All The Summers After | TSITP | Sequel

Something Borrowed, Something Paris.

A sales associate approached them, smiling. "Bonjour. How can I assist you today?"

"We're looking for a bag," Lydia said. "For a wedding gift. Something classic. Romantic. Something that will make her cry in a good way."

The associate smiled knowingly. "I think I have just the thing."

They followed her to a display.

Lydia's eyes landed on it almost instantly.

A medium classic flap bag, soft beige leather with gold hardware. Elegant without being loud. Special without screaming for attention.

"That one," Lydia said, pointing.

Conrad studied it. "You sure?"

"Con," she said, her voice gentle now, "she told me once, when we were like... sixteen, that if she ever made it in life, she'd buy herself one of these. She called it her 'grown-up happy bag'."

His expression shifted, something tender passing over his features. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Lydia said softly. "I don't think she thought she'd get to that place this way. But... she is. She's happy. She's choosing herself and him. It feels right that she has it now."

He nodded slowly. "Then it's perfect."

The associate carefully lifted the bag and placed it on the counter for them to examine. Lydia ran her fingers lightly over the leather.

"She's going to die," she murmured.

"In a good way," Conrad replied.

"In the best way."

They watched the bag get wrapped, layered in tissue, placed into a box and then into that iconic black-and-white bag with the camellia flower on the front.

Two bags now.

Two ridiculous, perfect wedding gifts.

"I feel like we just did something irrevocable," Lydia said as they stepped back onto the street again.

"We did," Conrad said. "We committed to being the cool, sentimental older couple who give too-perfect gifts."

"We're not old," she said.

"We bought a Rolex and a Chanel bag as wedding gifts," he replied. "We skipped straight to established."

She laughed, bumping his shoulder. "At least we look good doing it."

"You always do," he said.

"Charm turned up to eleven today, huh?"

"For you? Always."

————

Their last stop was instinct more than plan.

They were passing one of their favourite little corner cafés — all round tables and rattan chairs, a green awning shading the front and potted plants framing the entrance.