Book 1 - Page 15 (1/2)
”Elliot's in construction, and my little sister is in Paris, studying cookery under some renowned French chef.” His eyes cloud with irritation. He doesn't want to talk about his family or himself.
”I hear Paris is lovely,” I murmur. Why doesn't he want to talk about his familyIs it because he's adopted?
”It's beautiful. Have you been?” he asks, his irritation forgotten.
”I've never left mainland USA.” So now we're back to ba.n.a.lities. What is he hiding?
”Would you like to go?”
”To Paris?” I squeak. This has thrown me - who wouldn't want to go to Paris”Of course,” I concede. ”But it's England that I'd really like to visit.”
He c.o.c.ks his head to one side, running his index finger across his lower lip... oh my.
”Because?”
I blink rapidly. Concentrate, Steele.
”It's the home of Shakespeare, Austen, the Brontsisters, Thomas Hardy. I'd like to see the places that inspired those people to write such wonderful books.”
All this talk of literary greats reminds me that I should be studying. I glance at my watch.
”I'd better go. I have to study.”
”For your exams?”
”Yes. They start Tuesday.”
”Where's Miss Kavanagh's car?”
”In the hotel parking lot.”
”I'll walk you back.”
”Thank you for the tea, Mr. Grey.”
He smiles his odd I've got a whopping big secret smile.
”You're welcome, Anastasia. It's my pleasure. Come,” he commands, and holds his hand out to me. I take it, bemused, and follow him out of the coffee shop.
We stroll back to the hotel, and I'd like to say it's in companionable silence. He at least looks his usual calm, collected self. As for me, I'm desperately trying to gauge how our little coffee morning has gone. I feel like I've been interviewed for a position, but I'm not sure what it is.
”Do you always wear jeans?” he asks out of the blue.