An offer of assistance

"Excuse me miss, you look lost. May I help you?"

Aurelie looked up from her map and guidebook to see a smiling man about her own age. He was dressed in fashionably casual clothes, and she noticed an expensive watch on his wrist. She smiled back at him, shrugging.

"I'm trying to decide where to go," she said. "My first day in town and I'm just exploring."

"You're French," he said with a grin. "From Quebec?"

"No, from France. I came with my boss on business."

"Let me welcome you to Vancouver then," he said with a charming smile as he held out a hand. "I'm Neil."

"Aurelie," she replied with a shy grin, giving him her hand.

"Allow me to say you have a charming accent. I don't speak much French at all, but you make English sound incredible." She blushed deeply, embarrassed by the compliment and her natural shyness around men. "If it's not too bold, might I invite you to join me for a bite to eat? I was just on my way and I'd be delighted to have such a charming companion. And I could offer advice about where you might go next?"

Aurelie blushed and smiled shyly, suddenly realising he hadn't let go of her hand. She didn't know how to answer this charming man, and her mind and mouth struggled to work together.