Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) Annette Anders (shoe dog free ebook TXT) 📖

with a lot to digest. I need some time to think. What about you two?”

“I’d like to spend a little more time with Alexander and catch up, but I won’t be too late. Why don’t I see you at the hotel, maybe in two hours or so?” Julia said. “We’ll stay here and take care of the bill.”

“Okay, thanks. We’ll square up later,” Naomi said.

Stella had often glanced at David while they were at the bistro, and he in return watched her. But they didn’t have a chance to talk.

David’s hand inched toward hers but stopped halfway. “Give me an hour or two with you. I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”

A walk sounded good. It meant spending time together without being completely alone with him. “Okay,” she agreed.

David stood and looked at everyone at the table. “Please, let me settle the bill on my way out. No arguments!”

Alexander nodded, “Thank you.”

Stella met Naomi’s eyes and said, “I’ll meet you at the hotel, okay?”

Naomi looked from David to Stella and said, “Be careful!”

CHAPTER 26

Stella—July 2018

“T

hank you for walking with me, Stella,” David said after they left the bistro and strolled back through the same streets as earlier. “You have no idea what it means for me to see you in person.”

Yeah, I think I do, she thought, but didn’t say anything. She wasn’t ready to bring up their personal issues.

They passed the American Embassy and continued in the direction of the Tuileries Garden.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in this park in the past few days.” David said, and shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.

“It’s a beautiful park,” Stella said. “And so many people are still out for a walk or letting their children run off some energy. I wouldn’t want to live in a city the size of Paris, but if I had no choice, I’d like to be near a park. The way your apartment in Chicago is so close to Grant Park.”

“I often think back to going there with you and sitting at Buckingham Fountain,” David said. He ran a hand over his head. “Stella, listen, I don’t know where to start, but there’s so much I have to say to you.”

Did he just say he thought about her? “We need to talk, there’s no doubt, but not now. Not here.”

She felt David’s hand close to hers and pulled away, reaching for her purse strap, although it didn’t need adjusting. What if she took his hand? Would it be like holding out the proverbial olive branch?

“How long are you staying in Paris?” she asked.

“I go back to London on Saturday.”

“London, wow. Aren’t you needed there now? No performances?”

“My understudies fill in for me. You know I rarely use them, but this is—you are—more important than the show.”

“What production are you in?” she asked, his last words still ringing in her ears.

“You’ll laugh—the Phantom.”

“Why should I laugh? The musical is still such a huge worldwide success after more than thirty years, it’s amazing,” Stella said. “What were you doing here in Paris?”

“I auditioned for Don Giovanni. When you saw me at the Opera House, Aaron and I had just been on a tour of the theater. Auditions were on Monday and Tuesday.”

“Did you get the role?”

“Yes. I signed the papers yesterday to sing here in the spring,” he said.

“How wonderful for you. Congratulations.” Stella smiled and stopped walking. She was happy for him and his successes. “I remember you telling me once how it can be difficult for Americans to get contracts in Europe, and you’ve been here for eighteen months now. You made it!”

He winced. “Thank you…” She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.

“Are you looking forward to performing in Paris?” She asked while she followed him to a bench.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it, but...”

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “David, are you happy?”

He sighed deeply and patted the bench next to him, inviting her to sit, which she did. “It’s a question I’ve asked myself very often. One I don’t have an answer for, to be honest.”

Stella regretted asking him. She shouldn’t care whether he was happy or not, and she didn’t want to feel sorry for him.

“How are your parents doing? How’s Sabrina?” She hoped it was safer territory to ask about his family.

“They’re doing well, thank you for asking.”

Stella folded her hands in her lap. Their conversation seemed so…stilted and superficial, and it pained her.

Is this what’s left of us?

David leaned back and linked his hands behind his head, then sat up again and rested his forearms on his knees. “Dad’s still with United, but says he wouldn’t mind a golden handshake. Mom has cut down on her teaching at the High School for the Arts. She wants them to travel more while they’re still healthy.”

“Oh, my. Can you imagine your parents being around each other all the time?” Stella liked them both, but couldn’t picture them in retirement.

“No. I see Dad signing up for adult history classes at some college in Chicago, and Mom accepting a volunteer job somewhere teaching little kids early dance steps. And Mom’s also dropping hints about grandbabies, in general aimed at Sabrina. She’s telling her not to wait till they’re too old and weak to hold a baby.”

Stella laughed, “Old and weak is not how I see them anytime soon. Does Sabrina have a serious boyfriend now?”

“From what I hear, she’s still in her on again-off again relationship with Kyle. She threatened Mom and Dad that she wouldn’t come home anymore if they don’t stop the emotional blackmail. I have a feeling she’s putting on a show, and would like a commitment from Kyle, but I’m staying out of it.”

David turned to look at her. “What about your parents and Luca? What are they up to?”

“They’re doing fine. Dad still teaches Math at UPenn, and Mom still works for Innovative Rehab. Luca doesn’t have a lot of time to come home and visit, and