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“Remind me to never get in a big fight with a friend during a decorating process again, please.”

“He’ll grow on you. I just know it.”

She put her head in her hands and laughed. “Ian, you always continue to surprise me.”

“That’s actually why I wanted to have you over for dinner tonight.”

“To meet Peanut?”

“Not to meet Peanut. You can just consider that a bonus.” Kate rolled her eyes. “No, I’ve actually got a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” asked Kate.

“Well, there’s a little bit of back story to this. So if you can hang tight for a few minutes, there’s a great surprise at the end. I promise.”

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

Ian took a deep breath, put down his fork, and took a long sip of ice water before speaking. “I didn’t tell you what it was that urged me to get back in contact with you. Of course I missed you, but there was actually a specific event that pushed me to drive to Rocky Mount and walk into your store. I went on vacation with my family up to Maine. Just me, my parents, and my sister. Mom and Dad wanted to do one last family vacation before Elizabeth leaves for college and they officially have two adult children. Well, we stayed at this great resort that had tons of activities, and we got to interact with a lot of the other guests. We met some great families and just had a really fun week.”

“Sounds wonderful,” she said.

“Oh, it was. I really enjoyed myself, and it was nice to get away from work for a whole week. But the more we interacted with people, the more lonely I felt. Which I didn’t really understand at first. I mean, most people don’t feel lonely when they’re surrounded by people, right? So I thought about it and one thought kept coming back to my head. The only person I wanted there with me, the only person that could take away that loneliness, was you.”

Kate took a deep breath and was careful not to let her expression change. She had worked so hard to find peace with being a friend to Ian. Was he changing his mind about his feelings for her?

“Look, I know how this sounds, so I want to be perfectly clear. I’m very happy with the way things are now. I love having you in my life, and I want to keep it that way. As friends. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I think we’re really learning how to do this the right way. You’re…okay with us, right?”

Kate took a minute to gather her thoughts before answering that loaded question. My heart no longer aches to be with Ian, she told herself. I’m not trying to make him fall in love with me, nor am I still in love with him. I am a mature woman who can handle this type of close relationship with a male friend. “Yes. I’m definitely okay with us.”

“Good,” said Ian hastily. “I was hoping you would say that, because if you weren’t, I wasn’t going to ask you this next question. Kate, would you go to Paris with me?”

Kate’s mouth fell open.

“Kate?”

“I…um…Paris, Ian? With you?”

“Let me explain. My firm is working on a case for a big company in Paris, and I need to fly out there for a couple of meetings. I know how you’ve always talked about wanting to go to Paris, and I just can’t think of anyone I’d rather have with me than you. What do you think? Will you do it?”

“Paris,” she said with a far-off look in her eyes. “I’ve always wanted to go to Paris…” Snapping out of her trance she entered upon hearing the name of this magical city, she looked Ian squarely in the eyes. “Is this a good idea? Do you think we can handle this?”

“I do,” said Ian. “I’ve thought about it a lot. I really think we’re in a good place. So why can’t two friends go on a trip together?”

So many thoughts and emotions raced through Kate’s head and her heart as she considered Ian’s offer. Of course she wanted to go to Paris, and she knew that Ian would be so much fun to travel with. She could picture the two of them exploring the city together, walking along the Seine, roaming through the halls of museums, and trying all sorts of new cuisines. But wasn’t Paris known as the most romantic city in the world? Was it really smart to put herself in a situation where she might fall back into her old habits with Ian? Was she strong enough to share such an experience with him and still be satisfied with only being friends? Of course I can, she thought. I can do anything I set my mind to. Looking at Ian, she said, “It sounds absolutely amazing, but I can’t afford a trip to Europe.”

“I know you can’t. That’s why I’m paying.” Kate opened her mouth to argue but Ian stopped her rather harshly. “Do not say one word, Katherine. If you agree to go, I’m paying, end of story. Look, my firm is already paying for my plane ticket and hotel and food, so it’s not like I’m paying for a complete vacation for two. And if you’re not with me I won’t have any fun, so whatever a plane ticket and a few meals costs is a small price to pay for your companionship.”

She knew better than to argue with Ian about money once his mind was made up. “Well…I…”

“Come on. Please say yes.”

