Chapter 29
“ M aya, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” David said impatiently as he walked into the breakroom.
Really? Everywhere?
Where had he looked? Her studio? The changing room? The women’s bathroom? This place wasn’t actually so big that she could hide from him.
Believe her, she’d tried.
“I’ve decided to add additional classes to the schedule.”
She sighed as she put her fork down. Matthieu glanced over at her from where he sat across the small table. They’d brought in leftovers for lunch and she’d really like to eat. Matthieu was an amazing cook.
“What are you eating?” David asked, peering at her food as though he thought it might rise up and eat him.
“Lasagna. Matthieu made it.”
Things were a lot better between them after their chat a few nights ago. She was no longer worried about the near-kiss. It was obvious he hadn’t even noticed that she’d nearly kissed him.
Thank God.
But that could never happen again.
David turned his nose up as though he couldn’t understand anyone eating lasagna. “Well, it smells.”
Lord, he was a dick. “If it makes you that uncomfortable, we’ll go eat outside.”
“That would be appreciated,” David said with a sniff.
“Not happening,” Matthieu rumbled.
Surprise filled her as she turned to him. Normally he was pretty quiet and unobtrusive while she was working.
“It’s safer in here,” he added.
David huffed. “Safer? Nothing has happened! Not a single threat.”
“Yeah, how would you know that?” Matthieu asked.
“Because I asked Maya to keep me updated.”
That was true. She shrugged and nodded at Matthieu. “Even my father hasn’t had any more threats.”
Kind of weird, really.
“You said you were adding more classes,” she prompted David.
“Yes, I’ll put out the new schedule for next week by the end of today. But I’ll need you to take on a couple more classes.”
“I don’t know if I can do that,” she said. Normally, she’d welcome the money. But she didn’t want to spend any more time away from her babies.
“Really? Because I know you’ve wanted to take those puppy yoga classes and I’ve added another one on a Wednesday evening starting next week.”
“Oh, well, yes, I’d be happy to do that.” Millie and Livvy still had plans to follow David after this Saturday’s class. But if they weren't successful then at least she could check the puppies over the following Wednesday.
That was only a week away.
Maya was aware of Matthieu shooting her a look, but she just smiled at David.
“Good, I’ll make the changes.”
“Hey, David, I haven’t seen the bitchy besties lately. Have they created any trouble for you?” she asked.
“Who?” he asked.
“Emily, Regan, and Jeni,” she explained.
“Oh, them.” David waved his hand. “Did I not tell you? They were making noises about suing me. But I heard from a friend who runs in their circle that Emily’s husband apparently received some photos of her in a compromising position with the gardener.
He’s filed for divorce and she is not going to get a penny according to my source.
Regan had been helping to cover for her and her husband isn’t happy since Emily’s husband is his boss.
And Jeni, well, turns out she has sticky fingers.
She was caught shoplifting from this upmarket clothing shop.
She’s in a lot of trouble.” He left the room after dropping that bomb.
Wow. That was all interesting. And kind of bizarre that the three of them should all get into some sort of trouble at the same time.
“You shouldn’t just give into him,” Matthieu rumbled.
“I’m not.”
“You don’t need to be taking extra classes.”
“This one is different, though. I’ve wanted to teach this one for a long time.” She picked up her phone.
“Who are you texting?”
“Livvy and Millie. In case they want to take the class.” It was a slight twist on a lie.
Matthieu didn’t reply so she quickly ate and messaged them.
Maya: AssholeBoss is doing an extra puppy yoga class on Wednesday nights.
Millie: What the dinosaur poop? So he’s just going to work those poor puppies harder?
Maya: He wants me to take the Wednesday classes. So at least I can keep an eye on them.
Livvy: That’s terrible. PuppyWatch is still on for this Saturday, though, right?
Millie: You bet!
It felt so good to have friends like this.
“Shall we take Tank out tomorrow?” Matthieu asked.
She startled and glanced over at him. He’d remembered offering that? She hadn’t been sure that he had so she hadn’t mentioned it again. She didn’t usually have Thursdays off but David had switched things around this week.
“If you want to,” she said quietly.
He raised an eyebrow as he ran his gaze over her. She took a moment to stare at him.
Lord help her.
His sexiness just didn’t fade. In fact, it seemed to increase every day.
“If I want to? What about you, Spitfire? What do you want?”
She licked her dry lips. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had asked her that.
“I want to,” she told him.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
As simple as that?
She waited for more. A negotiation. To hear what he wanted from her. But there was nothing.
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why?”
“Why would you do that for me?” she asked.
Something moved across his face. Something dark that made her shiver before she glanced away. But she wasn’t scared. Because she didn’t get the feeling that he was angry at her.
“Why wouldn’t I do that for you? Why wouldn’t I want you to have what you want?”
“I guess I’m just not used to that.”
“Then get used to it. Come on, it’s time for your next class.”
Later that night, she lay in bed and stared at her phone.
She’d never had friends before. Not ones she could trust. That would have her back.
However, she needed some help. Because she didn’t want to be like this anymore. It was ridiculous.
It wasn’t who she was.
She was spit and fire. Except when he was around. Then she melted like a popsicle in the sun.
Maya: I need some help.
She winced after sending that. They were probably asleep.
Millie: Hit me with it. I’m excellent at helping people. Just ask Reverend Pat. I help him all the time with problems he brings to me.
Livvy: Most of those problems involve you.
Millie: I know, that’s why I’m excellent at solving them.
Maya had to grin. That was Millie. Always overly optimistic.
Livvy: What’s going on, Maya?
Maya: Can you guys keep this between us?
Millie: Cross my heart and hope to get eaten by a T-Rex.
Livvy: We can.
Maya: What would you do if you were . . . intimidated by a guy?
Millie: Intimidated? You mean someone is threatening you?
Maya: No, no. I mean if you couldn’t talk to someone while looking at them because you found them so . . . gorgeous.
Maya winced as she typed those words. What was she doing? Should she really tell them this? It was kind of embarrassing.
Livvy: Ahh, I get it.
Millie: Me too. You get flustered and tongue-tied.
Maya: Yes, that.
Livvy: Around Matthieu?
Yikes. Okay, she should have thought about them asking that question.
Millie: Of course it’s Matthieu. The guy is sex on two legs. Anyone can see that. Does he speak French to you? He never sounds French but he would sound so sexy speaking it.
He spoke French? She had guessed he had a French background given his name, but she hadn’t been sure of how far back that connection went.
She realized she’d asked him very little about his past.
Great.
Maya: Yes, it’s Matthieu. But that doesn’t mean anything. We’re not . . . I mean . . . he’s not into me. I’m a job to him. But it’s embarrassing that I can’t look at him and have my brain function.
Livvy: I get it
Millie: You have to take small bites. Don’t eat the elephant all at once. Snack away at it.
Um. She didn’t want to eat an elephant.
Livvy: What Millie means is that you have to make yourself look at him. But just for small bits. Train your brain to work while looking at him.
Right. That made sense. And in a way it’s what she had kind of been doing. But she could speed up the process.
Maya: Thanks guys. I’ll try it.
Millie: I gotta go. Spike is giving me the stink eye. Night!