Page 41 of Blue Gold

“Do you miss home a lot?”

“All the time.”

His answer was so precise, like a dart to my heart.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said when he nodded.

“You should meet my maman one day. I bet she’d like you.”

I looked at him, surprised. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. She’s wonderful, very funny, too.”

“Sounds like you’re close.”

His lips curved up as his whole face lit up. “Yes. She was always my best friend, and it’s weird not seeing her every day.”

And to think I’d pay to move my parents to a different continent.

“I also miss my brother, although I doubt he cares.” A soft chuckle accompanied his words. “I’m pretty sure he’s happy I’m gone.”

My brows knitted close, and I frowned at him. “How come?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Aloïs has always been short-tempered with me. I probably just annoy him.”

So Aloïs was his brother? He sounds like an asshole.

“How old is he?”

“Oh, he’s fourteen.”

Did I just call a child an asshole?

“You should see how beautiful he is, though. Way prettier than me.”

I highly doubted that.

“He can also speak English, unlike me,” Elliot said, not taking his eyes off the onions he was chopping. “He has been incredibly smart ever since he was a little boy.”

“You’re smart, too, Elliot,” I said, sensing he didn’t give himself the credit he deserved.

“Me?” He huffed. “Hardly. I’m lucky to have finished school.” He tried lightening the mood by laughing, but it fell short, and I could see the pain in his eyes.

I put aside the peeler and looked at him. “You’re very smart.”

With a snort, Elliot turned to face me. “I sound stupid,” he said in English, and the forced smile on his face nearly broke my heart.

“You’re learning a new language, Elliot. It’s not an easy thing to do.”

“Aloïs is already fluent in English, and he’s only fourteen.” He switched back to French.

“So what? People have different language absorption skills, and your struggle doesn’t reflect on your intelligence.”

He looked down at the chopped onions, and I noticed the tears in his eyes.

“These onions make me cry. Anyway—” He wiped away his tears. “—it doesn’t really matter. I know I’m not the smartest person. That’s why I don’t plan on becoming a doctor.” He paused only to smirk at me. “Or a lawyer.”

Now, it was my turn to huff a laugh. “If you knew the number of idiots I’ve worked with… trust me, you’d change your mind about lawyers.”