CHAPTER
TWO
Every good leader knew when he needed support to bring a plan to life.
Kyle called in his very own cavalry, his found family. Yes, it was New Year’s Day, and later they would be celebrating with a family dinner, but he wasn’t going to rest on his laurels.
He knew Madison. If he gave her too much space to think about all the reasons they shouldn’t be together, she’d dig her heels in and refuse to give them a chance. Already, she’d left the house early this morning to avoid him, likely going to the restaurant even though it was closed for the holiday.
The trick was to keep her a little off-balance. To give her some space, but not too much. To be patient but persistent.
He told himself he could walk the tightrope.
As he arrived at Brooke and Axel’s place, he gazed at his watch. His roommates would be here shortly for the meeting he’d called. He needed to calm himself and present a solid case. What he was asking of them would be hard, and he wasn’t sure they’d go along with it.
Brooke buzzed him inside, and he took deep breaths as hewalked through the magnificent garden and exterior space to the front door.
“This is a surprise,” Brooke said, kissing his cheeks Parisian style. She was dressed in a tailored cream pantsuit with enough jewelry to suggest she was hosting a social occasion. She hesitated, watching him, then added, “Axel and I have a feeling we know why you texted to have a gathering here.”
Not only did they have the largest home outside of his and Madison’s, but Brooke and Axel lived and breathed goal-setting and drawing up plans, and they were damn good at winning. Nodding, he took a healthy breath, inhaling the scent of cardamom and baked bread. “I imagine it was obvious last night.”
She fanned herself as he let himself inside and shrugged out of his coat. “You know that mysterious shimmer that appears above hot asphalt? That was you and Madison last night when you came back with the champagne. Plus, Thea looked uncomfortable, which meant she and Jean Luc must have interrupted something in the hallway. Madison had left to find you, and you guys were both gone a while. I…wondered.”
Even though he knew it was time to put it all out there, his stomach knotted as he hung his coat on Axel’s clever tree-shaped hanging rack. “I don’t like to talk out of school, but yes, Thea and Jean Luc came across us in a moment.”
He’d lain awake later wondering what would have happened if theyhadn’tbeen interrupted. Would he and Madison have up and left the party and gone back to the house together to finally cross the friendship line for good?
He didn’t know, and that was making his belly tight. If they’d had sex, would she have balked afterward? He knew she didn’t want to hurt him, but she had strong boundaries with men, and rightfully so from what he knew of her background. Complicating it all was their friendship, foundfamily, and business partnership. Technically, he was her boss…
“Take another breath, Kyle.” Brooke patted him on the back as they walked to the kitchen. “We’ll figure things out. Axel has made a start there. He’s makingHveteboller.”
“God bless you.”
She puffed out a laugh. “Norwegian Cardamom Buns are the perfect comfort food when you’re feeling stuck. I figured everyone would be hungry, so I’m making eggs too. Thea offered to bring a fruit and cheese tray, even though I told her she didn’t have to. They’re supposed to still be on their honeymoon, for heaven’s sake.”
Renewed guilt began to flood back in. “I told her she and Jean Luc didn’t have to come this morning, but I didn’t want to leave her out.”
“Only Madison.”
He winced, seeing the mirrored guilt in her gaze. “I don’t like it either, but I want to run some things by you guys.”
She linked their arms as they reached the kitchen. “We all understand that, Kyle. Axel, we might need something stronger than mimosas this morning.”
“Perhaps the Aquavit?” The giant Nordic man wore a utilitarian cooking apron over his blue fisherman’s sweater and gray dress pants. “The spice in our Norwegian water of life might be considered festive.”
“Festive is good.” Kyle inclined his chin. “Happy New Year, man. Hope I didn’t ruin your plans this morning.”
“A friend is always welcome to alter one’s day, especially when he has the need.” Axel walked over and put his hand on his shoulder. “I imagine asking wasn’t easy.”
One thing Kyle appreciated about Axel was his absolute emotional honesty. He nodded with a tight smile. “Like they say back home, it was as easy as putting socks on a rooster.”
Axel’s blond brows knit. “Why would anyone want to do such a thing to that poor fowl?”
Brooke started laughing as the call box sounded. “I’ll grab the Aquavit and then let our next guests in.”
When Brooke reappeared, she held a bouquet of mixed flowers along with the Norwegian liquor. Sawyer and Phoebe stood behind her, hand in hand, looking especially festive with Phoebe’s red fake fur coat and Sawyer’s green wool one. “The masses have arrived. Look what Phoebe brought. Wildflowers! Isn’t that nice? I asked her where in the world she’d gotten them?—”
“To which I responded, a girl has to have her secrets,” Phoebe replied. “I hope it’s okay I came, but I can duck out if this is roommates only.”
