“Sometimes life is that way,” Rico mused. “It’s like making beurre blanc sauce. You seem to be stirring forever and nothing is happening, and then suddenly everything comes together perfectly.”
They both stared at him. “Really, Rico?Beurre blanc?” She turned to Kyle and grabbed his jacket. “Kyle, do you know what this means?”
“We’re not blackballed.” Clutching her to him, he pressed his face into her neck. “We’re being considered.”
She leaned back and shook him playfully. “It means that a-hole didn’t win.”
He cupped her face and kissed her hard on the mouth before holding out his hand to Rico. “Thank you for bringing the note, Rico.”
His slight shrug was so very French. “After you came to me for help, Kyle, it seems I am now deeply involved.”
Shock rippled over Madison’s face. “You went to Rico? When?”
Because the man was smirking, he only kissed her softly on the mouth. “All hands on deck, remember?”
“But Rico!”she only repeated.
“Do not say it like that, Madison,” Rico implored, hand to heart. “You will hurt my sensitive soul.”
Kyle almost snorted. “We’ll both be sure to be careful with you from now on. Any idea who might have left it?”
Shaking his head, Rico walked to the kitchen doorway, extracting a cigarette but not making a move to light it. “No, I’m afraid the Michelin mystique continues. This story is going to join other legendary ones should you win your star, Madison.”
Personally, Kyle could do with a little less mystique.
“I will be most excited for their decision,” Rico continued, stroking the cigarette in his hand. “Something you should know…unlike the restaurant where we worked in Miami, you’ll hear closer to the ceremony whether you have won the star since travel is easier from Paris to the award site. From my friend’s past experience and my own, the Michelin people will call a week to three days in advance to let you know if you should come to the ceremony.”
“Meaning you’ve won.” Madison rocked on her heels, sharing his wired energy. “Good to know.”
“I’m hoping my restaurant will go from one to two this year.” He smirked. “If so, we can travel together.”
“I hope you get it,” Madison told him.
“Me as well, since it seems I will not be gettingallI want.”
Kyle knew a pointed reference to Madison when he heard it. “Better luck next time, Rico.”
The chef snorted. “Alas, that is life. Now, I will let you go back to your brick throwing or whatever it is you are doing.Bonne nuit.”
Madison jerked out of Kyle’s arms and ran to her friend, punching him lightly in the air. “Thank you, Rico.”
“What else can a man do?” They shared a smile before he inclined his chin to Kyle. “Take good care of her.”
He put a hand to his heart, smiling as Madison gazed back at him, love shining in her eyes. “With everything I am.”
“Ah, l’amour,seeing you two makes me long for it in my Basque soul.” He sighed. “Madison, if you need someone to walk you down the aisle, I will do so.”
She blinked before shoving him toward the door. “Would you stuff rice into those little wedding sachets if I ask?”
“I’d rather cut my throat with your cleaver,” Rico responded with a laugh before leaving the kitchen.
Once they were alone together again, Madison turned to Kyle. “I’m in shock.”
He walked toward her slowly, snagging her to him when she was within reach. “Me too. Part of me wonders what worked, but the rest of me doesn’t care. I’m only glad it did.”
She laid her hand over his heart. “You know this note doesn’t mean we won a star. Only that we’re being seriously considered. No longer blackballed.”
The cautious edge was back in her voice, and for good reason. They’d been through the wringer. “Thankfully it won’t be too much longer before we hear.”
“No.” She fingered the buttons on his shirt before raising her face and looking up at him. “Earlier, all I’d planned to do for the rest of the night was chop that entire sack of onions in the corner. Now, I want to go home with you, play with our dog, eat ice cream, drink mezcal until we’re silly, and dance until dawn.”
He smoothed the curly black locks behind her ears before framing her beautiful face in his hands. God, to think how close they’d come to losing each other. He never wanted to get that close to the edge of the abyss. “Sounds like a plan—so long as you end up in my bed.”
She raised one single brow and clucked her tongue. “Kyle, it’sourbed. How did you forget?”
Our bed.
Their eyes met. Her unrestrained smile held all the love and humor he’d come to count on in a friend and lover.
He lowered his mouth to hers and let their whole world expand once again. This time, he vowed to himself, it would be forever.
