He rubbed his forehead. “I’m still in the planning stage. I was hoping you might have some ideas, Jacqueline. You’veworked for restaurants that have waged campaigns for a star before.”
She drew her dark blond hair over her shoulder, pursing her lips in thought. “You are doing what we did. Ensure the right people visit. Receive rave reviews from top food critics. When the restaurants where I worked were pursuing a star, the goal was to ensure Michelin would visit the restaurant. In this case, I am at a loss. Does this mean the Michelin people will not even visit Nanine’s?”
Acid bubbled in Kyle’s stomach. “Rico did not specify. He said Chef Dassault was bragging that he’d managed to blackball Nanine’s again with the Michelin people. Rico apparently checked around and felt sure enough to tell Madison the news.”
Jacqueline lifted her shoulder and made a sound of disgust. “Sometimes this is the way things are done with influential men like Dassault. Especially here in France. I do not like it.”
“It sucks.” Dean waved Spike’s paws in the air when the pup gave a high-pitched whine. “Doesn’t it?”
“Pierre is upset too.” Kyle shot Dean a look. “I need you to lift up his spirits. Madison said he cried last night, likely mimicking, but it did a number on her.”
Dean’s face fell. “God. Madison…she never— You know.”
He did, clenching his fist in anger. “I need to finish walking Spike and get back home.”
“Of course.” Jacqueline rose from the sofa beside Dean and crossed until she could put her hand on his arm. “I will consult with my most trusted colleagues on this matter if you wish.”
He kissed her on both cheeks. “I would appreciate it.”
“What are you going to do with the others?” Dean asked, rising and hugging the puppy to his chest. “Brooke will have some ideas. Same with Axel. Thea will be devastated, and right now, I don’t think she’s ever been so happy.”
Madison had been happy too—until this asshole had crushed her. Kyle wanted him to pay for that alone, besides screwing over Nanine multiple times. “Which is why I don’t want to tell everyone yet.” He took Spike from Dean. “I can’t imagine we have a legal recourse here. This kind of shit is done behind closed doors with no real evidence. We also won’t know for sure if Dassault can pull it off this time until the Michelin awards are announced next month.”
“That’s only four weeks away,” Jacqueline noted. “Even then, it won’t prove anything if the restaurant doesn’t win a star.”
“No, but apparently William Silver hinted that Dassault prevented Nanine’s from winning before. I wonder if that was why he came to the restaurant. I also wonder if there are other heavy hitters who will come to Nanine’s and sing its praises. I’m going to talk to Chef Marcel about that, of course, but A-listers are already lined up. Perhaps that kind of press will ensure the right outcome.”
Jacqueline only crossed her arms. “I wish I could believe that, but I fear good press will not be sufficient. I remember my father remarking about Nanine’s not winning a star years ago. He said they had the same excellence in the kitchen, and many celebrities ate there.”
“Yeah, Nanine’s had that whole wall of honor with people like Meryl Streep on it,” Dean added, his face darkening. “God, nowI’mdepressed.”
Kyle slapped him on the back. “Not you too! Dean, I need your most optimistic face. I want you to talk about kismet and Paris magic and all that other stuff while I dive into the underbelly of dirty pool and figure out a way to meet our goal. Got it?”
Dean shook himself and bounced in place. “I’ll find a way to see the silver lining here. But I have to know… Are you planning on telling Nanine?”
His stomach burned again as Spike scampered up hisfront. “I thought about it a lot last night. I’m reluctant to say anything right now. One, I need more information. Two, I want to have a plan. Three, she’s gone through plenty, and I don’t want to needlessly rehash the past. Especially with her heart issues.”
“Agreed, although she’ll tell us we’re not treating her like an adult,” Dean said with a wince.
“But she couldn’t figure out a way to fight Dassault last time. It may only upset her.”
Dean nodded. “Good thing we’re not having Sunday dinner this week.”
They’d decided to skip the tradition, because some of their friends were traveling for the weekend for Valentine’s Day.
Kyle nodded. “Thanks for cheering up Pierre.”
Dean pressed his pointer fingers to the sides of his mouth and pantomimed a smile. “Whatever it takes. Good luck with Madison. Somehow, I think your job is harder.”
So did Kyle.
He didn’t have a plan for her yet.
