Chapter 2
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 he walked 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 they hadn’t been 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, found family, 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 making Hveteboller.”
“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.”
Kyle nodded to Sawyer and walked over to hug Phoebe. “You’re more than welcome. I texted that people could include The Plus Ones. You’re part of our Paris Roommates family now.”
She kissed both his cheeks. “That’s the sweetest.”
“It really is, man,” Dean commented as he came in with a half case of bubbly, his fiancée Jacqueline walking with him. “We came prepared. An emergency meeting on New Year’s seemed to call for some libations.”
Libations were certainly the way to go, Kyle thought.
Moments later, Thea and Jean Luc arrived, and the kitchen was buzzing with his found family as they helped themselves to drinks. Kyle chose a mimosa because he needed to keep his head.
When the greetings faded, he said, “Thanks for coming. It’s why I love you guys. To the best friends in the world. Especially Thea and Jean Luc, since this is technically still their honeymoon. Happy New Year.”
Everyone lifted their glasses. After sipping his Aquavit, Dean gave a couple of coughs and pounded his chest. “Damn, Axel, that’s like holiday moonshine.”
Axel gave him a blank stare, which Kyle rather appreciated. When Dean decided to start clowning, there was no stopping him even if he appeared calmer than usual this morning, wearing a NEW YEAR, NEW DREAMS black T-shirt instead of one of his laugh-out-loud ones.
“Kyle,” Thea said after a sip, “Jean Luc and I didn’t mind changing our train, but I’m a little uncomfortable with Madison not being here.”
“What she said,” Dean added, taking another sip and grimacing. “I think I know where this is going, so I’m stating up front, she’s my friend too. I love you both. I’m not choosing.”
Here we go.
“I’m not asking anyone to choose. I’m asking for your help, if you’re willing. Can we all sit down? I’d like to explain what I’m thinking.”
After everyone had gathered in the family room—which seemed perfect for what he had in mind—he stared into Axel’s flickering fireplace for a moment before turning to face the room.
“Shit. This is hard. I’d planned to present my idea like I was pitching a new restaurant, but I can’t do it like that. ”
Thea already had tears in her eyes. “Just speak from your heart, Kyle.”
He swallowed thickly and tried to smile.
“I was going to start with something like, ‘Everyone knows that Madison and I have been fighting some additional feelings for each other,’ but that seems too weak for what’s been happening.
So here’s the flat-out truth. I love her.
With all my heart. And I want to convince her we can make it, because I think we’re it for each other. ”
He kept focused on Thea, because out of everyone, she was the sweetest, and since she had tears running down her face already, he figured he was getting through to her. Then he caught Brooke reaching for Axel’s hand, and he blew out a breath.
“You all know what this feels like.” He tapped his pounding chest. “I want to be with her every second of the day. Not even needing to talk. Simply for the sheer joy of being with her. I want to make her smile. I live for the moments when I make her laugh. And when I surprise her with something unexpected and she stares at me as if I’ve given her everything, it’s my whole world. ”
“Oh, Kyle, we’re so happy for you,” Thea blurted out.
He could feel a knot forming in his throat. “You all know the score. Madison and I are best friends. Business partners. And part of this family. No one wants to mess that up. I refuse to think anything could. But Madison needs some convincing. Which is where you come in.”
Dean cringed. “That’s what I thought. Kyle, while I want you two to ride off into the sunset, I’m equally afraid Madison will finally use her cleaver on me if I interfere.”
A couple of people nodded, and he fought the urge to rub his brow.
“Look, I know the situation is tricky. She’s your friend too.
I’m asking for your help doing what we’ve all done for each other.
Because last night I told her that I planned to show her how good of a partner I could be to her.
I’m asking for your help with Operation Madison. ”
Thea raised her hand. “Can we tell her about Operation Madison? Because I told Sawyer that we’d had a meeting and planned to help him. It only seems fair that we do the same for her.”
“What if she doesn’t want help?” Brooke asked, worrying her lip. “Kyle, I want to support you, but I’m not sure I would have liked Operation Brooke.”
Kyle snorted. “Really, Brooke? Who do you think hired Axel?”