I scan the stalls for glass objects, just out of curiosity… well, and to see which studio they come from. Theo buys some funky pastry from a food stand.
“We make exactly the same back home.” He lifts it to my lips. “Tell me what you think.”
I take a bite and chew slowly. “It tastes like a brioche… a little spongier perhaps.”
“We call thembrioches de Marie, but here in Savoie they’re apparently called ‘brioche de Saint Genix.”
I squint. “Which part of Monaco are you from? I’ve only been to Monte Carlo once.”
“The best part,” he says, his tone suddenly less playful.
As if reminded of something, he whips out his phone and makes a call. Judging by the brief exchange, it’s to someone from the rescue team looking for Darrel and Jordan. They haven’t found them yet, but there’s still a lot of terrain to cover.
“Get more helicopters, and keep me updated,” Theo says before hanging up.
He eats some of the brioche, then looks at me. “Another bite?”
I let him feed me a fragrant, soft morsel that melts on my tongue. He takes another bite and offers me the last piece. At once I open my mouth and close my eyes. His fingertips brush my lips, sending an excited shiver through my entire body. Swallowing, I open my eyes and catch him licking his fingers.
“I really like this pastry,” he says.
We continue down the street, enjoying the atmosphere of the village. I’m having fun, and I believe he is, too, because the deep crease between his eyes is gone. I can’t help thinking about last night, and if it meant anything to him.
Why did he book us separate rooms? Why wouldn’t he want to pick up where we left off last night? He was willing to tell me. He’ll tell me now, if I ask. But I don’t ask—too chicken. Once he’s said it aloud—and I’m pretty sure it has something to do his involvement with another woman—I won’t be able to act like I didn’t now.
God, I am so ashamed of myself!
This isn’t like me at all. What’s going on? Why am I acting so weird? What is that strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that’s been growing and growing since last night? Why did my heartbeat go crazy when he stepped closer and offered me a piece of brioche?
We reach the section of the street with the tents housing the attractions. The first one is a hall of mirrors. Laughter and excited shrieks rise from it, distracting me from my thoughts.
At the entrance, I pause in front of the first mirror. A distorted cartoon character with a huge forehead, bulging eyes and nonexistent chin stares back at me.
“Beurk, I look hideous!” Giggling, I turn to Theo.
His jaw tense, he marches on with a determined stride.
Well done, Elise, congrats!You win the award for Miss Tactless.
I catch up with him, wondering if an apology will only make things worse, when he stops in his tracks and spins around. “What do you see when you look at me?”
“An attractive man.” I hold his gaze. “You have a great body. Tall, nicely shaped, muscled. You smell yummy. In short, you’re hot.”
“What about my face?
“Your surviving eye is very blue… It’s like a tiny mountain lake in the middle of rough terrain.”
He stares at me. “Was that a poetic compliment or a hiking analogy?
“Both.”
“What about the rest of my face?” he insists. “How would you describe it?”
I can’t believe he’s asking me these questions!
What happened to the self-assured, impenetrable man? I’m sure he’ll be back in no time. But right now, Theo is opening up about his insecurity and letting me see the cracks in his armor.
It’s a gift. But it’s a poisoned one. It’s a kind of secret you share with a stranger on the train, or with a lover you just friendzoned for all eternity.
