“Yeah,” I agree, as I move toward the door.
I grab the keys and open it, glancing back at Katie.
She’s standing by the chair with a dreamy look on her face.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She laughs. “I was wondering what it would be like, that’s all. We should go so Pierre doesn’t get time to miss me too much.”
I hold the door while she exits, following her and locking it behind me.
I slip the key into my pocket as I follow my friend down the corridor to the staircase.
She’s as full of energy as she was on Friday night, practically bouncing along, humming a cheerful song under her breath.
The smile she gives me doesn’t leave my lips as I catch up to her and we walk into the academy’s kitchens together.
“Hey, Pierre,” she sings as she runs her fingers along the counter in passing.
The chef straightens as he closes the oven door, glancing over at us with an unimpressed expression on his handsome face. It’s instantly obvious why Katie likes him.
He’s attractive in a very polished kind of way.
Black hair, blue eyes, tall, and when he speaks, very French.
“Already getting the new girl into bad habits? Really, Katrine.”
“Katrine?” I murmur, making Katie blush.
“It is what you call a pet name,” Pierre explains.
“Nick name,” Katie corrects him, though she clearly enjoys the mistake.
“Non,” he mutters. “Pet name.”
“We’ll be in the laundry room,” she tells him. “We’ll let you know when we need fed.”
He shakes his head. “I will be waiting patiently for your orders, Princess Katrine.”
He glances at me, but he doesn’t say anything.
If their exchange is anything to go by, I don’t think Katie’s crush is one-sided.
I follow her into the laundry room, and she swoons theatrically against the door once she closes it behind us.
“That man is too hot to be real.”
I laugh. “I think he likes you too.”
She laughs. “I seriously doubt it. He’s friendly with everyone.”
“He didn’t even notice me.”
“Well, you’re new. You’ll see. Once you meet more of the girls and guys around here.”
She moves over to the baskets of sheets that are lined up against the wall.
“The night shift clears the rooms of the early risers before they finish up. That’s what we’ve got to get started with this morning.”
