She sucks the inside of her cheek into her mouth. It makes a cute smacking sound when she lets it inflate again. “Longing. Pent-up desire. Love notes. I don’t really know, Zoya.”

“You mean a long-distance relationship?”

“Wouldn’t it be the cruelest thing of all not to try?” She scoots up out of her chair, crouches in front of me and takes my hands in hers. “I know I want to. At least try. I can’t not.”

“I want to as well.” A smile of pure joy spreads on my lips. To just say it after barely wanting to think about it for the past few days is liberating.

“Then let’s do it. We have the Internet. We can talk as if you’re in the next room. And since you’re ahead in time, I can find a sickly-sweet email from you in my inbox every morning.” Camille’s smile equals mine.

“As long as you send me one back every evening…” I chuckle. “I’ll have to find a way to miraculously internalize time zones. That always messes with my head.”

“There are apps for that. There are apps for everything these days.” Camille swallows hard. “Summer in Paris is beautiful. I can’t wait to spend it with you.”

“Okay.” Camille stands and I let her pull me up. “It’s a deal.”

Before she kisses me, she says, “You didn’t think I would get on that plane and disappear from your life forever?”

“I could think it but I couldn’t imagine it.”

Camille presses herself against me.

“You’re not wearing a bra,” I murmur. “We might have to redo the interview.”

“I’m not wearing any underwear either.” She pulls up the dress, takes my hand, and brings it between her legs.

“I guess it’s time for part two of the evening.”

“Interview me on Skype when I’m back in France. It will give us something to talk about.” She pushes my hand so high between her thighs I can feel her wetness. “This is our last night together. Let’s make the most of it.”

Chapter Twelve