Page 113 of Papa's Bébé


Font Size:

“Yeah, I know,” he said mournfully. “That car was a classic.”

“But were the boys okay?”

“That’s all anyone cares about. Those two demons. They’re indestructible. No doubt they’ll outlive us all. If they haven’t destroyed the world by the time they’re thirty.”

She grinned at his description of the boys, thinking that he was joking.

But he didn’t smile.

Right. He was serious?

“They’re just kids, though, right?”

“They’re in college now. And they’re not just kids. They are evil masterminds.”

“But didn’t they give you these socks?”

“Yes, the implication being that I am like Oscar the Grouch.”

Oh. That was funny. But not really the truth. “I don’t think you’re a grouch.”

He glanced up at her with one eyebrow raised.

“Although you do look kind of grouchy right now,” she said as she lowered her gaze to her knees.

She didn’t like him being mad with her.

Matthieu grunted. “I’m not grouchy. I’m upset.”

“With me?” She didn’t like that either. “You’re upset because I left the house?”

“It is my job to protect you, Maya. I take it very seriously. I like you. I do not want anything to happen to you.”

“You like me?” she asked.

“Of course I do,” he replied. “Why wouldn’t I like you?”

He’s just saying it as a friend. Don’t get all excited.

Besides, he barely knows you. Plenty of time for him to find out a bunch of things that he dislikes about you.

Wow.

That was a really cheery thought.

“I’m here to take care of you. That is my job. And I cannot do that if you break the rules. That just makes my job harder and it puts you at risk. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, I understand. I won’t do it again.”

“Why do I not believe that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’re just an untrusting person.” She was still upset with herself. Why had she run off like that? It had been stupid. She’d just gotten an idea in her head and she’d run with it.

And now look at her. She was being scolded like a child by her crush.

No, no, I do not have a crush on this man!

Urgh. She was in real trouble here. She could not let on how she felt about him.