“Nanine found out from Chef Louis Champion,” she said softly. “We talked. I need to tell you some things.”
By the time she was finishing telling him just how deep the vendetta went, he was sick to his stomach. “Poor Nanine—I want to feel bad for Adrienne too, but she made destructive choices as an adult. There’s no excuse for that.”
Her mouth tightened. “No, there isn’t—but I have a better understanding of what we’re facing.”
There was obviously more to her and Nanine’s conversation,things she didn’t want to tell him right now. His pulse started to race. He told himself not to take this personally, but his emotions were flying faster than baseballs in a batting cage. “You’ve both given up. You don’t believe I can win this.”
She searched his face, her worry tearing him apart. “I want to, but I’m worried about you. You’re working yourself into the ground. I don’t want you to be crushed if you can’t change the outcome.”
Of course they’d be concerned forhim, even as Madison’s dream hung in the balance. He told himself that was all right. When you loved someone, of course you’d feel that way. Relieved, he tapped her chin. “You let me handle myself. Should I talk to her?”
Shrugging, she winced when Spike gave a high-pitched bark. “Not unless you want to. She’s upset. That isn’t going to change.”
No, the only way that would change was for him to prove his plan would work. Nanine’s would win its star.
The announcement would be made in a little over three weeks. Spending time discussing the situation wasn’t productive. Neither was dredging up unpleasant emotions, especially with Nanine’s heart condition.
Madison rolled her shoulders. “Hey! Why don’t you settle this little guy down while I shower?”
He kissed her, realizing he could smell a thread of onions. So she’d stayed and chopped. Well, she had her coping mechanisms. So did he. “I’ll grab the ice cream on my way up.”
“Good.” She kissed him again hard on the mouth. “Don’t be long.”
Right. Because she would miss him. He watched as she walked up the steps through their Romance Shrine, something he’d continued to refresh for them. Even though he had to keep telling Spike to stay away from the candles. Evenwhen his spirits were flagging and he was exhausted by the events of the day.
Because she was worth it.
Theywere worth it.
