Page 37 of Catching Trouble

Three days had passed since I ran into Maxime by the pool.

He’d made my body thrum with enough electricity to light up the Eiffel Tower. Though I hadn’t exactly thrown myself into his path, I got the distinct impression he was avoiding me.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy. Turns out being a nanny isn’t all about taking medicine and flying kites. Mary Poppins sold me a lie.”

She giggled. “At least you’re practically perfect in every way.”

I closed my eyes. I don’t think Maxime would describe me like that. More completely annoying in every way.

“So, how are things going?”

I swallowed. “They’re fine.”

Iris paused, and something tightened in my chest.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Chlo, I know you. Fine isn’t a word you use. You’re too positive for that. You’d say incredible or amazing, but fine? No way. What’s going on?”

My tummy rolled. Damn best friend intuition. “Nothing.”

“Oh, come on. You sound like you’re about to get a tooth pulled without anaesthesia. Spill.”

I glanced at the faint impression on Maxime’s pillow. Was that the side he slept on? A vision of him lying there, in thepale sunrise, flashed in my mind, sending a burn through my chest. There was no point in hiding my thoughts from Iris. She’d understand. It was just a completely harmless, wildly inappropriate crush on my boss.

“Okay. Things are just a little awkward.”

“Oooh!” she breathed. “Good awkward or bad awkward?”

My cheeks heated. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, I assume we’re talking about Maxime?”

“Yes. We know he can be a bit grumpy. I mean, he’s great to look at, but?—”

Iris cut me off. “Esmé told me.”

I nibbled at my bottom lip. “She did?”

“Yes. She gave me quite a review. I’ve only seen some old photos and heard Luc talking to him on the phone. But now you’ve intrigued me. What does he look like in real life?”

Where to start? “Think King Neptune and Aquaman rolled into one with a set of killer abs.”

She paused. “And this is a problem because?”

I slumped back against the door. “I don’t think he approves of my job performance. In fact, I don’t think he likes me at all.”

“Why not? You’re lovely.”

I let out a breath before moving to Maxime’s bed, sitting on the end. With a frown, I pulled my scrunchie from my ponytail and weaved my fingers through my hair. “He’s always glaring at me.”

Iris chuckled. “Did you ever consider you’re nice to look at?”

“What do you mean?”

“Chlo, you’re beautiful. You have a gorgeous smile and hair I’d kill for. Maybe he’s just admiring you?”