He was smiling as Spike started licking his face.
When he arrived in the kitchen, everyone was hugging Madison. From the red flush on her face, she looked pretty riled up. Kyle brought Pierre over to her, and Dean had to smile as she and the little dude greeted each other like long-lost friends, Pierre purring for all he was worth as she stroked his creamy white feathers.
He had to look away for a second because dammit, he’d been devasted to think about her and Pierre being torn apart. Then there’d been the worry that Madison would leave and not stay in touch. They hadn’t all kept in touch after leaving Paris the first time, which had always been one of his regrets.
After putting his gift bag down, he charged into the mêlée and found the courage to wrap Madison up in a rare hug, Spike doing his best to butt his head against both of them and share more of his puppy love. For once, she let him linger. Then he felt a little pinch on his back and playfully staggered back with an exaggeratedOuch,causing Spike to bark loudly and Pierre to give a shriek.
“Don’t make me grab my cleaver, Dean,” Madison only warned, although her mouth was fighting a smile.
He held up one hand since he was still cradling Spike in the other, dangling the gift bag in the air. “I cry Uncle. So you guys look better than the last time we saw you…”
Madison was practically glowing like the fountain of youth, even wearing her usual all-black ensemble. Kyle was hovering close by like he never wanted to be away from her ever again.
God, they were totally gone for each other.
He pressed a hand to his heart, feeling mushy, as Madison would say. “You know, Sawyer’s usually the one who drops quotes, but I’m going to step into center stage this time. This situation reminds me of the aphorismall’s well that ends well.I don’t know who said it first, but it seems apt here.Apt.How about that for a big word?”
Phoebe snorted out a laugh before muffling herself.
Sawyer cleared his throat, fighting a smile. “Dean, Shakespeare wrote a play with that name.”
He snapped his fingers, prompting Spike to lurch for his hand. “How about that? I quoted the Bard and didn’t even know it.”
“Madison, Kyle, please put us all out of our misery over Dean using words likeaptand quoting the Bard,” Brooke broke in, shooting him one of heryou’re being extra, Deanglances. “Are we sure everything is all right? Because I was gathering case studies of the people I know in fashion who’ve been blackballed and made huge comebacks. I can keep doing research.”
Kyle put his arm around Madison, and Dean goggled at the sight. Sure, she’d held his hand—discreetly—around them before, but this move was pure couple. And she leaned in! He wanted to purse his lips and give his best taxi whistle.
“It’s like I told you in the text,” Kyle began after Madison inclined her chin to him. “Rico received an anonymous note, which clearly was meant for Madison, saying Nanine’s is being considered by Michelin.”
“Oh, thank God!” Thea burst out. “I’ve been so upset I’ve been afraid my breads aren’t up to Michelin standard. Andyou two! I told Jean Luc I didn’t know how I was going to handle one of us leaving Paris?—”
“Thea.”Brooke sounded like she was getting emotional herself. “We all know it’s been hard. Take a breath. We’re celebrating here.”
She blew out a huge breath. “Right. Someone pop the champagne. Nanine would want that.”
Dean glanced over at Brooke, and he knew she was thinking about asking the same thing he was by the way she tapped her mouth. “Hey! I’ll ask. Does this mean Nanine won’t have to give her Dassault exposé to theLe Mondeguy?”
“No,” Madison shot out immediately.
“We’re planning on talking to her about that tomorrow since the interview is scheduled for Monday,” Kyle followed up. “She didn’t respond to your text?”
“Not last I looked, but she and Carl have been heading out for a bunch of wine jaunts.” Dean’s insides did another barrel roll when he thought about Nanine sharing that horrible story. Her pride was part of her identity. Sharing something so tawdry with the world would be difficult for her. The follow-up questions, unthinkable. Then it hit him…
“Ah…” Dean stroked his jaw. “When did Nanine call Gustave about the exposé?”
Kyle’s mouth thinned. “I placed the call for her right after we broke from our meeting yesterday.”
Brooke let out a barely audible,“Oh…” She hesitated before adding, “Did Nanine refer to what she planned to tell Gustave in their conversation?”
Kyle nodded. “Briefly, but Gustave already knew the story. I mean, everyone seems toknowwhat happened.”
“But it’s never been written about,” Brooke drew out. “Trust me, as a former fashion editor, everything changes when something is printed in black and white. The French are the souls of discretion, so exposés are very damaging. Giantsin the industry don’t like having their reputations shredded in the tabloids. Taints their legendary status.”
“Someone recently mentioned how much bullies value their cred,” Kyle said wryly, nudging a frowning Madison.
“You don’t think Gustave called Dassault up and told him he’d like to get his side of things, do you?” Kyle bandied back.
“I would,” Brooke replied.
