Blind Courage I was completely and utterly confused. Me? Like Jake? Possibly love him maybe? Years ago, I would have shouted "Heck no!", but now, I wasn't so sure. Jake was leaving, and the thought tore me to pieces on the inside. He'd been such a close, reliable friend, I couldn't stand to lose him. Not now. We've been too close. He's my best friend. I should have been excited. Lou gave me the manager job, that I desired and deserved. But at closing, when Jake stopped by to say goodbye, the manager job was on the bottom of the "Wants" list. I wanted Jake to stay. I wanted to tell him the strange feelings for him. I wanted him to want to stay. Of course I couldn't tie him down; after all, we were only close friends. That day, seemingly so long ago now, I felt the need to tell him my feelings went beyond friendship. Far beyond friendship. but how does one admit to falling for the one person youve denied any feelings for, for so long? The person you pushed away most? To be honest with myself, I loved Jake all along. yes, I had a thing with Badger, and even less of a thing with Austin, but it was the short, tag-a-long, cowboy with the sweet, soft eyes that stole my heart. and he's had it for a long time. And with his goodbye, came our first kiss. I understood. He felt the same way I did. It was such a relief, but I realized, he wasn't staying. But when he brought up going to Paris with him, I wanted to jump into his arms and scream "yes!" I had to be realistic though. What was in paris for me? Besides the handsome cowboy. My life was in Hudson, Alberta. How could I leave? But I did. The pull of Paris, or maybe Jake, loaded me onto a one way to France. I knew Jake was there, in his new apartment probably unpacking. What was I heading into? A little less than a week ago, Jake had asked me to move to Paris with him, and I turned him down. Would he even still want me there? Was I too late? "Excuse me Miss, we're landing soon. Pilot says seatbelts on." I nodded at the older gentleman next to me, "Thanks." I fastened my seatbelt and put my ear buds back in. Soon after, I felt the plane touch down on pavement. Paris. I gathered my belongings and exited the plane, to retrieve my luggage from the baggage claim. I packed light. After all, what if Jake makes me leave? In the lobby, I scanned the crowds for a familiar face, and found one. Lisa. "Lisa! Hi!" I hugged the woman. "Thank you so much for meeting me here." She smiled, "Anytime Mallory. Welcome to France! You're going to love it here, it's so beautiful...no matter what Jack's told you." she winked. "I know exactly where Jake's staying. Not too far from here. He'll be happy to see you, just wait!" she encouraged me. Lisa wasn't kidding. France is beautiful, and Jake lives really close to the airport. In a matter of minutes, I stood in the hallway of a cute french apartment complex. I told Lisa that I wanted to do this alone, but she only left because I convinced her that Jake wouldn't make me walk back to the airport if he told me to leave. He'd at least drive me. I took a deep breath, and in a leap of blind courage, knocked on the door.