. Black wrought-iron fences bordered flower beds filled with bright red tulips and yellow crocuses. Row upon row of trees welcomed them, proudly displaying their buds with the promise of new life.
“I’ve always heard Paris in springtime couldn’t be equaled,” Stephanie said softly. She mused that anyone happening upon them would think they were lovers. Paris in the spring was said to be a city meant for lovers. For tonight she’d pretend—reality would crowd in on her soon enough.
They followed the walkway that led to the center of the park, where a tall fountain spilled water from the mouths of circling lions’ heads.
“Shall we make a wish?” she asked, feeling happy and excited.
Jonas snorted softly. “Why waste good money?”
“Don’t be such a skeptic. It’s traditional to throw a coin in a fountain, any fountain, and what better place than Paris for wishes to come true?” She opened her purse, digging for loose change. “Here, it’s my treat.” She handed him a dime, since she had little French money with her.
“You don’t honestly expect me to fall victim to such stupidity?”
“Humor me, Jonas.” She noted the amusement in his blue eyes, and she ignored his tone, which sounded harsh and disapproving.
“All right.” Without aim or apparent premeditation, he tossed the dime into the water with as much ceremony as if he were throwing something into the garbage,
“Good grief,” Stephanie muttered beneath her breath. “I don’t know of a single fairy in the entire universe who would honor such a wish.”
“Why not?” he demanded.
“You obviously haven’t given the matter much thought.”
One corner of his mouth edged upward slightly. “I was humoring you, remember?”
“Did you even make a wish?”
He shrugged. “Not exactly.”
“Well, no wonder.” She shook her head dolefully and looked at him in mock disdain. “Try it again, and this time be a little more sincere.”
His eyes revealed exactly what he thought of this exercise. Nonetheless, Jonas reached inside his own pocket and took out a silver dollar.
Stephanie’s hand stopped him. “That’s too much.”
“It’s a big wish.” His look was far more thoughtful as he took aim and sent the coin skipping over the surface of the water. The silver dollar made a small splash before sinking into the whirling depths.
Stephanie gave him a brilliant smile. “Okay, my turn.” She turned her back to the fountain, rubbed the nickel between her palms to warm it, closed her eyes and, with all the reverence due magical wish-granting fairies, flung the coin over her shoulder and into the fountain. “There,” she said, satisfied.
“How long?” Jonas demanded.
“How long for what?”