At the mention of Alexei and his antics, a more genuine smile returned to his face, even if it fell from Katherine’s. He’d said it enough times already, but he really didn’t regret that night out with Alexei. It had probably been stupid and it had most definitely been done on a whim. But he was glad they’d done it. Granted, the chances of something like that happening again her pretty slim, especially if James wanted to finish school. But it had been fun, even it had nearly gotten them kicked out.
“Yeah, France,” he confirmed with a small sigh. “I don’t need him with me to see the Louvre. He just has to show me where it is.” James was teasing. Mostly. He would want to see some of the actual historical bits of the country over the summer. But he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t in it for the alcohol and the women. It wasn’t quite his top prerogative. But it was up there, for sure, and he fully planned on being drunk a few days a week. Absently, he hoped he wouldn’t be guzzling wine all summer. Fucking grape juice.
Her question sort of struck him as odd. It wasn’t even the question itself, but perhaps the look on her face when she asked. James didn’t answer right away, brow momentarily furrowed as he noticed just how forced her smile looked. Quickly though, he shifted his gaze to the window. He didn’t want her to see just how much that forced smile confused him. Why wouldn’t she be happy that he was getting out of England for a while? Personally, he didn’t see any downside to living with Bastien for the summer, from the girls, to the drinks, to just plain not being home.
Finally though, he chanced a glance back at her, unable to completely mask the hint of suspicion in his voice. “Most of the summer, I think. I’ll have to come back near the end of August to pick up new books and stuff, but I’m pretty sure we’re leaving as soon as we can.” It was his turn to force a smile. “I don’t think Bastien much likes England.”