It's amazing how well flattery works. Even though he only knows ten words of French. It's gotten him this far. Far enough that he's forgotten the real reason why he went to France in the first place.
Except, he can't really forget. Not at all. He expected more brunettes upon arrival but that's not the case. Not as of late.
It's a miracle he even scraped up the money for this trip. But it is her wedding. She invited him. He needs to say goodbye.
The rehearsal dinner is a success. Well, it's not so much a rehearsal dinner as it is a final goodbye among them all.
Amidst everything, he manages to catch her alone on the balcony. She looks lost in thought. He approaches her then, drink in hand. It's Jack. Straight. He doesn't want to go through this night sober.
She's got tears in her eyes. He can tell the smile on her face is forced once he stands next to her.
"Tomorrow…" is all he says. Tomorrow's her big day.
She nods in response. "Tomorrow."
What he doesn't factor in is tonight. Because tonight brings another woman to his door. She's blonde, just like the rest have been. But she wears an engagement ring on her finger. It's one that he quickly removes once she steps through the threshold.
They don't talk. Talking's too painful. Words might slip that aren't meant to slip in the night.
Instead, their bodies press close. Their lips hardly leave one another's; his skin's warm against hers. They don't leave the bed. A lot is left unsaid, actions speaking volumes.
He holds her tight until the morning. He loves, when he knows she can't in turn.
When he awakens the next morning, she's gone. The lingering scent of her shampoo on the pillow reminds him that it wasn't a dream.
He's out all morning, prolonging the meeting between everyone before the ceremony.
Just a few minutes before it's scheduled to begin, he makes his way over to the church. The big group standing outside, littering the steps, surprises him.
He catches bits and pieces of conversations.
"She just disappeared."
"She left a note, I hear."
"I guess the wedding's off."
The looks on his friends' faces confirm the conversations around him.
He takes his time, walking back to his hotel room. When he opens his door, he finds her sitting on the bed, white dress next to her.
"I couldn't go through with it. I can't. He's not you."
He nods. A tear slips from her eyes.
"I wanna go with you. Wherever you go."
He notes the suitcase next to the bed, one that isn't his. it's as distracting as her current undergarment clad state.
"Please? I can't stay here. Not without you."
They book a flight back to the states that same day. The only thing left of her in France is an engagement ring and a wedding dress.
She's somewhere else now. Happy. At home.