"So what do you think?" I ask, scrutinizing Leno's face.

He smiles. "I love it!"

"Ah, I knew you would."

I savor a sip of my own hot chocolate that we just bought at a touristy but charming spot on Rue de Rivoli. The beverage's warmth is pleasant in my hands, even if the weather is not even close to the Budapest's cold we left two days ago. But it's snowing and the light drape of white in the air gives a special texture to the Tuileries' Christmas market.

"So after that, we have to eat a lot of cheese, and churros," I said. "And drink hot wine."

Leno looks at me with affection and grins. "That's it? I'm worried I may starve."

"Well, there's also the nougat, and..."

He lifts his hand in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm convinced."

I then introduce Leno to the magic of bumper cars and I print in my memory the sound of his surprised laugh every time someone else's hit his car.

Back on the Rue de Rivoli, on our way to our hotel, I take Leno's hand. "I'm going to show you something."

I lead him to a famous English-speaking bookshop. "The first time I went here, it was in the middle of the 19th century."

Elegant wooden shelves rise to the high ceiling and show a selection of art books, first, then non-fiction and finally, novels in the back, where an intriguing staircase leads to a mezzanine.

Leno looks around with sparkles in his eyes. "The wood is gorgeous. I'm not surprised you like this place."

I let him browse through some books before pointing my finger toward a specific corner of the library.

"There's a secret here," I say.

Leno leans over and looks at the little tree leaf carved in the wood. He turns his head towards me: "Is it what I think it is?"

I nod with a triumphant grin, and I whisper in his ear. "Magic, yes. There is a hidden shelf here. Like in my library."

"What's in it?"

"I don't know. It's a special place. A sort of free book box for magicians, you know? You can take a book but only if you leave another one. It has been a secret place of exchange for almost two centuries."

"And it's in a shop that is all over bookish social networks? And nobody knows?"

I laugh. "First, how do you know about social networks?"

Leno looks away, sheepishly. "Well, you gave me a phone."

"Fair point. But yes, it must be on hundreds of videos and nobody knows. I find it very funny."

"Did you leave a book there?"

"As a matter of fact, I did. But it was a long time ago."

"So how can we open the secret bookshelf without being seen?"

"The enchantment is more complex than the one in my library. If you know how to open it, it creates an illusion around you, and outsiders continue to see the original one. Only you can see what's behind."

Leno's eyes widen. "That's incredible!"

"I know." I kiss my cute ex-monster on the lips and wink. "I'll show you."