‘First’ – A Short Story

This is part two of ‘Doors Away.’ ❤ Enjoy!

“I didn’t know this place existed!” She stepped up onto the concrete, angling herself as close as she could to the sparkling water.

“That’s understandable,” he said, and she noticed when he grinned slightly. “You just moved here.”

She turned toward him again and graced him with a upbeat smirk. “Eh bien,” she said softly, using her favorite French phrase. “That’s probably obvious, isn’t it?”

The late afternoon light caught his glasses as he shook his head. She watched him lick his ice cream cone and absently shake his auburn bangs away from his forehead. “I wouldn’t say that,” he said, but she saw the twinkle in his eye.

Hopping down off the ledge, she returned to his side, both resuming their casual stroll. “You can tell me,” she said confidently. “Do I really look like a foreigner?”

He shook his head. “Hardly,” he continued, biting into the cone.

“My, you are quite the conversational one,” she drawled.

He looked up, although she struggled to catch his glance through the guarded expression he wore. “I’m sorry.” He suddenly grinned good-naturedly. “‘Tis not my fault you finished your ice cream first.”

They walked on, their laughter filling the air with contentment.