CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
Embarrassment, thy name is Thea.
Sawyer would probably have waxed poetic with that kind of witticism after her complete meltdown on Sunday, but as Thea closed her bakery the next day, she was feeling as heavy and sticky as the rye bread dough she’d mixed.
Of course everyone had texted her today to see if she was all right, and wasn’t that even worse? She’d caused so much trouble. Jean Luc had told her it was all right to be upset, but she’d stirred Madison up so much she’d stalked out of their evening.
Madison had texted her saying she shouldn’t worry about it—another rarity. Shenevertexted, but she must have known Thea was climbing the walls over the situation.
And she was. She’d talked scenarios through with Jean Luc until she was blue in the face. If Nanine’s—and thereby Madison—was blackballed, what did that mean for Madison’s career? She’d have to leave the restaurant to have her shot at a star, wouldn’t she? Which could mean her leaving Paris and their family. Which also meant Kyle might go.
Thea wasn’t going to stand for that.
Forget that Nanine’s involved her breads. This was family. Her family.
Coming to the bakery at three in the morning had given her plenty of time to struggle through her emotions and clear her head. As she’d kneaded and shaped loaves and pastries, she’d turned to practical matters.
How were they going to solve this problem?
Sure, Kyle was on it, and so were Brooke and likely Axel. She knew all about the upstairs private VIP suites for the A-listers and celebrities wanting coveted reservations. But they needed someone on the inside, didn’t they? Someone they could reach. With that in mind, she started making some calls to her trusted advisors and former colleagues atLe Cordon Bleu.
She’d discovered the pursuit of that linchpin person who held power in the Michelin organization was much like the telephone game. Her request hadn’t been about seeking a meeting to influence him. No, she had a better idea, and now she had a name.
So she’d texted Kyle asking for a meeting, and now that the bakery was closed, it was time for them to talk.
Walking briskly down the winter-washed Parisian streets, she didn’t mind the gray or the cold. Back in Iowa, she’d have been evading piles of snow this time of year. Her throat clogged as she reached the house Kyle had bought for all of them. He’d moved heaven and earth—creating The Paris Roommates Group, granting her dream of owning her own bakery and staying in Paris.
Now it was time for her to support him. Her Operation Kyle.
Kyle met her at the front door, because there was no more walking in unannounced. This was his and Madison’s home now.
“Hey,” he said, hugging her tightly as Spike gave a fewdelighted barks at his feet. “I’m glad you came over. Come inside. Madison is making me BBQ.”
Her heart did a crazy loop-de-loop in her chest. Thoughtful touches like making someone a cherished meal defined love. She did it for Jean Luc all the time, while he bestowed little gifts on her to make her smile. She leaned down and stroked Spike’s shiny mane and let herself settle.
But her resolve strengthened.
She was not going to let anyone break up her family or stop them from achieving their dreams. Because Kyle wanted this star as much as Madison, although he’d never said so. And he wanted Madison most of all.
“Can we talk in your office?” She cleared her throat as she shrugged out of her coat.
He made a noncommittal sound before taking her coat and pointing the way. “Sure thing. Spike, go see Madison.”
The puppy barked and ran toward the kitchen.
“Do you want a café?”
“No thanks.” She clenched her hands together as she walked down the hall.
His office was much like the friend she’d come to know. Nicely decorated. Organized. Comfortable. Professional. She needed to match him.
Taking her seat, she folded her hands in her lap as he eased into the chair behind his desk. She flashed a smile and dug into her pocket.
“Thea, you’re scaring me a little with all this formality,” he admitted, leaning forward, his brows knit.
She extended the check to him. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be overly formal. I’d like to become a full-fledged member of The Paris Roommates Group. I know everyone put up my investment contribution for Nanine’s when we first came back to Paris, and I didn’t have the money. But I have it now, and I’m paying the loan back.”
