Mixed Signals
1225 Words
Anna finally broke the silence.
“A little bit of both. That's what makes a good drama.”
Julian smiled.
“True. So, did you come here for the drama or the business?”
“Both.”
“Interesting.”
Before Anna could ask what he meant, the performance came to an end.
The audience applauded as the actors took their final bows. Moments later, the soft theatrical music faded, replaced by a deeper R&B rhythm as the conservatory transformed into a dance floor.
Emily touched Anna's arm.
“Come on. Let's get a drink.”
They had barely taken two steps when Julian reached for Anna's hand.
He lifted it gently and pressed a kiss against her palm.
“May I have this dance, my lady?”
Anna stared at him for a moment, suppressing a smile.
“One dance.”
“Deal.”
He led her toward the center of the floor.
Under the glow of the chandeliers and hanging lanterns, couples moved slowly to the music. Julian placed one hand lightly around her waist and took her other hand in his.
Anna's heart fluttered.
He was surprisingly good.
“You're full of surprises, Julian.”
“A theatre critic and a decent dancer?”
“Decent?”
He smiled.
“I don't like to boast.”
Anna laughed as he spun her beneath the glowing paper lanterns.
“I only commit to things I find worth the effort,” he said.
His eyes held hers.
“And I have a feeling you're someone who settles for nothing less than extraordinary.”
Anna's smile faltered for half a second.
“Is that right?”
“You tell me.”
The music changed, becoming slower.
Julian moved closer.
“I take it you're not French.”
Anna raised an eyebrow.
“What gives me away?”
“Your accent.”
He smiled.
“You're American.”
“Yes.”
“Paris suits you.”
Anna smiled.
“I'm glad you think so.”
---
Back at the catering stand, André approached Lizzy with a bouquet of blue-purple irises.
“Good evening. I brought these for your boss.”
Lizzy's face immediately brightened.
“Awww.”
She accepted the flowers.
“She isn't too far away. She went to watch the performances.”
“I hope she won't mind.”
André glanced at the bouquet.
“I thought I'd surprise her.”
“I'm sure she'll love them.”
He smiled.
“Thank you.”
As André walked toward the glasshouse, Emily returned to the stand.
She stopped when she saw the bouquet.
“Wait.”
She looked toward the direction André had gone.
“Was that André?”
Lizzy nodded.
“He just left those for Anna.”
Emily stared at the flowers.
“Oh boy.”
She grabbed her purse.
“I need to find her.”
---
Inside the glasshouse, the music had grown louder.
Julian pulled Anna gently into another turn before bringing her back toward him.
“So,” he murmured, “an American running a literary café in Paris.”
Anna smiled.
“How does that sound?”
“Unexpected.”
“How?”
“You don't exactly seem like someone who follows the ordinary path.”
Anna laughed softly.
“A lot of late nights, endless coffee, and a very persistent team.”
“Impressive.”
He looked at her for a moment.
“I like ambitious women.”
Anna opened her mouth to respond.
Then she noticed someone standing beyond Julian's shoulder.
Her smile disappeared.
André.
He stood at the edge of the dance floor, one hand holding his black coat.
His eyes were fixed on her.
More specifically—
On Julian's hand resting at her waist.
The playful expression Anna had become accustomed to was nowhere on his face.
He looked almost…hurt.
Anna's heart dropped.
Julian noticed the sudden change in her expression.
“Is something wrong?”
Anna swallowed.
“No.”
Then, after a moment:
“Actually…”
She glanced toward André.
“That's André.”
Julian followed her gaze.
“Your friend?”
“My customer.”
Julian smiled.
“Then let's say hello.”
---
They walked over together.
“Hi, André.”
Anna extended her hand.
“How are you?”
André's gaze moved briefly to her hand before he shook it.
“Good.”
Anna smiled awkwardly.
“Julian, this is André. He's one of my most loyal customers.”
Julian extended his hand.
“Pleased to meet you.”
André shook it.
“Likewise.”
A beat of silence passed.
“André, this is Julian. We met tonight.”
She laughed a little too loudly.
“Very recently, actually.”
André's eyes flickered toward her.
“I see.”
Julian smiled politely.
“Anna tells me you visit her bookstore often.”
“Occasionally.”
André's gaze returned to Anna.
“Although I didn't know she was much of a dancer.”
Anna felt her cheeks warm.
“Neither did I.”
Julian chuckled.
“Well, perhaps people like us bring out sides of each other that others don't get to see.”
André's expression tightened.
“Perhaps.”
Anna suddenly felt the tension between them.
“I'll go get us something to drink.”
---
At the drinks table, Anna reached for a glass of sparkling water.
She heard footsteps behind her.
“You look like you're having a successful night.”
Anna turned.
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“We got selected to cater the Saint-Germain Cultural Society's seasonal galas.”
For the first time that evening, something genuine softened André's expression.
“I knew you'd pull it off, Ann.”
Her heart skipped at the nickname.
“That's incredible.”
“Thank you.”
Anna looked down at her glass.
“What brings you here?”
André hesitated.
“I came to congratulate you.”
He paused.
“And I left something for you at the booth.”
Anna's eyebrows lifted.
“flowers?”
He nodded.
“I thought you'd like them.”
“I do.”
She smiled.
“I know they're beautiful.”
André's eyes briefly moved toward Julian.
The warmth in his expression disappeared.
“I didn't realize you came with someone.”
Anna frowned.
“It's not like that.”
“Didn't look that way.”
“André—”
“It's fine.”
He stepped back.
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“André, wait.”
But he had already turned.
He walked away before she could finish.
Anna stared after him.
“Anna!”
Emily's voice cut through the music.
She appeared beside her, breathless.
“There you are!”
Her eyes immediately landed on the empty space where André had disappeared.
“Did André just leave?”
Anna said nothing.
Emily's gaze dropped to her glass.
Then back toward the doorway.
“Lizzy said he left a huge bouquet of irises for you.”
Anna looked down.
A strange ache settled in her chest, as she glanced toward the dance floor. Julian was still there, waiting for her.
Then she looked toward the doorway where André had disappeared.
For the first time that night, Anna wondered if she had just made a mistake.
And she didn't know which man she wanted to run after.
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