Taking a deep breath and ignoring the few nagging thoughts that remained, Kate let a huge smile spread across her face. “Yes! Yes, I’ll go to Paris with you!”

~~~~~

“You’re doing
what
?” exclaimed Meredith and Amy simultaneously. Amy often brought the boys to the bookstore on Saturday mornings and let them explore the colorful room containing children’s books while having a cup of coffee with her grandmother to start out the weekend.

“Oh calm down!” exclaimed Kate. “It’s really not that big of a deal. I mean, I’m going to Paris, which is a huge deal, but it’s just two friends going on a trip together. It would be the same as if Brooke and I were going to Paris.”

“False,” said Amy. “It is not even anywhere remotely near the same zip code as being the same.”

“Why?” asked Kate stubbornly. “Why can’t this work? We both know what the expectations are, we both enjoy being around each other, and we want to go do something fun together. Is there anything so wrong with that?”

“Yes,” said Amy. “There is. It’s not going to work, that’s what’s wrong with it. You two have too much history together. There is no way you’re going to be able to be satisfied just being Ian’s friend in Paris of all places!”

“Amy, dear, don’t raise your voice,” said Meredith. “Kate is a grown woman. She knows what she’s getting herself into. Don’t you, Kate?”

Kate looked over at the woman whom she respected so much and saw no judgment or disapproval in her eyes. “I do, Meredith. I’ve had so much time to process my new friendship with Ian and I really believe that it can be a good thing. Good for both of us. I’m not going to get hurt this time.”

“Just as long as you’re ready to deal with the consequences in case anything happens, then I say have an amazing time in Paris.”

Amy looked at her grandmother, exasperated. “That’s a lovely sentiment, but let’s be realistic here. Kate wants a family more than anything in the world.” Kate wrinkled her brow. “Oh don’t pretend it isn’t true. We all know it’s true. And we all want that for you. I see you with my kids and I ask God why is it that I can be so lucky and he keeps ignoring your requests? But you aren’t going to get any closer to having what you want if you go gallivanting in Europe with a man who will never give you what you want, no matter how long you cling to him!”

Kate stepped back as if she had been punched. “How dare you. I am not
clinging
to him. I’m trying to have a healthy friendship!”

“Girls, I’d much prefer you didn’t yell at each other, but if you must, please go outside,” said Meredith.

Kate stormed out the back door and Amy followed her, yelling for Parker and Todd to stay put on her way out the door.

“I don’t enjoy being this harsh with you, but I’m scared for you,” said Amy. “I’m scared that you’re going to miss out on something amazing in your life if you keep playing house with Ian. He broke your heart. He doesn’t love you; he’s said it time and time again. But he loves the comfort and security of having you around. You’re worth more than that, Kate. You deserve someone who is desperate to love you.”

“But we’re just friends! Why can’t you understand that? I’m not missing out on anything.”

Amy lowered her voice and spoke with compassion. “I know you, Kate Henry. I’m sure you’ve convinced yourself that you’re just friends. But you love Ian. You always have. And you’re hanging on, even if it’s subconsciously, to the shred of hope that he might someday realize what an amazing person you are and fall in love with you too.” She moved closer to Kate and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s time to let go of that, friend. God has something better in store for you. I know it.”

“I appreciate that. But you can’t see into my heart. I can do this. I can be Ian’s friend. I am going to Paris with him, and everything is going to be fine.”

“I want to believe you. And I hope you have a wonderful time; I really do. Will you just do me one favor?”

Kate looked at her friend who had always had her best interest at heart and knew she could not say no. “Anything, Ames.”

“Don’t settle for anything less than you know you deserve. I know this probably doesn’t have much impact coming from a person who hasn’t been alone at all in her adult life, but I believe with all of my heart that it’s better to be alone than to be with someone who is not the one. Remember that, will you?”

“I will.”

Amy headed back into the store to collect the boys and Kate sank down onto the ground, not caring if she got her clothes dirty
. I know I can do this
, she thought.
I know Ian will never love me. We can just be close friends, nothing more.

~~~~~

Ian took the packing list that he had printed out at the office that morning up the stairs to his bedroom. Pulling out a big suitcase, he began to meticulously fill it with neatly folded articles of clothing while making sure to mark each item off the list. Six pairs of socks? Check. Enough shirts and ties for his business meetings? Check and check. Shorts, polo shirts, and sneakers? Check, check, check.

As he closed his dresser drawer a little too hard, a picture frame that was perched on the dresser toppled over from the sudden movement. Ian picked up the frame and turned it over in his hand. It was a photograph that some forgotten friend had snapped of him and Kate in college. They were standing in a movie theater that they frequented in college, mimicking a scene on the movie poster behind them. She was looking down at him, pretending to be annoyed, and Ian was down on one knee with his arms outstretched, seemingly begging to be forgiven. He had always loved this picture. He loved the faint smirk on Kate’s aloof face. He loved that not only would she spontaneously decide to become a real-life recreation of a poster, but that he jumped right in with no hesitation. She always brought out the fun in him. The best in him, really.

He was glad that Kate had accepted his offer to take her to Paris. Going alone just wouldn’t be any fun, and he wanted her with him. End of story. And now that their friendship was ironed out, they could have fun together without any issues. Any drama. Everything was just how he wanted it, and he was so thankful that she was mature enough to understand the kind of relationship he wanted with her.

Ian heard a knock on the door and snapped out of his trance staring at the picture. Placing the frame facedown on his bed, he quickly descended the stairs and swung his door open.

“Ian, we need to talk to you.” Amy was standing there with her husband by her side.

Caught off guard, Ian looked sideways at the Baileys. “Sure…” he said, slowly backing away from the door and motioning for the couple to come inside. As they all sat down in the living room, Ian in the leather chair and Rick and Amy on the couch, Ian suddenly looked worried. “Wait, is it Kate? Is she okay? Is anything wrong?”

“Kate’s fine, man,” said Rick. “Nothing to worry about.”