Page 36 of My French Love Affair

“Well…” I wave a hand vaguely. “Sort of.”

Emma gasps. “Poppy!”

Jas sits up, looking genuinely offended.

“You’ve been holding out on us?”

“It wasn’t important!”

“You absolute traitor!” Emma says. “Spill.”

Jas crosses her arms, looking at me like a disappointed parent.

"Now."

I roll my eyes, sighing.

"Fine," I say. "I saw him at the airport. He tried to steal my taxi."

Emma gawks at me. "Hewhat?!"

Jas lets out a low whistle, shaking her head.

"Damn. And here I thought French men were supposed to be romantic."

"Right?" Emma scoffs. "I was expecting roses and whispered poetry, not theft and beverage-based assaults."

"Okay, well, to be fair," I mutter, "hedidoffer to share it."

Emma leans forward, eyes wide with suspicion.

"And you…"

"…Immediately assumed he was a criminal," Jas finishes.

Both of the girls look at me with deadpan expressions.

"Oh, don’t look at me like that! I was practicing basic safety."

Emma snorts. "Basic safety, or basic self-sabotage?"

"Textbookself-sabotage," Jas nods solemnly.

I throw my hat at them.

"You’re both the worst."

"No we’re not,” Emma dodges easily. “You’re just stressed because you now have a stalker."

"Oh my God,” Jas gasps, mock horrified. “He’sobsessedwith you."

I groan, dropping face-first onto my sunbed.

"I swear to god, this is my villain origin story."

Emma nudges my leg with her foot.

"Oh,please.This is just like being in a rom-com."

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