Chapter 30
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Kyle put on his best face as the VIPs started rolling in.
Brooke had arranged for world-famous guests from the fashion world who invited big press and had huge followings. They all raved, calling it a once in-a-lifetime experience. Madison had merely rolled her eyes when he’d shared the news, so he decided to keep his excitement to himself.
Reservations reached epic levels after the Brazilian model Bruna shared with her four million followers that she’d fasted for four days to enjoy the meal and said it was worth every minute. Dean had to reinforce their reservation system again.
Thursday brought a party of chefs from some of the top cooking and food shows, as suggested by Rico.
If Anthony Bourdain had still been alive, Kyle liked to think he would have joined the party.
As it were, he’d rounded up people who defined travel and food for millions around the world, and he believed every one of them when they said it was one of the best meals they’d ever eaten and heaped overflowing praise on the bread pairings.
Friday boasted Jacqueline’s contribution—a carefully selected group of guests from the top wine groups from her alma mater, the renowned Court of Master Sommeliers, and members of France’s famed Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité, who handled the tony Designations of Origin related to wine and other agricultural products.
While all of them were very formal in their manner, they conveyed their pleasure with half smiles and graciousness.
Jacqueline heard effusive feedback the following morning.
That finally cracked Madison’s protective walls.
And then her favorite Latin singers dined at Nanine’s on Saturday night and enjoyed their meal so much they invited her to visit their private table upstairs so they could compliment her on the meal.
When Madison got home that night, she threw her arms around Kyle’s neck, all smiles, and said, “Okay, you’ve got me. Having those guests eat at Nanine’s tonight is now at the top of my list.”
You’d better believe the ice cream came out after that.
Sunday rolled in with a surprising March snow shower, and he wrapped his arms around her as they stood in the doorway of the house watching Spike leap into the air at the falling snowflakes.
“He really is a cute little guy, isn’t he?” she commented wistfully, leaning back against him, all soft and warm. “I’m becoming something I would have bet a million dollars I’d never become. A dog lover. Pierre was kinda like my gateway animal.”
Kyle kissed the side of her throat, thinking today was like their own personal slice of heaven.
The rest of the world felt far away—even though the Michelin stars would be announced in two weeks.
He shoved that thought back into a corner.
For today and tomorrow, he had Madison away from work, even though her tension was evident.
He planned to enjoy every minute with her.
“What would you like to do today?” he asked, chuckling when Spike shook snowflakes off his nose. “Before we head to Dean and Jacqueline’s for Sunday dinner?”
She glanced back. “Are you going to want to take a romantic walk in the snow?”
He snuggled closer to her. “I don’t need to. Do you want to watch a movie on the couch?”
Her hands tightened on the arms he had around her. “I could do that.”
If she wasn’t fussing with something in the kitchen—because you really could never take the chef out of the kitchen—she actually enjoyed sitting down for a movie.
Usually, it took her about ten minutes to completely relax.
Action flicks were her favorite. They’d discovered a shared love for Denzel Washington’s movies.
Kyle suspected she liked them because the actor usually played a character pursuing justice.
Good typically won out in the end, even if it was a little bloody. His Mad did love her cleaver.
“How does the next Equalizer movie sound?”
“Perfect.” She laughed when Spike started pawing at the snowflakes on his nose. “How do you feel about popcorn? I have this recipe that involves butter, Tabasco, and cayenne.”
He thought of the BBQ she’d made him the other night. While he knew it had been an apology—unnecessary, to his mind—he’d loved the thoughtfulness of her choice. “You know I love spice.”
“I do now.” She turned in his arms and linked her hands behind his neck, the strain on her face harder to ignore every day as the announcement loomed. “You also love Tex-Mex and everything I can dish out from Miami.”
He wished her golden eyes would crinkle more from smiling. “Well, I’m from Austin, and I love food. All kinds, but yours most of all.”
Her kiss was short and fast, like she was still testing the depth of their affection outside the bedroom, where they usually tore each other’s clothes off.
Madison gave more hugs now—endured them mostly—with him and his roommates, but it was light years ahead of where she’d been when he’d first met her in Paris.
