She sent me a deceptively innocent smile. “And I supposethat,” she paused, like she was selecting her words, “woman is Sophie’s nanny?”
On cue, Chloe inched into the kitchen from the pool area. She’d brushed her hair back and tied it close to her nape in a ponytail. She wore her pink dress from last night with no makeup and no smile.
Chloe almost always had a grin on her face—not today. A swallow snagged in my throat. Was she trying to look sensible? For Valerie? To look more acceptable? If that were true, no matter how grateful I may have been, I hated she felt the need to do it.
After fixing Chloe with an acidic stare, Valerie turned to me, talking in French. I held up my hand. “Please stop. You requested an English-speaking nanny. You have one. So, I’m requesting you use English, too. When the conversation involves her, it’s only fair.”
Valerie scoffed, but in response, Sophie toed at her chair leg. “Maman, Papa’s right. It’s rude.”
Valerie’s jaw tightened, and I moved behind Sophie, gently placing a hand on her back.
Chloe hovered in the doorway, like she was facing an inquisition. I thought back to her blindfold comment. If this was going to be a firing squad, Sophie shouldn’t be here.
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Why don’t you take Bean and go to your room for a bit, chérie? Just until we’ve finished talking.”
She let out an enormous sigh before standing. Then, after sending an eye roll to the entire room, filed out with Bean in her arms. On her way, she stopped in front of Chloe and reached out to offer her the kitten. “You can take him if you like. He’s good at cuddles.”
Chloe smiled. “You keep him. He prefers you. Besides, you have superior tickle powers.”
Sophie nodded, and ignoring her mother, left the room.
Once she’d gone, Chloe moved to take Sophie’s seat. Valerie turned to face her, lips pulled taut.
My skin prickled.
“So,thisis your nanny? She’s pretty. I suppose I should be grateful for her arrival in the room. That cat was making my nose itch.”
A burn flared in my chest. Valerie always noticed what inconvenienced her—never what mattered to Sophie. “That cat, as you call it, has delighted our daughter. He’s given her something to focus on other than the amount of schoolwork you left her with. She’s here on holiday, Valerie.”
She flicked of her eyebrows. “I’m aware of that. But you seem to forget that aside from cats and a parent who can’t keep his hands to himself, children need more than fun. They need guidance, too.”
I opened my mouth to retaliate, but she cut over the top of me.
“And do you thinkguidanceis what the two of you are providing right now?” She took a breath. “You think this,” shewaved vaguely between Chloe and me, “this is an example of what a child needs?”
Again, I took a breath, but Chloe shifted in her chair and lifted her chin. “Actually, yes, I’d say we’re doing something right. Your daughter is thriving. She’s kind, she’s funny, she’s compassionate—and she’shappy. Whatever guidance Maxime’s giving her is doing a better job than you’re giving him credit for.”
Valerie huffed a breath through her nostrils. “Please. He’s hardly around. And since I’m her mother, I’d ask that you address me with some respect.”
Chloe’s eyes flicked to me, and I gave a slight tilt of my head.Even if Valerie’s words brought a simmer to my chest, I didn’t want to undermine any goodwill I had left with her. If being pleasant would safeguard my time with Sophie, it was a pill I was prepared to swallow, for now.
I shifted, leaning against the counter. “Chloe’s been more than a nanny to Sophie. She’s been a friend. A role model. She’s brought life into this house. She may have unusual methods, but I’ve seen what they’ve done for Sophie.”
Valerie raised her eyebrows to the heavens. “Her methods? You’re obviously the expert where those are concerned. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I can only imagine the silliness my daughter has endured.”
I bit down on harsh words. Instead, I gave Valerie a tight smile. “There’s nothing wrong with a little silliness. Maybe that’s just what she needs. Maybe that’s what every child needs.”
Valerie slowly shook her head. She took her bag from the counter and pulled out her phone. “Is this the silliness she needs, Maxime?”
Valerie opened her phone, swiping and tapping, until finally holding up the screen. I tightened my eyes into the light. It was a picture of Chloe. Her face was alive with a smile. Shelooked absolutely beautiful in her pink bikini and chef’s hat. She held a milk jug in one hand while giving a chef’s kiss with the other. Based on the background, someone had taken the photograph by the coffee machine in the club.
I turned to Chloe. “Who took this?”
Her face turned bright crimson, but she didn’t speak.
Valerie chuckled dryly. “I’d say the photographer knows her well. After what I just witnessed outside, I’m half surprised it wasn’t you.”
With a glare, I took the phone from Valerie, examining the picture. I recognised the outfit. Chloe had worn it the first few times she made coffee. And she’d definitely posed for the shot. It was too tidy; too put together. I focused into the glare on the screen and something caught my eye. A reflection in the chrome of the coffee machine. Black hair, red lips. Fifi. My gut shifted.
