“You have brought Nanine’s great acclaim, Fifth Course. Not that I am surprised.”
She took the flute, her insides swirling like the yeasty bubbles in her glass. “I’m only building on what you created, Nanine.”
Lifting her glass, Nanine cupped Madison’s arm as her sculpted brows winged up. “Take the moment, my love.”
Madison could feel heat crawling up her neck at the endearment as much as the attention. “Thea, get your butt over here. Your breads were responsible for this circus as much as the other dishes. I’d say we all have a right to raise our glasses. To us. Women who get stuff done.”
Thea thrust out her glass enthusiastically, Jean Luc’s hand on her shoulder. “I’ll drink to that. I love you guys. Oh, Madison! I’m so happy for you—and Nanine’s.”
“We’re all pleased.” Nanine’s mouth curved.“Santé, ma chérie.”
God, when Nanine dropped multiple endearments like that, it made an impression. So she raised her glass and drank, her throat aching with emotion as her gaze met Kyle’s again.
Nanine caressed her arm after lowering her glass. “It’s an interesting situation, having paparazzi around. I might need to wear a disguise.”
Dean did the whole photography frame hands, squinting at her. “I think a Grace Kelly inTo Catch a Thieflook would be perfect. Hermès scarf. Oversized sunglasses.”
Brooke punched him lightly in the arm. “It’s winter, Dean. Besides, she can’t wear sunglasses at night.”
“That would draw even more attention.” Nanine’s mouth curled into a wry smile. “No, I think this is my sign to move into Carl’s apartment.”
“Our apartment, my dear,” Brooke’s dad corrected, his face beaming his happiness.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Madison’s throat burned now. “But Nanine! I am not letting this circus drive you from your home. You’ve lived there?—”
“Yes, I know, but life changes and so do our circumstances.” When Nanine looked at her, she knew the woman was speaking directly to her. “Carl and I are engaged and will marry. It is time I make a new home. Nanine’s will always be in my heart, but it is now in your hands, Madison. Hands I trust with my whole heart.”
Madison’s eyes were stinging. She felt Kyle come up behind her. God, he’d know what this news would do to her.
“Besides, Carl and I are enjoying traveling and finding wines for Nanine’s,” Nanine added as Carl slipped his arm around her waist. “We thought we’d head to the Loire Valley for a few days to allow the movers time. Kyle, I know you’ve arranged for the construction company to up their timetable on the remodel in the upstairs floors. Can you help me find the right movers? Once I vacate, you can add my apartment to the remodel plan.”
Now Thea and Brooke had tears falling down their faces. Sawyer wasn’t close behind. He had a handkerchief in hand. Madison suddenly wanted to throw something.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Kyle asked softly. “Nanine, I understand why you’d want to create a home with Carl. He’s your partner now. But your apartment has always been a special place. We don’t need to add it to the restaurant.”
Her soft smile had Sawyer dabbing his eyes under his spectacles, and Madison watched as Dean grabbed thehandkerchief from him and did the same. People were losing it. This had to stop.
“Nanine—”
She only held up a hand. “No, my loves. This is what I want. You all have given so much to Nanine’s to help it return to prominence. Without your support and financial investment, the restaurant would never have reopened.”
“Nanine, we’ll be turning a profit in a month,” Kyle told her, finally putting his hand to Madison’s back and rubbing it reassuringly. “Well ahead of schedule. The two floors upstairs we’re adding to the restaurant are more than enough.”
The desire to lean into him was strong, but Madison held firm. After everyone left, she’d bang around in her kitchen. Maybe sharpen her cleaver. Clearly Kyle needed to get out his emotions too. He was vibrating with tension behind her.
“My dear Sixth Course.” Nanine crossed and held his face. “I am delighted the Paris Roommates Group will be making a profit on Nanine’s, which means all of the love and support you gave the restaurant will have succeeded. But I mean what I say. Please include my former apartment in the restaurant additions. You will need it. Even I had calls today requesting help in securing a coveted reservation.”
She watched as Kyle swallowed thickly. “We can change your phone number. No one should be pressured about the reservations.”
“I think we should just have everyone send in a postcard if they want a reservation—like that place in Maine.” Thea’s face was wet with tears. “This is too much.”
“No, my dear,” Nanine said softly, “praise of this nature is never a burden. I am proud of you all. Nanine’s lives on in people’s hearts. That has always been my wish. Let us raise our glasses again and toast this wonderful review and all of the incredible work that has led us to this moment.”
People were slow to raise their glasses. But Nanine arched her brow, and that was all it took. Heart aching, Madisonuttered a half-heartedSantéalong with the rest of her friends. The champagne tasted like battery acid to her dry mouth.
When everyone started to beg off, citing the lateness of the hour, she couldn’t help but be glad. She wanted to hit something.
After everyone left, the first thing she did was dump her nearly full glass of champagne down the sink and let the flute clatter down.