She was still a badass rebel, but he was in her inner circle, along with the rest of their family.
And my how he loved her…
“Days like this feel almost perfect,” he commented, kissing her softly again.
“People really go nuts for snow.” She looked up, giving him the tantalizing line of her cheekbone to rub his lips against. “I mean, I’m from Miami, so I can see why it’s cool.
Then again, if white stuff started falling to the ground in Miami, people would think it was cocaine from some dirigible that had exploded in the sky. ”
He puffed out a laugh. “God, you’re so funny. I might have to pick you up and carry you inside to show you how much I appreciate that.”
She braced as he lifted her, scowling. “Ah… Carrying me is a little weird.”
“Spike!” he called with a laugh. “Inside. Now. I figure you’ll glide through it.”
“What am I, a flamingo?” She punched him lightly in the shoulder as he waited for Spike to cross the threshold before closing the door. “You know he’s going to leave puppy prints throughout the house now.”
“Nope. His training is complete. Spike, clean your paws.”
She blinked in shock as the puppy dragged his feet across the welcome mat. “I’m really glad you turned out to be a dog whisperer. When I had the idea, I was, like, fingers crossed.”
Kyle had gone all the way with dog training, determined that Spike and Pierre would find a way to safely co-exist. Madison loved that little guy—and even though he’d been spending more time with Dean and Jacqueline, he needed to have a home here with them, too.
“I excel at everything, you know,” he playfully told her, throwing her up in the air before catching her again as Spike barked madly.
“Kyle, this isn’t funny anymore. Put me down.”
He only curved her closer to his body. “Let me have my moment. I’m enjoying this too much.”
“First the Romance Shrine and now the Prince Charming act.” She sent him one of her pointed looks, but he could see the amusement layered beneath it. “What’s next? My very own personal stripper? I mean, we do have the disco lights and the smoke machine.”
He walked into the salon and dumped her on the sofa. “Stripper, eh? Maybe you’re wishing I’d suggested Magic Mike.”
When he tugged his Henley up over his abs slowly, she extended her arms across the top of the sofa. “Now we’re talking. You put Spike in his little play area while I grab some bills for the show.”
He certainly gave her a show, which had them laughing at first, until the heat in her eyes was too much for him. Then the show they had was all for them, leaving them spent and breathless like usual.
The snow ceased. They started the movie, sharing the same bowl of popcorn, tangled under the blanket together while Spike snored at their feet.
Sunday dinner was free from the seriousness of last week. But that was down to Dean. He greeted them in a leprechaun outfit, asking for input on his impression as he prepared for their opening on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Dean, your pig Gaelic is good,” Thea told him in all seriousness, “but as someone from a town with a lot of Irish dancers, I’d recommend not doing a jig. It looks more like a leprechaun breakdancing.”
Kyle had busted up along with everyone else, and then Nanine had admitted that she couldn’t understand why anyone would want to dress up in such a way. Her comment had only made them laugh harder.
Later, Thea had pulled him aside. “Any word? I thought I might have received a thank-you note for the breadbasket.”
He shrugged over the tension in his belly. “Nothing on my end. We’re doing what we’re doing.”
“Madison seems happier,” Thea commented, patting him on the back in that sweet way of hers.
“She’s on the Latin musician high from last night.” He caught Madison watching them. From the assessing look in her eyes, she knew they were talking about her. “I’m hoping it will last.”
“Me too.” She heaved out a breath. “The decision is two weeks away. I’m on pins and needles.”
So was he, and from then on, he had trouble being present. Even Dean belting out his version of “Danny Boy” didn’t have him laughing out loud with the others. He found a position by the bookshelf and watched more than participated.
When Nanine sidled up to him, he braced himself for her to share whatever was on her mind.
“You and I have not spoken of this situation. Until now, I did not wish to tell you my feelings. I love that you are fighting the good fight, as they say, but it’s taking a toll.
Madison will do her part. But soon the decision will be here.
If your plan has not changed matters, you must be prepared to give your blessing to her, as I have, and let her go to a restaurant where her brilliance can be recognized, which I fear cannot happen in Paris. ”
Only he knew how much he’d feared this moment and what Nanine would say.