Without speaking a word in return, the woman pointed at an exit to her left surrounded by car rental service logos.

“Merci beaucoup,” Alex said, abashed.

Before she could move, a deep, silken male voice called out from behind her: “Alex, hey!”

She froze.

“Alex!” Sophie’s voice called just after, already sounding a little more French on this side of the Atlantic. “We’re over here!”

Alex turned around, concentrating on the micro-movements of her face as she took in theirs. “Oh, hi, guys!”

The two of them looked absolutely perfect, all the more so because she knew they didn’t need any airport bathroom triage to improve their appearance. They simply carried the innate swagger of luxury: of getting a full night’s sleep in business class and not having to worry about logistics or timing, because the world would wait for them. Sophie Vautier was, unsurprisingly, in a loose white button-down with expertly worn-in jeans and chic brown loafers, a straw bag with sturdy-looking leather handles on her arm. Her long brown hair was the ideal amount of mussed, and her flawless skin seemed untouched by anything but expensive moisturizer. She looked, in a word, French.

Danial, meanwhile, had put in the more overt effort of a new-money American, in a heavy-looking navy tee and immaculately tailored khakis that came up nearly to his waist, cinched with a buttery-looking leather belt. His black hair was slicked behind his ears, and the elegant angles of his face were only rivaled by the lines of his physique. It was one thing to have studied photos of him online, it was quite another to be confronted in person by just how handsome he had become since college.

She silently instructed herself as she walked toward them: Smile casually, crinkle at the eyes so it feels sincere. Show a bit of teeth, but not too much. Don’t walk too fast. Hug Sophie first, maybe cheek-kiss if she initiates it, then hug Danial like it’s an afterthought.

This is no big deal.

“Ugh,” Sophie let out before they’d even broken from their hug. “That flight was absolute shit.”

It was almost refreshing how little energy Sophie had for ceremony. There was no “oh my god, how have you been?” nonsense. It was straight to complaining.

“Oh, yeah?” Alex concentrated on responding to Sophie as she moved to hug Danial, avoiding his eyes. “Were you guys on the same one?”

“Yeah,” Danial confirmed, reaching to take Alex’s overburdened bag before she could think to stop him.

“Oh, you don’t have to carry my—”

Their fingers brushed, just barely, as he took the bag from her.

“Please, let me be a gentleman.” He flashed a quick, somewhat awkward smile, straightening himself out.