Page 133 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Hey, this is the first I’ve heard!”
Jacques calmly went on. “You also need to know that I’m going to do everything in my power to make anyone who sees us think I’m madly in love with him.”
“Ehhh?” Akira protested weakly.
“Which will be convincingly inappropriate, since my boy-toy is barely legal.”
“I don’t look that young.”
“You can. You will.” Jacques addressed Suuzu again. “I’m a very good actor, but I want to assure you that it will be an act. So there’s no need for jealously.” To Akira’s dismay, Jacques next gave him a sultry smile. “And you must not fall for me.”
“That’s … not happening.”
“You say that now,” he teased.
Suuzu warbled a warning note.
Jacques patted the phoenix’s head. “See? Marvelous actor.”
Akira shook his head. “I can’t believe Argent would come up with a scheme like this.”
“I believe he took inspiration from that first trip to England with Tsumiko.” Jacques’ smile turned fond. “As you may recall, they had us Smythes convinced that your sister was twelve.”
“I’d never pass for twelve.”
“And I’d never make a pass at a twelve-year-old.” Jacques’ gaze was troubled. “But people will assume you’re half my age. If we strike the right balance, I’ll stay on the right side of the creeper line. More sugar daddy than shoutacon.”
Akira shook his head. “Argent actually asked you to do this?”
“Terrifying, isn’t it? But I can make it plausible, and that works to our advantage.” Again, he searched Suuzu’s face. “Our part is small, but essential. The risks are low. My tawdry little holiday is little more than a diversion. The others are taking much bigger risks.”
“Who are these others?”
“Boon, for one.” Jacques softly asked, “Is the privacy ward still working?”
“Yes.”
“Right. Not a peep out of either of you, but we’ll have ready access to the Cat himself. Hisoka is already en route.”
Akira searched Suuzu’s face. “That’s reassuring, right?”
“I do not like it,” Suuzu said softly.
Uncle Jackie kept his voice similarly soft. “But you like me …?”
It took a moment for Suuzu to relax against Jacques’ side. “I do not dislike you.”
“Because you trust me.”
Suuzu grudgingly whispered, “I do not distrust you.”
“No? Because I have planned a whole array of trust-building exercises. ’Twould be a shame if they went to waste.”
Akira bit. “Like what?”
“Walking together, shopping together, dining together. I’m told cycling and snorkeling are popular activities for tourists. And did I mention shopping? Because boutiques are on my agenda. And Rafter passed me Wind-and-Tide’s food truck bingo board.”
“That … actually sounds kind of fun,” ventured Akira.
