I ripped open the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper. It bore a message scrawled in nearly indecipherable handwriting:

Emily,
I had a wonderful time today. I’d like to take you to Versailles tomorrow. If you prefer not to see me, I understand. But if you do, you will make me the happiest man in all of Paris. I’ll be there at ten.
Sebastian.

I held the note to my beating heart. A thousand questions flooded my brain: How did he manage to bring this note here, when I was with him not even ten minutes ago? Who was he, really? And what did he see in me?

“Mademoiselle, Monsieur Mireux also said to give you this.”

The concierge held a red rose in his hand with an impossibly long stem. I took it from him wordlessly and continued up the stairs. When I remembered my manners and turned to thank him, he was already gone.

~

“Mom, there’s only one reason for my behavior: I’m certifiably insane.”

“Oh honey, give yourself more credit. You might be crazy, but you’re not certifiable.”