Page 58 of A Bossy Roommate
Carter does as he’s told. “Hello, Auntie.” He gathers her into his broad arms. “You look younger each time I see you.”
“Oh, Carter Donovan, did I not teach you not to lie to your aunt? But thank you, you are not wrong.” Chuckling, she pats hisarm before her face turns toward the car and she catches sight of me. “Is that Eden? What are you doing sitting in that fancy car? Come on out here and give your aunt a big hug!”
She doesn’t need to tell me twice. Swept up in her warmth and pageantry, I jump out of the BMW and let her pull me into a hug. Her wiry frame is stronger than she looks, and she hugs me so tight it almost cuts off my breathing.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Toussaint,” I say, hugging her back.
She scoffs. “Nonono. What is with the formality? We are family, dear, are we not? You will call me ‘Auntie.’ Yes, I insist you do!”
“Okay, Auntie.”
She draws back from the hug and takes my face between her boney hands. She leans back in and lightly kisses each of my cheeks, starting with my left one. Carter has already explained that it’s a social custom in France that has been around for centuries and is deeply ingrained in French culture. In the same breath, he’d also cautioned me about his aunt’s “French,” the delightful outcome of her “Franglais” escapades, to the extent that even the Eiffel Tower might arch an eyebrow. According to Carter, she believes that adding a French word to everything she says makes ittrès chic(which, honestly, I find so endearing!).
“Oh,mon Dieu! So beautiful! Carter, you lucky man.”
I grin over at him. “You hear that,babe, you lucky man?” It’s both odd and awesome to call him babe. He plays along perfectly, doesn’t even bat an eye, as if he’s used to me calling him that.
“So lucky.” He pulls his aunt into another hug. “Why don’t you get into the car, and I’ll go get your bags.”
“Oh, I already had some help from a handsome young man.Où est-il? Ah! There he is! Jack!” A security guard steps out of the airport with a cart full of luggage. Aunt Eleanor steps upto him and pats his arm. “Merci. Such a helpful young man. Handsome, too. Here, this is for you.”
I watch her take a roll of cash out of her fluffy coat and slip it into the small pocket on the front of his uniform shirt. His cheeks turn red. “Oh, no thank you, ma’am. I can’t accept this.”
“Absurdité! Iknowthey do not pay you nearly enough for all you do. Hush now. Accept the tip and buy yourself something nice.” She motions for Carter to take the cart before turning back to me. “Do an old lady a favor and help her into the back seat.”
“Oh, you can have the front,” I offer immediately, motioning to the open door. “I insist.”
“Such a sweet girl.”
I help Eleanor into the front seat while Carter loads her six bags into the trunk. We catch each other’s eye, and I don’t need words to know we’re wondering the same thing. If she’s only staying for the weekend, why does she have so much luggage? That has to be a typical French thing. Aren’t French women famous for always looking immaculate? I know she’s American by birth, but living in France has clearly rubbed off on her.
Once she’s settled, I close the passenger-side door and climb into the back seat. Carter finishes loading her bags and gives the luggage cart back to Jack. He accepts it with a nod and waves goodbye to Eleanor, who gives him a warm smile and a wave back.
“You must be exhausted,” Carter says as soon as he starts the car. “We’ll get you home and you can take a long nap.”
Eleanor waves a dismissive hand. “I slept enough on the plane. Besides, I am not going to miss a moment getting to know my nephew’s beautiful new bride.”
Carter doesn’t get a chance to pull out of his parking space. His phone starts to ring. He gives us an apologetic look as he answers it. “Bradley, you know I’m not available today. This better be an emergency.”
I can’t hear what Bradley says, but by the look on Carter’s face, I can tell it’s not good. He glances over at his aunt, who’s staring at him with her intense blue eyes. “Uh-huh. Yeah, all right. Thanks.”
He hangs up, but before he can say anything, his aunt says, “Well, that did not last long.”
“I’m so sorry, I really am.” Carter puts the phone in the cup holder. “There’s an emergency at the office. They need me.”
“Can’t someoneelsehandle it, babe?” I ask, emphasizing the word so he knows exactly how I feel about him trying to bail.
“Save your breath,ma chère.” Eleanor interjects with a wave of her jeweled hand. “Carter and his work are joined at the hip.”
“I can’t apologize enough.” Carter pulls out of the parking lot. “I swear I’ll only be gone for an hour, tops.”
“Yes, yes, I have heard it before.” Eleanor smiles and reaches into her handbag to pull out her hand mirror and check on her eyebrows. “Do not worry, Cartie. We will be fine. In fact, it will give me and Eden a little one-on-one time.”
Now, I’m a pretty positive person and know I can handle myself. But the thought of being alone with Carter’s elderly aunt when she’s in poor health and believes we’re married and that her nephew is deeply in love has me more than a little nervous.
Carter gives me “You got this, right?” eyes.
I offer a subtle nod.