Kiss
Unfortunately, Aaron had been right about Carla’s hotel. Her room reeked of cigarette smoke, and the carpet was threadbare with some unpleasant-looking stains. She flung open her window, convincing herself the room would suffice for a night or two, and she stuffed her backpack under the bed for a semblance of safekeeping.
She couldn’t wait to leave again, and she took herself for a walk before she went to meet Aaron.
Carla loved how Paris took on a different atmosphere at dusk. There was an underlying sexiness that wasn’t so apparent during the day, like how the original cancan dancers of the Moulin Rouge reputedly didn’t wear underwear beneath their flouncy skirts. Mopeds zipped through narrow streets and peals of laughter rang out from bars and cafés. An air of anticipation hung in the squares as people waited for the Eiffel Tower to light up when it went dark.
She crossed the Seine over a bridge where lovers had fastened thousands of padlocks to the railings. Couples gathered and posed for photographs, attaching locks marked with their initials and messages of love. Carla took out her phone and snapped a few shots of them before walking to the place she’d arranged to meet her ex-husband. She almost tripped over her own feet when she saw Aaron was already waiting outside the bistro they used to frequent on their honeymoon. She recognized its bluey-grey exterior and rose-gold signage immediately.
He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and pressed his hand to the small of her back as they went inside. The gentle warmth of his fingers radiated through Carla’s body and she tried not to quiver at his touch.
The bistro’s interior looked exactly the same, too, and Carla thought she even recognized a waiter or two. As she and Aaron sat down together, it was easy to forget they were no longer married.
“Merlot?” Aaron asked, looking up at her from the wine list.
Even though she’d love a big glass of red, Carla shook her head. “Just sparkling water for me, please.”
If Aaron was surprised, he didn’t show it. He leaned in toward her and asked about her business. Whenever he focused his attention on someone, he could make them feel like the only person in the room. Her mother and Aaron had that in common.
“The agency is called Logical Love,” Carla told him, careful not to reveal that he’d been the inspiration behind it.
“It’s a very clever idea. There are lots of cautious people out there, scared of falling in love and getting hurt. It’s a lot easier to be reckless when you’re younger.” He smiled tightly to himself. “How’s your family? Jess, Lucinda and all your aunties?”
Carla was surprised he remembered their names but, then again, why wouldn’t he? He’d once been part of her family, for the four years they’d been married. He’d even allowed Mimi to read his tea leaves and didn’t run a mile when she’d regaled him with stories about the family curse.
She gave Aaron a brief overview of the years they’d been apart, including how she usually sat in her office surrounded by paperwork and flowers when she wasn’t attending other people’s weddings.
They both ordered boeuf bourguignon followed by tarte Tatin, and when Aaron picked up his glass of wine, she noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.
“Do you have any children?” he asked.
Carla had anticipated this question and ordered herself not to look at her belly. “No. You?”
“Nope.” Aaron’s eyes swept away briefly, as if recalling something sad from the past. “I see you’re wearing an engagement ring, though. Are you here because you’re getting married again?”
She jutted her chin and held his gaze. “Why would I come here because of that?”
“Because when people are about to embark on something big and new in their life, it makes them look backward in time. They get this overwhelming urge to revisit their history.”
Carla felt her cheeks flush and she set down her fork. “I don’t remember you being this perceptive before.”
“Perhaps divorce made me a better person.” Aaron smiled to himself. He sprinkled salt on his food and threw a few stray grains over his left shoulder. He moved his leg, and his knee accidentally brushed against hers.
A hot ripple spread through Carla’s body and she inched away from his touch.
“Tell me about your husband-to-be,” Aaron said. “Are we alike?”
She shook her head. “You couldn’t be more different. He’s calm, studious, kind and—”
Aaron gave her a look of amusement. “Are you saying that I’m not?”
Carla raised a firm eyebrow at him. “And he doesn’t interrupt me when I speak,” she added. “Tom listens and he’s so creative. We met through my agency and have a fantastic compatibility score.”
“That’s great,” Aaron said, pressing a napkin to his lips. “It really is.”
Carla toyed with a strand of her hair, wondering how much to tell him about the past few weeks. “Of course, my family dragged me to a fortune teller, just to make sure. She read my tarot cards and claimed to see someone in my past who’ll be important to my future. She highlighted six cards, and each is supposed to correspond with a man I met during my gap year. Apparently, my happiness hinges upon one of them.” She gave a disbelieving headshake.
Aaron nodded. “I remember how your family was superstitious. And yes, my mum still carries that horrible rabbit’s foot everywhere with her.” He stroked the knot in his tie for a moment. “I thought there had to be a good reason for you to fly to France to see me. Unless it was for my good looks and charm?”
Carla sighed, laughing despite herself. “Nope, sorry.”
“And yet, here you are...” His words were light yet loaded.
“The tarot-card thing is ridiculous,” Carla blurted out. “I wasn’t even aware we’d met during my gap year. You did work as a bartender in Corsica? I saw a photograph of you there.”
Aaron frowned at her. “Are you sure it was me?”
Carla took out her phone to show him the photo.
Aaron let out a surprised, sharp laugh. “Yep, that’s me all right. I was only there for a few weeks.”
“I don’t recall you ever mentioning it.”
Aaron took some time to answer. “I was a bit ashamed, to be honest.”
“About working behind a bar?” she asked incredulously. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. I just did something very stupid.”
