‘Like when?’ He cocks his cocksure head.
‘Like when you suggested our industrial skip go right down the back and around the corner when you did no such thing.’
‘I got permission from the previous hotelier to put mine out the front; that’s the difference.’
‘Oh? So if I’d asked your permission you’d have agreed it could stay just like yours did?’
He mumbles under his breath.
I put a hand to my ear. ‘Sorry, I can’t hear you.’
Manon’s head looks like it’s on a swivel going back and forth from me to Noah. She’s got a triumphant grin in place like she’s enjoying every quip being flung back and forth.
Noah blushes. ‘Truthfully?’
‘No, why don’t youlie, Noah? Like all men do!’ I fight the urge to stamp my foot. This guy frustrates the hell out of me.
‘Not all men lie.’ He pushes his hands into his jeans pockets while I shoot him a galactic-force glare that is so fierce I’m sure it’s going to melt the skin off his bones. ‘Fine,truthfully, I’d still have suggested the location out the back for the benefit of all interested parties.’
Point, Anais! ‘And yet, it was different for you.’
‘We’ve covered this.’
‘And still you stubbornly refuse to play fair. It says a lot about your character, Noah.’
‘Hardly.’
‘Oui, it does. Rules for everyone except you!’ And with that, I spin on my heel and dash inside, determined for once to have the last word. My heart thunders and I can’t help feeling a little thrill that I won that battle!
Just as I’m feeling on top of the world, taking down one arrogant man at a time, Manon reappears. ‘Are you going to help bring the Christmas shopping inside? There’s a Nutcracker with your name on it.’
‘Hashegone?’
‘Where do you want them?’ Noah asks, hoisting the two Nutcrackers under each arm.
Mon Dieu.I shoot Manon a glare, which she grins at. ‘Oh, anywhere.’
Noah deposits them by the entrance and turns to me. ‘One more thing, Anais…’
‘Non, merci.I don’t need any more of your advice, Noah.’
He holds up his hands. ‘OK, then I won’t tell you that you left your car running.’ I slap my forehead as he takes the keys from his pocket and hands them over. ‘I hope I’m not beingtoopresumptuous by turning it off and locking it for you. Don’t want to overstep.’
I roll my eyes and get ready for Round Two when Manon says, ‘Knock it off for the sake ofles enfants.’
‘Who areles enfants?’
‘I am! I’m your younger cousin who didn’t come here to referee each and every argument. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama as much as the next person, but not at the rate you two are going. Just kiss already.’
Kiss!That will never happen! Duly chastised, I hang my head like a recalcitrant child. ‘Drink?’ I ask Noah. That’s as far as I’ll go with any conciliatory efforts to make peace.
‘Sure.’
Manon takes the car keys from me. ‘Allow me to get the rest of the Christmas decorations while you pour thelait de poule.’
‘Chicken milk?’ Noah queries the translation in English. ‘I’ve never tried that before…’ He wrinkles his nose as if dubious why anyone would drink chicken milk.
‘It’s eggnog; there’s no chickens involved.’ Even though he’s proficient in French, I suppose there are always strange phrases that when translated literally make no sense.
