Page 113 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
His dream girl had compared him to the bubbly beverage, had she not?
Nanine joined the impromptu party celebrating his reconciliation with Jacqueline, and even Jean Luc left a meeting to join them.
Dean kept Jacqueline’s hand firmly in his as his friends chattered and laughed in their new kitchen, much of their humor derived from the social media posts popping up about Pierre whistling to Celine Dion along the Seine as Dean raised Sawyer’s small speaker over his head. His SOULMATE T-shirt had elicited a huge romantic buzz, making him consider selling it at their new store. When he glanced at one video Brooke held up, her grin downright smug if you asked him, he had to wince.
“I totally looked like an idiot, didn’t I?” he muttered.
Jean Luc patted him on the back. “Yes, but you won back your girl, so what does a few moments of looking like a buffoon matter,bro?”
Terrific. Mr. Pinstripes could never look like a buffoon, but he was right. Dean could sacrifice a little of his usual swagger for love. He did so love making Jacqueline laugh.
Madison put down a tray of meats and cheeses on the island and pushed it their way. “I personally love that you did the John Cusack thing with the speaker. It’s a classic for a reason.”
“I agree!” Thea clapped her hands. “I’m going to watch that video over and over again.”
“So this thing with the speaker is American?” Jacqueline asked as she picked up a slice of cheese.
American? Dean shook his head. “Not exactly.”
“You’ve never seenSay Anything?” Thea practically gasped. “We’re going to have to have a movie night immediately. It’s an American classic.”
“Alas,chérie,I have never heard of it either,” Jean Luc admitted.
Thea’s lip came out. “But that’s so sad!”
“Philistines,” Sawyer added with a chuckle before Dean shot him a look.
Jean Luc jostled her. “Do not worry, Thea. We will have a movie night and remedy it. Nanine, you don’t know this movie, correct?”
The older woman shook her head as she walked toward them. Kissing Dean on the cheek, she cupped his face, a small smile touching her mouth. A new radiance had entered her eyes upon learning they had won the cave—and how they had done so. Dean thought it had erased some of her regret over losing the original cave. He was happy if it had removed a burden from her, and he half hugged her before she stepped back.
“No,” she answered, “but I can see why it would appeal in such a moment. Itisquite a declaration of love—as is your shirt.”
“And now we can play Dean’s version over and over again like an old movie,” Kyle added, grabbing a slice of carpaccio with a shit-eating grin. “Way to go, man.”
“Pierre stole the show,” Dean responded, grabbing him an almond from the bowl Madison kept full for him.
“Happy to help,” Pierre said with a whistle. “Friends are wonderful. Right, Jacqueline?”
She met Dean’s eyes, and their fingers tightened. “And soulmates.”
His breath caught in his chest. Yes, soulmates, he thought, before Sawyer held up a handkerchief with a grin.
“Love most of all, I think,” Nanine said, “and family. Brooke, please tell your father he will eat at Nanine’s for free for the rest of his life after what he did.”
Thea raised her hand. “At my bakery too. When is Mr. Adams coming to Paris?”
Brooke leaned against the counter, smiling. “Dad’s coming in a few weeks. He’s put in a bid on an apartment four blocks away. All he can talk about is momentum. I’m hoping his good luck continues.”
“That’s wonderful!” Dean gave her a high five. “Everyone will be close by. Now, Jacqueline and I only have to find our storefront.”
Brooke pulled out her phone and held it up. “I’ll send you my top choices by email now that it’s settled.”
“I have a few picked too.” He drew Jacqueline with him as he crossed to kiss Brooke on the cheek. “But your special help is appreciated.” He pointed to his shirt for extra emphasis.
“Yes, thank you,” Jacqueline said, kissing her warmly Parisian style.
They both shared a smile before Brooke reached for her champagne. “I have a rep to uphold. Now, a toast. To the burgeoning empire of PRG.”
