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She sprang from her seat and opened her arms to her friend. “John-Paul! It’s so good to see you.”
The man, a few years older than her, swooped her up in a bear hug. Very handsome, he was around five-ten and had sharp cheekbones, brown eyes, and sandy hair. He kissed her on both cheeks, saying in his French-accented English, “You vixen, why didn’t you call?”
She laughed. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“I am. I am thrilled you’re here. I’ve missed you, and François has been asking for you.” After she’d written her review, he’d called her personally to thank her for the glowing recommendation and invited her to a private dinner. Sophie couldn’t refuse such an offer, and she’d become fast friends with John-Paul and his partner, François.
John-Paul looked past her and gestured. “And who do we have here?”
Sophie turned to face Ryder, whose expression appeared too calm, contrasting the tension radiating off him. “This is Ryder, my . . .” She trailed off and realized she had no idea how to identify him. She’d never needed to. In Revival, everyone knew they were together. “My . . .” Friend was too impersonal, boyfriend too juvenile, and significant other too clinical. “My . . . person.”
John-Paul beamed and held out his hand. “Well, hello, Sophie’s person.”
Sophie said, “John-Paul is the owner and chef of this place.”
Ryder shook the offered hand, nodding. “Nice place you have here.”
“Thank you.” John-Paul put his arm around Sophie’s shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her temple. “Your handsome man is looking as though he may murder me. Perhaps you should put him out of his misery.”
Sophie laughed, tilting her head. “John-Paul is married to a French media mogul named François.”
Ryder’s expression instantly eased and he had the good nature to shrug. “Sorry. I’m feeling ... protective.”
John-Paul graciously lowered his head. “I understand.” The door opened and he glanced over in that direction. “Ah, how lucky, there’s François now. One moment, I’ll bring him over, as I know he would love to see you.”
He returned a moment later with an equally gorgeous man with jet-black hair and vivid blue eyes.
François swept her up, again kissing her on both cheeks. “Sophie, I’ve been thinking of you and was going to give you a call, but here you are. What a happy coincidence.”
“Oh? How so?” she asked, winking at Ryder.
He didn’t wink back; instead he studied her as though he’d never quite seen her before. Before she could think any more on it, François’s voice pulled her back to him.
“My vice president of marketing left for a job in New York, and you are the perfect person to fill the position. Of course, we’ll need to go through the formalities of an interview with other members of the team.” He laughed, waving a little. “But I am the boss and have the final say. As soon as he handed me his resignation, I told John-Paul you were the only person I’d accept. I’m hoping to get you in for an interview in the next couple of weeks.”
Sophie’s heart leapt with excitement. This was huge. François’s company was one of the top companies in Chicago. A job with him would make her entire career. And he was in media, so she’d be invited everywhere. Attend all the best parties, travel the world.
She’d get to come home. She’d have her old life back, only better.
She turned to Ryder, ready to share it all with him. Ready to jump up and down in elation. Everything stilled. The excitement drained away. As reality sank in, her stomach turned to lead.
But it would cost her Ryder.
