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I stood up and moved over to observe. Beau leaned down and scooped up Claude. “Hey, little buddy,” he said to Claude, as he petted his back.
Not so much as a peep came out of Claude. Impossible. I reached my hands over to Claude and touched him like I was going to pick him up.
He growled. Son-of-a-biscuit. Beau let out a loud laugh, his face erupting into a huge smile. Being that handsome should really be illegal. So should standing this close to all that handsome. “Well, you two have the same dispositions, that’s probably why you’ve bonded so well.” I shot him a forced smile.
Feeling slighted, I picked up Claudette again. “We girls have to stick together, don’t we, baby?” I said in baby talk as I hugged her close.
“Or he just doesn’t like you,” Beau said, causing me to look at him again.
“Children, children, no need for harsh words. You two are on the same side, oui? And I see you were getting along better earlier? In that picture I see everywhere?” Angelique said, a slight smile forming on her lips.
“That was his fault,” I said first, moving closer to Angelique. “He practically dragged me out of the rink.”
Beau talked over me, “She’s impossible. She was accusing me of—things. It was awful.”
Angelique slid her phone out of her pocket, taking her time to enter her password and open it up. Her head titled from side to side as she peered at the screen. “Hmm, I see two beautiful, young people who are very interested in each other.”
My jaw dropped and I gasped, “Absolutely not.”
Beau said, “In her dreams.” Which kind of hit a sore spot because he had been in way too many of my dreams to count. Even as we stood here, I had a few really good scenes running through my mind.
“Hmm, I see. Well, no matter. It is getting us attention for our new teams, oui? So, no harm, no foul,” she said, as she called over her assistant. I was more than a little relieved she wasn’t angry or disappointed about the photo. “Alexandre has your keys and forms for your teams. Please read everything so you are able to answer any questions posed. I believe you’ll soon be given a short briefing by the television hosts.”
Beau set Claude down beside Claudette, who ignored him completely.
“Good luck and enjoy the party,” Angelique said, then drifted passed us.
Alexandre handed us boxes with many large manilla envelopes in them. We thanked him before he followed Angelique out.
“Gigi, look, about that picture—” Beau started to say before I cut him off.
“Get your boys settled, Moreau,” was all I said. Then I marched back to my girls.
“Can we trade apartments?”Anna asked me. I was lying on one of the lounges with my eyes closed. The required amount of introductions and socializing had occurred. Right now I was completely peopled out. All I wanted to do was go back to my fabulous new apartment and chill out.
And sleep.
Everyone else still seemed in the mood to party. Several groups had formed in the courtyard and everyone seemed to be having a great time. A dozen or so people were in the pool and a few in the hot tub.
To me, it looked like there was more than a tiny bit of flirting going on and it honestly stressed me the heck out. I could only imagine what a disaster that could be.
I’d have to hold a meeting with my girls and discuss the rules of living here. During that I’d have to awkwardly address the ramifications of beginning relationships with any of the guys. Yeah, that was not something I was looking forward to.
“Nope you can’t, sorry. It’s in the rules,” I said, looking up at her and Niki.
“Well lots of the guys are switching rooms and Beau told them it wasn’t a problem,” Niki said with a disappointed frown on her face.
I sighed loudly and groaned, “Tell their captain to look on page sixteen. Halfway down the sheet.”
They both spun around and ran off—likely to tattle on the bad boys. Whatever, it was not my problem. The last couple of nights were catching up with me. Big time. I tried not to toss and turn too much and bother Jillian. But it was difficult.
I had so much to think about and do, my brain just wouldn’t shut off. The hotel mattress had not been the greatest, either.
The stress of the day and interacting with Beau was all too much. Learning that the man I’d put on a pedestal for over a decade was really a big, fat jerk bothered me more than it should.
It wasn’t like I thought he and I would be besties or anything. Yes, I had—past tense—had a crush on him most of my life, since I could remember. But Beau was the best of the best. I’d hoped to get some tips from him on how to up my game.
If he fell hopelessly in love with me during the process—it wouldn’t be my fault. Right?
