14
P A R I S O N R E P E AT
I was here right now, in Paris, at the most romantic spot in
the world. With my secret crush. And soon, we’d be on the top
of the Eiffel Tower. Together.
I’d tell Jace my feelings then. I’d read straight from the note
to keep my tongue from tangling into sweaty silence like usual.
Each word would be perfect.
It was top on
my
day’s agenda. It was now or never, and I’d
already had too many nevers.
Across the street near the carousel, a hip-hop song boomed
out from a radio.
“Check out those dancers!” Reggie called, clueless about my
unexpected and failed bout with Parisian hawkers. “Mrs. Clark,
can we watch for a second? Look at them go!”
Five guys were doing flips and dancing along the sidewalk.
Other tourists had already gathered, clapping along.
“Crowds like that are rife with pickpockets in Paris,” Mrs.
Clark warned.
“We’ll be careful!” Reggie declared. Everyone else chimed
in with excited nods. Reggie had that effect on people. Her en-
thusiasm was contagious.
Mrs. Clark checked her clipboard. “Well, we do have a few
minutes before our scheduled time for the Tower.”
“Yes!” Reggie pumped her fist.
We crossed the street and gathered along the front of the
