Chapter 11

The city of Paris hummed softly beneath the golden glow of evening lights, as if it were in on a secret.

Jennie pulled her coat a little tighter around herself, her fingers brushing against the brim of the beret she had insisted on wearing. “Do I look suspicious?” she whispered, peeking over her sunglasses even though the sun had long dipped below the horizon.

Lisa, walking beside her with her hands tucked casually into her coat pockets, let out a quiet laugh. “Nini, you’re wearing sunglasses at night and asking if you look suspicious?”

Jennie huffed, nudging her shoulder. “This is supposed to be a secret date. What if someone recognizes us?”

Lisa leaned closer, lowering her voice playfully. “Then we run. Very dramatically. Like in the movies.”

Jennie tried to hold her serious expression, but it broke almost immediately into a smile. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it,” Lisa shot back, her grin softening into something warmer, something that made Jennie’s heart skip in the most familiar way.

They turned a corner, the quiet street opening up to a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower glowing in the distance. Jennie stopped walking without realizing it, her breath catching.

“Lili…” she whispered.

Lisa followed her gaze, but instead of looking at the tower, she looked at Jennie—the way her eyes sparkled, the way her lips parted slightly in awe. “Yeah?”

“It’s so pretty.”

Lisa tilted her head. “Yeah,” she murmured. “It really is.”

Jennie turned to her, cheeks flushing slightly when she caught Lisa staring. “Hey! I meant the tower.”

“I know,” Lisa said, stepping closer anyway. “But I wasn’t looking at that.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “You’re so cheesy.”

“Only for you.”

For a moment, the world seemed to quiet down around them. The distant chatter of people, the faint hum of passing cars, even the soft rustle of the wind—it all faded into the background.

It was just them.

Jennie reached for Lisa’s hand, threading their fingers together carefully, almost shyly. “We really did it,” she said softly. “A secret date in Paris.”

Lisa squeezed her hand gently. “Worth it?”

Jennie looked up at her, eyes soft and full. “Always.”

They continued walking, slower now, their steps in sync. Lisa led her to a small café tucked away on a quiet street—one of those places that felt like it belonged in a painting.

“Wait,” Jennie whispered as they approached. “How did you find this place?”

Lisa smirked a little. “I did my research.”

“Or,” Jennie narrowed her eyes playfully, “you asked someone.”

Lisa gasped dramatically. “Excuse me, I am perfectly capable of planning a romantic date on my own.”

Jennie laughed, the sound light and warm. “Okay, okay. I believe you.”

Inside, the café was cozy and dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background. They chose a corner table, hidden just enough to keep their little secret safe.

Lisa pulled out Jennie’s chair for her, earning a surprised blink.

“Wow,” Jennie teased as she sat down. “Such a gentleman.”

Lisa bowed slightly. “Anything for my Nini.”

Their drinks arrived—something warm for Jennie, something sweet for Lisa—and they spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing. Old memories, random thoughts, silly jokes that made no sense to anyone else.

At one point, Jennie reached across the table and poked Lisa’s cheek. “You’re smiling a lot.”

Lisa caught her finger gently, holding it. “I’m happy.”

Jennie’s expression softened. “Me too.”

Silence settled between them again, but it wasn’t awkward. It was the kind of silence that felt full—of comfort, of understanding, of love that didn’t need to be said out loud.

When they finally stepped back outside, the night had deepened, the Eiffel Tower sparkling now like a thousand tiny stars.

“Come on,” Lisa said, tugging Jennie’s hand.

“Where are we going now?” Jennie asked, laughing as she followed.

“You’ll see.”

They ended up by the Seine, the water reflecting the city lights in soft ripples. Lisa stopped, turning to face Jennie.

“Okay,” Jennie said, crossing her arms with a playful smile. “What’s the plan?”

Lisa hesitated for just a second, then took both of Jennie’s hands in hers. “Dance with me.”

Jennie blinked. “Here?”

“Why not?”

“There’s no music.”

Lisa leaned in slightly. “We don’t need it.”

Jennie stared at her for a moment, then sighed dramatically. “You’re impossible.”

But she stepped closer anyway.

Lisa placed one hand on Jennie’s waist, the other still holding hers, and started swaying gently. Jennie followed, her free hand resting on Lisa’s shoulder.

They moved slowly, clumsily at first, then more naturally—like they always did when it came to each other.

Jennie rested her head lightly against Lisa’s shoulder. “If anyone sees us…”

“They’ll just think we’re another couple in love in Paris,” Lisa said softly.

Jennie smiled against her. “We are.”

Lisa’s grip tightened just a little. “Yeah. We are.”

For a while, they stayed like that—dancing under the night sky, wrapped in their own little world, far away from everything else.

A secret date.

A quiet moment.

A love that didn’t need an audience.

When they finally pulled away, Jennie looked up at Lisa, her eyes shining. “Best date ever.”

Lisa grinned. “Even better than all the fancy ones?”

Jennie nodded without hesitation. “Because this one is ours.”

Lisa leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Jennie’s forehead. “Then let’s keep it a secret forever.”

Jennie laughed softly, squeezing her hand. “Forever sounds good.”

And somewhere in Paris, beneath the glow of city lights and whispered promises, their secret stayed safe—tucked between heartbeats and quiet smiles, exactly where it belonged.