Author's note: This chapter takes place 6 months later. Except for 2 chapters, this story has been entirely from Zach's perspective. I am going to experiment with toggling back and forth with their thoughts. Hopefully it won't suck too badly. If you have an opinion either way, let me know – I'm not wedded to any particular viewpoint.
Chapter 21
Zach eased into the tiny little chair and wondered for the millionth time why Etienne chose seating for his little café that was more suitable for midgets. He sipped his coffee, not daring to lean too hard against the equally diminutive table. He usually brought a book as part of his morning routine, but he was up particularly late last night and his eyes were sore from all the cigarette smoke. No matter how late his night was, he always arose bright and early so that he could have one of Etienne's heavenly pastries right out of the oven.
He heard a woman's voice rising in anger. "What do you mean you don't have any more chocolate croissants? This is France. You should have them stacked to the ceiling." Etienne's reply was frosty. "Do you stack hot dogs to the ceiling in America? It is unimportant. It does not change the fact that we are out of chocolate croissants. There are many other pastries here that you may choose from." Zach heard an impatient sigh. "You don't understand. My sister loves chocolate croissants. Normally it wouldn't matter, but she was up all night with her sick daughter. I wanted to get something special for her. In America we call it comfort food."
The hairs on the back of Zach's neck began to prickle. Kendall. He stole a look over his shoulder. There she was, standing at the counter. She was wearing a tank top and peasant skirt. She was here in Paris. Apparently Bianca and Miranda were with her. It was surreal to see her. So many times she had haunted his thoughts and dreams, and here she was. He chuckled to himself. Of all the coffee joints in all the towns, in the world - she walks into mine. What was it about her that got him channelling Bogart flicks?
Kendall groaned in frustration as the café owner folded his arms and glared at her. What was she going to do now? She heard someone behind her speak in French, and the owner's face lit up. She turned around. "Excuse me, you'll have to wait your turn!" She stared at the encroacher. Standing there, with his hands in his pockets, smirking, and sporting a scruffy beard, was Zach Slater. "I never thought I'd say this, Kendall, but you really need to work on your rudeness. It's an art form here in Paris, and you're way out of your league" Kendall recovered from her trance. "I should slap that beard right off your face you sorry son of a bitch!" Zach stroked his whiskers. "That's good, but the French put more emphasis on insults than violence." Kendall's hand itched to follow through on her threat. "Okay, how's this? You are a coward who runs away when things get too difficult. Who doesn't have the decency to say goodbye to his two remaining family members. Who leaves the whole town wondering just who the hell you thought you were turning everyone's lives upside down. Who hijacks me on your last night in town, gives me this incredible kiss, and then dumps me in a cab without….again!….without saying goodbye. You are the lowest form of life that ever crawled out of the primordial soup, tried to stand upright but failed, and decided to go back in for another swim."
The café customers burst into applause. The café owner came around the counter and gave her a little bow, presenting her with a bag. "That was impressive, madamoiselle. Here is the chocolate croissant for your sister." Kendall was outraged. "I thought you said you didn't have anymore?" The owner gave another bow, this one slightly apologetic. "I keep a few choice morsels for my favorite customers. Monsieur Slater asked me to fetch you one, as a favor." Kendall glared at Zach. "Figures. You threw your weight around in Pine Valley. Now you're doing it in Paris." She snatched the bag. "I'll let you pay for this, since you owe Bianca."
Kendall stalked out of the café. When she reached the fresh air outside, she found herself wanting to burst into tears. Fool! She'd spent a grand total of 36 hours in close quarters with Zach, and was kissed by him once. He should have been a mere blip on her radar, yet his leaving had affected her more than she was willing to admit. Seeing him just now, after six months, knocked her off kilter. She looked around and realized that she was going in the wrong direction. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She turned around and ran right into Zach.
He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. The touch sent a burst of energy through him that he hadn't felt in a long time. She knocked his hands away and backed up. "Take it easy, Kendall. I know you hate my guts, but I would really like to find out about Miranda. You told Etienne that she was sick. How sick?" She had a malicious look in her eye, as if debating whether to hang the information over him. He simply stared at her. She shrugged. "Miranda just has a virus. She's feverish and has explosive diarrhea, but 'Doctor' Maggie thinks she'll be fine. That enough information for you?" Zach relaxed. "Sounds like something she might have picked up flying here. Happens all the time." Kendall gave him an odd look. "If she picked up the bug while flying here, then it must have incubated for four months." He frowned at her. "I don't understand." She raised one eyebrow. "Bianca, Miranda and Maggie moved here to Paris in February. Bianca is running the European division of Cambias."
Zach was stunned. He'd become something of a recluse, but didn't realize it was that bad. Kendall folded her arms and said, reluctantly, "Do you want to come see them?" Zach suddenly felt lightheaded. Hold sweet little Miranda in his arms again? "Yes, I would, thank you," he said solemnly. She gave a curt nod and marched down the street. Around the corner from the café, she stopped at a door to an apartment building. Producing a key, she unlocked the door and motioned him inside. Two flights up she unlocked another door and stepped inside. Zach heard Bianca's voice, sounding weary, call from another room. "Kendall, is that you? Where have you been?" Kendall responded, "I wanted to surprise you with your favorite breakfast treat. I also picked up a stray bum while I was out."
There was a squeal, and Zach looked down to see a child toddle in from another room and straight to Kendall. "Enda, Enda!" In amazement he realized that it was Miranda. Her hair had grown a bit, and she was walking and saying words. Kendall lifted her up and gave her a hug. "Goodness, you look like you're feeling better! Did the buggy boo go away?" Miranda giggled. "Boo!" Bianca entered the room. "When I checked her this morning, her fever had broken." She saw Zach standing there and stopped short. "Zach? What? How?" She just stared at him. Kendall spread her hands. "I told you I picked up a stray bum. It just happened to be a bum we know." Bianca shook her head and sat down. "Zach!" Miranda chimed in. "Zach!"
Maggie walked in and saw Zach. She didn't appear all that surprised to see him. She sighed. "I guess you found us. Oh well, it was only a matter of time." Bianca stared at her. "What do you mean?" Maggie shrugged. "Remember that jazz club we went to about a month ago? The one I said I didn't like and didn't want to go back?" Bianca nodded. "I saw him there, playing the saxophone. I wasn't positive it was Zach, but I was pretty sure. So I made up an excuse for us to leave." Bianca looked at her agape. "Let me guess, you wanted to protect me from the big bad Cambias." Maggie shrugged again and stared unapologetically at Zach. Bianca put her head in her hands. "I haven't had enough sleep to be able to process this." Kendall marched over and handed her the pastry bag. "Here, eat this and drink some milk, then take a nap. Zach and I will put Miranda in her stroller and take her for a walk." Bianca peeked inside the bag and smiled. "I'll take you up on that offer."