Sierra paced. If Jonas kept his cool when she prepared to go out with Vincent, she could not pretend anything. At least she maintained her behavior in her bedroom.

Jonas acted as usual after working on her chair in the basement. He came up and showered. Sierra noted the man took his time. The woman understood why the shower lasted when she finally came out of her bedroom, reeled by the smell of his perfume.

"Jonas."

Sierra found herself confronted by Jonas's naked back and tattoo as he ironed his shirt.

She observed the nip of his neck and hair. He cut off all the hair he grew over his stay. He also shaved. The man took the date seriously "eh, what time did you say you were meeting May again?

"8:30."

"You know it's early to have plenty of time. May is always at least five minutes late."

"I prefer to be at least ten minutes early. Besides, I'm not sure to find the place."

Too seriously.

May gave him a Rendez-Vous at Bercy village, a village of restaurants and shops within the Bercy area known for its colossal concert hall and gigantic shopping mall Bercy 2. What bothered Sierra about the meeting point was its proximity with May's apartment, which was at a two-minute walking distance.

Though May was the one to have stayed single the longest, she was also the one to have culminated the most sultry affairs. A female player, May was not one to pity for her years as a single was a choice. Age and a few social pressures were the only reasons motivating May's sudden wish to settle down. Of course, seeing her beasties with their men in shining armor contributed as well.

The woman found herself wanting to argue for the remote controls, tooth brushing side by side, double dates, and the whole shebang that accompanied couple status.

May wanted this and began to dream of the comfortable situation of having sex regularly and not the match waiting game Tinder offered.

Yes, May believed she could offer herself such a deal after graduating and finding satisfaction in her career and social status.

And who knew perhaps she could even get a baby popping before her thirtieth birthday.

Though friend's, Sierra was unaware of May's new ambitions, only seeing her friend as the master of seduction. She worried Jonas would be another number in her friend's directory. Still, Sierra could not bring herself to warn the man of the possible ploy.

If Jonas had to learn something about May, he would have to live the experience and figure things out himself.

Despite all the fears Sierra had, she remained the woman who would not criticize and rinse her friend's laundry for her benefit.

Jonas fitted his shirt and turned to face Sierra, "how do I look?"

The man was genuinely happy to go out. Jonas enjoyed spending time with Sierra, but since Vincent's return, the man felt like an outcast.

Vincent made sure to fill up every time slot Sierra had on her timetable. Even their weekly scrabble night got canceled for dates, or it became a party for three where Vincent flaunted his excellent knowledge of French vocabulary.

"You look,ㅡ. "Sierra started from his feet and worked her gaze up Jonas's silhouette, "you're perfect."

Jonas smiled, "thank you."

The woman meant it Jonas was a handsome man. No matter from what angle one looked, but he had more qualities than the average man.

Leone already slept. They were alone, and silence spread.

"Sierra, you know Iㅡ."

"Enjoy yourself, Jonas."

Sierra's auto defense mechanism was unstoppable.

"May is a fun girl. You haven't done anything for yourself since you got here. You've been carrying the household," a weak smile appeared on Sierra's face, "you've been carrying me. I wouldn't have survived these months with Leone without you. You deserve a break. It's good to think of yourself sometimes."

Sierra acknowledged how much the man did for her. There, in her living, Sierra realized how Jonas's presence changed her life.

They were in April in four weeks Jonas's would leave. There was no better moment for Sierra to begin to let go.

"Sierra, being with Leone and you, it isn't a chore for me."

"I know Jonas, it's justㅡ," Sierra approached. She stretched her hand, which was about to grab his shirt collar to straighten it, and she stopped as she remembered what she had to do.

"I want you to be happy, Jonas. You deserve happiness."

"Sierra, my happiness lies with Leone anㅡ."

"Oh gosh, I better get working on my reports, time is ticking. Have a good night Jonas," Sierra turned and dashed away so fast her feet were mirage like a Looney-Tune cartoon character.

The woman opened and shut the doors of conversations doorman style. She left no space for Jonas to express himself, and the man could not impose himself upon her.

Sierra made her choice. She had four weeks to prepare herself mentally and psychically for his departure.

Jonas had his life in Sweden; she couldn't hold him back.

Love sometimes meant letting go. Like Cecile, Sierra preferred to free the man, not with harsh words but with the course she chose for her life by allowing Vincent back into it.

Jonas grabbed his coat and left. He took the D railway line to Chatelet and commuted to the line 14 metro to Bercy.

He was ten minutes in advance, yet May already waited at the station's entrance when he arrived.

"Hi, Jonas."

The man leaned as they exchanged the mandatory greeting kisses.

"You're early."

"So are you," Mary said as she scanned Jonas's appearance while thanking the universe for the moment, she was about to spend with the man. The woman didn't mind seeming eager since she was.

They had met a couple of times which made things easier.

"Have you ever been here before?"

"No, it's a first, actually," Jonas replied as they began to walk. A few minutes later, they arrived at the village.

"Wow," Jonas said as they passed the village's portal.

"It's a faux-french village explained May, "they transformed the 19th-century warehouses into stores and restaurants. Since you love architecture, I thought it could interest you."

"Totally, it's so cute. No one can suspect there's a place like this within Paris."

May smiled, glad to mark some points.

"So, where do you want to eat? Sierra told me you love culinary experiences."

"She told you."

"Yes, so what do you want to eat? The village offers many options."

"Eh, what's your favorite restaurant?" Jonas asked for a more straightforward solution.

"Chai 33."

"Then let's eat there."

"Are you sure? Don't be lured by the restaurant's name. It's French cuisine."

"Okay, no worries. I never get enough of it."

They walked through the street.

"The ambiance is particular here. It's like walking through Disney. All the elements look like props, yet they are real."

May nodded, "you'll forget in few minutes. There's another place in Ile de France that gives off this feeling."

"Really?"

"Yes, you have the shop high street of la Valley village."

"I'd love to see it."

"Perhaps we can go next time."

Both creators, anything artsy or conceptional interested, Jonas found an attentive and keen ear.

They entered the restaurant, "oh, I love this," Jonas said with enthusiast.

The man was impressed by the sensation one had when they entered Chai 33. The entrance was as small as a rabbit hole gave into a vast space.

May gained another point. The web designer knew what made the man tick, and she hoped to dazzle.

Mr. Postivity also looked forward to the evening that promised to be a pleasant one.