Page 143 of Rogue Riders Duet

Luc groans. “Rub it in.”

“You know…” she tells me, “… it’s good for him. Someone to keep him on his toes and challenge him in all aspects of life.”

“Maman!”

She just smiles, innocent as sin. “It’s true! You tend to get a little full of yourself, mon soleil.”

Luc scrubs a hand down his face, grumbling in French, but Élise turns back to me, utterly unfazed. “Where are you from?”

I swallow another bite, amused at the whole exchange. “The States. Snowshoe.”

Her eyes light up. “Oh! That’s where the last race of the season is, isn’t it?”

I nod.

“Maybe when you’re there, your mother could cook a dinner for you and Luc, hmm? Then he could compare, see if I have some competition too.”

I freeze mid-bite, my smile slipping just a little. “Ah… I don’t have a mom.”

Her face falls, warm expression turning apologetic. “I’m so sorry, I…”

I shake my head quickly. “No, it’s all right. She died when I was a baby. I don’t remember her.”

There’s a soft beat of silence.

Élise recovers quickly, her gentle smile returning. “Can your father cook, then?”

From across the table, Dane snorts, making me grin.

“Uh… no. Definitely not.”

Élise’s eyes bounce between us, her smile faltering. “Oh, chéri. I didn’t mean to…” She flutters her hands, flustered. “I keep putting my foot in my mouth tonight, don’t I?”

I wave her off with my fork. “Don’t worry. My family issues aren’t your problem.” I take another bite, groaning again because it’s just that damn good. “This is amazing. Honestly? No one could top this anyway.”

Her smile softens again, and she looks relieved that I let it go. “Luc, he has such good manners.”

Luc snorts. “I don’t give a fuck about manners.”

Élise gasps, slapping a dish towel against his shoulder. “Luc!”

Luc grins, leaning closer to me. “Told you she’d like you.”

I finish the last bite of dinner, wiping my mouth with the cloth napkin, and Dane clears his throat before pushing back slightly from the table.

“I don’t want to be rude, this was amazing, really, so good, thanks again. But it’s getting dark, and like I said…”

Élise waves him off, smiling warmly. “Of course. You know you’re always welcome here. If you want to come back while you’re in town, you just let me know.”

We shuffle out, Luc trailing behind me with his hand lingering at the small of my back. When we pile into the bus, Otis jumps at the chance to drive again, and the rest of us settle around the small table near the middle of the bus.

The engine rumbles to life beneath us as Otis eases the bus out of the driveway, and I sit back, my head resting lightly against the window as the French countryside rolls past.

But I’m not really looking out the window. I’m watching Dane, who smiles when Piper laughs at something he says, her cheeks still pink and hand brushing lightly against his arm as he leans closer.

I can’t remember the last time I saw him this happy and open. It does something to my chest, making it tighten and swell simultaneously. It hurts in a good way, because I’m happy for him. So damn happy. But I feel guilty that I’m the reason he never took time for himself over the last seven years.

Luc’s hand finds my knee under the table, his thumb drawing soft circles there. I glance at him, and he leans in, his breath warm at my ear when he whispers, “They’re falling for each other.”