The Courbet Connection (Book 5) (Genevieve Lenard) Read Online Free PDF

considered Colin extremely handsome. Most men found themselves intimidated. The two young people mumbled their greetings.
    “So, what are you arguing about?” Colin took an empty pizza box and stacked it on top of another without making it look like he was cleaning up. There was no agitation in his actions. I was not capable of that.
    “We aren’t arguing anymore. Doc G agreed to help us, so everything will be fine now.” Nikki took the boxes from Colin. “We’ll clean up. Please, leave this.”
    Rebecca grabbed piles of papers, shuffling them until they could fit into her shoulder bag. “We’re done studying in any case. Right, Michael?”
    Michael noticed Rebecca’s exaggerated head tilt towards Colin and me, and reached for his books. “Yeah. Sure. We were leaving.”
    I slowly shook my head. “You are abysmal liars. Rebecca, your hand in front of your mouth when you are making a statement is a clear indication of your intention to hide what you are saying. Michael, shaking your head while saying ‘yes’ shows you do not agree with yourself. Why would you lie about leaving?”
    “They’re being polite, Doc G.” Nikki walked back from the kitchen with a furniture wipe and started wiping down the table. “They don’t want to overstay their welcome.”
    I was about to question the logic behind that, but Colin’s hand on my forearm stopped me. He was smiling at the three young people cleaning up. “You don’t have to leave, guys. You can stay for dinner.”
    “No!” Rebecca’s hand flew to her throat, but then she became aware of her body language and hid her hands behind her back. “I mean, we already have dinner pl…”
    “Don’t even try, Rebecca.” Nikki chuckled as she dropped the wipe in the bin. “Doc G will see right through you.”
    “I’m sorry, Doc G,” Rebecca said softly. “I don’t know how to act around you.”
    I nodded. “Understandable. People are so used to lying in order to maintain their standing in polite society. I don’t take offence if you are uncomfortable and don’t want to stay for dinner.”
    Colin put his hand on my shoulder. “You really are welcome to stay for dinner, but if you need to go, we understand. Maybe next time?”
    “That will be nice,” Nikki said. “Vinnie can cook for us.”
    “The big guy?” Rebecca’s procerus muscle pulled her brow in and down. Fear. She glanced at Michael, who was watching us with increasing interest.
    “Nikki, you shouldn’t enjoy scaring your friends this much.” It was hard to miss the constant muscle contractions around her mouth and eyes. She was teasing them. “Do not use us to scare them.”
    “We’re not scared, Doc G,” Michael said as he stood up. “Just uncomfortable and out of our depth. And Nikki is always teasing us. We know she means no harm.”
    “We’ll come for dinner one night.” Rebecca pulled her shoulders back. “With everyone here.”
    “That sounds great,” Colin said, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “And we’ll try not to be too scary.”
    Nikki’s friends responded positively to Colin’s openness, the tension in their bodies and on their faces dissipating. Two minutes later and after promises from Michael and Rebecca to visit again soon, Nikki left with her friends to continue their studying in the library. I could barely wait for the front door to close behind them before I rushed to the kitchen to grab my cleaning supplies. There were pizza crumbs on the table and stains Nikki had not cleaned in her quick attempt.
    Colin took the cleaning supplies from my gloved hands and put them on the floor. Leaning against the table, he pulled me closer until I stood stiffly between his legs. I’d come to know his expressions. The smile currently lifting his mouth meant he found me amusing.
    “You find my cleaning funny?”
    “No. I find it funny that anyone could be scared of you.”
    “Most people are.” I hated that my voice dropped slightly at this