CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Kyle pulled Madison to his chest when she finally came home, happiness shooting up inside him like bottle rockets. “I heard Thea told you the great news.”
Her arms came around him after she set Pierre’s cage on the ground. “She did…”
Okay, so she wasn’t as happy as he was. That was fine. He had enough good feelings for both of them. “I called her back as soon as I got off the phone with your old mentor about the new restaurant,” he told her, kissing her softly on the mouth. “After some table juggling, Claude and I figured out how to give them the second floor, exclusively, I might add.”
“You really are turning into a miracle worker, aren’t you,” she commented in an amused tone, stroking his jaw before tangling her hand in his hair and making him groan.
“I’m glad you’re here to see the transition from mere Golden Boy to Miracle Worker.” He kissed her again, slowly, because he couldn’t help himself. “Of course, Thea deserves all the credit for the breadbasket idea. God, I still can’t believe it. Christophe Flaubert is coming to Nanine’s. I wonder who he’s bringing.”
“We won’t ask,” she reminded him quickly. “Our job is toserve them at the standard we’ve set, like everyone else. I know you’re already going crazy here, but Kyle, we can’t assume this changes anything about the Michelin people.”
Angling back, he tipped up her chin and studied her face before kissing her softly on the lips. “Fine. No assuming, but you can’t deny it’s progress to have a guest like Christophe Flaubert.”
“It’s something,” she agreed, finally shrugging out of her coat. “Where’s Spike?”
“I kinda wore him out today,” he confessed. “Extra playtime.”
Shooting him a knowing glance, she picked up Pierre’s cage and started walking to Pierre’s suite, as she liked to call it. “I see. Any interest in ice cream?”
“Sí,”he answered in Spanish, making her laugh. “Maybe after some dancing and mezcal if you’re up for it.”
“I’m always game,” she replied in Spanish. “Your accent really is getting better. Be right back.”
Not a bad way to cap off the evening—or start the day that would be crowned by their honored guests’ visit to Nanine’s. He’d been looking for purpose in his life when he returned to Paris. With her and his roommates and Nanine, he’d found it.
He felt on top of the world.
The next morning, he awoke with a smile. Madison’s hand was resting across his face, and she was sprawled out next to him. The empty container of ice cream had sweated and left a puddle on the floor where he’d finally dropped it before tangling himself up with her but good. Spike was scratching on the door, giving his little puppy barks.
God, it was going to be a great day.
Madison sent him and Spike off with plenty of kisses, and even Pierre gave a delighted squawk from his cage as they left. He and Spike were getting along better, especially sincePierre had gotten good at telling Spike, “Sit,” which made him plop his little butt down.
Deciding it was a great time to make the rounds, he brought Spike over to Thea’s bakery. He waved outside the front window so customers wouldn’t lynch him for cutting in the coveted bread line winding down the street. When she looked up and crooked her finger, he picked up Spike and made his way inside.
Thea stepped aside to let her assistant man the counter and rushed over to hug him and pat Spike. “Hey, you two! What a nice surprise!”
“I thought I’d drop by. Thanks again for your help.”
Smoothing back her ponytail, she beamed. “I’m so glad I could. I’ll text you the moment I can about letting our friend know about the reservation.”
Her voice was whisper soft, and he sent her a wink. “Can’t wait! I’ll let you get back. But Thea, I’m so happy for you. About the bakery…and Jean Luc.” He touched the wedding ring on her finger. “You deserve it all. You’re the best.”
Her eyes glistened. “Oh, you’re going to make me cry. You’re the best too! Thankyou. Without you?—”
He laid his hand gently over her mouth and shook his head. “No,yourvision, your place. I was only glad to support it. Now, get back to your customers.”
“Hang on.”
Dashing back to the counter, she snagged a croissant, which she knew was his favorite. Popping it into a pastry sack, she returned and kissed his cheek. “Because bread is love.”
Yeah, it sure was. He bussed her cheek. “Talk to you later.”
He ate his croissant as he and Spike walked to Pairings by Pierre on the off chance Dean and Jacqueline were there. The shop hadn’t opened yet, but the big day was almost upon them now.
