The man in my dreams.

Chapter 8: A Night in the City of Love

The discovery of the photograph stayed in Amélie’s mind the entire afternoon.

Even after several customers came and left the bookstore, she kept thinking about what Julien had said. The idea that they might have been standing only a few steps away from each other years ago felt almost magical.

From time to time, she glanced at Julien. He had stayed in the shop again, quietly reading another novel near the window.

The soft sunlight of the afternoon fell across the wooden shelves, giving the bookstore a peaceful glow.

Finally, when the last customer left, Julien closed his book and walked toward the counter where Amélie stood.

“I’ve been thinking about that photograph,” he said.

“So have I,” Amélie replied.

Julien smiled gently.

“It’s strange how life works sometimes,” he said. “Two people can live in the same city for years and never meet… until the right moment.”

Amélie nodded slowly.

“And somehow we were already dreaming about each other before we even spoke,” she added.

Julien laughed softly.

“Yes, that part is still hard to explain.”

For a moment they simply looked at each other.

Then Julien spoke again.

“Amélie, would you like to go somewhere with me tonight?”

Her heart skipped slightly.

“Where?” she asked.

“There’s a small café I like,” Julien said. “It’s near the river. Very quiet and beautiful at night.”

Amélie hesitated for only a second before smiling.

“I’d like that.”

---

Later that evening, after closing the bookstore, Amélie met Julien outside as the lights of Paris began to shine across the streets.

Together they walked toward the café.

The city felt alive and romantic, just as it always did at night. Music drifted from nearby restaurants, people sat outside talking and laughing, and the cool evening breeze carried the sweet smell of fresh pastries.

Soon they arrived at a charming little café along the Seine River.

From their table outside, they could see the beautiful Eiffel Tower glowing softly in the distance.

“It’s beautiful here,” Amélie said as she looked around.

Julien nodded.

“I come here when I want to think,” he said.

They ordered coffee and sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

For the first time since they met, their conversation became more personal.

Julien told her about his childhood growing up in Paris. He spoke about how much he loved walking through the city streets and spending time by the river when he needed to clear his thoughts.

Amélie shared stories about her life too—how she had always loved books and stories, which was why she chose to work in the bookstore.

“I think books help people understand emotions,” she said.

Julien smiled.

“Like love stories?”

“Yes,” she said with a small laugh.

Julien leaned back slightly in his chair, watching the lights of the city reflected in the water.

“You know,” he said thoughtfully, “if someone told me a month ago that I would meet a girl who had been appearing in my dreams, I would have thought they were crazy.”

Amélie laughed.

“I probably would have said the same thing.”

They both looked toward the shining lights of the Eiffel Tower again.

The tower suddenly sparkled brightly as thousands of small lights began to flash across its surface.

Amélie’s eyes widened.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Julien looked at her rather than the tower.

“Yes,” he said quietly.

She turned back toward him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked softly.

Julien hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Because I feel like meeting you wasn’t an accident.”

Amélie felt her heart beat faster.

“What do you mean?”

Julien smiled gently.

“I think some people are meant to meet,” he said.

The moment felt calm and special. The sounds of the city faded slightly as they sat together under the glowing lights of Paris.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Julien slowly reached across the table and gently held Amélie’s hand.

This time, she didn’t feel surprised.

Instead, a warm feeling spread through her chest.

She smiled softly.

Above them, the lights of the Eiffel Tower continued to sparkle beautifully, as if celebrating the quiet beginning of something special.

And in that peaceful moment, Amélie realized something.

The man from her dreams was no longer just a dream.

He was sitting right in front of her.

And their story was only just beginning.