Page 62 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
Nanine wanted to shake her head. Some truths, once uttered, would wound a person forever. Thankfully, Thea hadn’t discovered that tragic aspect of life, and she hoped she never would.
“Oh, Thea,” Madison said, reaching out to pat her hand. “This is why you gave that man by Saint-Sulpice Chapelle ten euros when he said he was deaf and needed help. I think of you every time I see him walking down the street with his new Beats headphones on, listening to music.”
“I still say he might be trying to hear the vibration,” she protested, only to have Jean Luc kiss her cheek warmly.
Nanine knew about the local con artist they were referring to. They existed, and hiding one’s head in the sand was folly.
“That’s why we love you, Thea,” Sawyer said. “That being said, I’m voting for honesty too. If Jacqueline can’t handle the truth, you’re better off without her, Dean.”
“Hey!” Dean cautioned.
“Wow!” Madison grabbed Sawyer’s arm and smiled. “I’ll remind you of that when you get all gooey and fall in love.”
“Nothing good can come from deception,” he insisted, adjusting his spectacles. “Nothing.”
“I say we vote,” Kyle said with steel in his voice. “This is the first big decision for The Paris Roommates Group. Majority takes it.”
Dean nodded crisply. “Okay, I’m good with that. If it’s a yes to tell her, I can blame you guys for the fallout.”
Madison gave a hoarse laugh. “There’s a perspective. I say we keep quiet and go for the cave.”
“I agree,” Kyle added.
Dean raised his hand. “I’m all for being the hero first and then sharing the news. And I appreciate you being open to discussing giving her half should we win. Because hey, I want to wear a T-shirt withHEROon the front.”
“Sometimes you are such a guy, Dean.” Brooke sported a frown. “To protect you and this restaurant, I say we either tell Jacqueline now or forget about the cave altogether. Am I the only one who remembers you guys talking about how small the restaurant industry truly is? Word is going to get out, and I don’t like the thought of other people gossiping about this, especially if they get things wrong.”
“We can control the narrative,” Kyle said, tapping the table. “You don’t need to worry about us handling that.”
Nanine believed him, and she felt some relief in her chest. He would protect her and the restaurant—at all costs.
“I still agree with Brooke,” Thea said quickly, “even if that makes me a pushover.”
“If it does, I’m a pushover too, then,” Sawyer threw in. “A true philosopher stands with the truth at all costs.”
“We have a tie among the roommates,” Kyle said, blowing out a rough breath. “Nanine, you have a vote as the founder of Nanine’s and our business partner. What say you?”
She thought of the family disgrace she wanted to keep secret at all costs, her own but also that of the daughter she still loved despite everything…and also her granddaughter, who would surely pay a price at some point should the news ever become known.
Dean would find a way to win Jacqueline over if she took the truth badly once it came to light. Nanine believed that. No one had a better way with words or a bigger heart than Second Course.
“I vote to hold the truth and go for the cave, with the proviso that we sell Jacqueline half if we win,” Nanine said after summoning her voice. “If that’s still on the table, of course.”
She meant that they were still together, and Dean blinked for a moment before hugging her. “Really? Thanks, Nanine. I didn’t expect that.”
“Neither did I,” she heard Brooke say as she stiffly stood and left the table.
The feeling of accusation hovered in the air as Sawyer and Thea stared at her with wide eyes. They had expected her to side with the truth and the honest way. Hadn’t she always spoken of living a life of good character? But life wascompliquésometimes, and concessions must be made. This decision did not change the core of her. She hoped the others would soon see that.
She rose from the table as Kyle’s hand touched her back in support. Yes, he knew what they were all thinking. She wished life was as simple as being honest and upfront and expecting everything to turn out swimmingly, but nothing was so black and white, and the truth was only a house of cards in a world gone mad.
She had apparently joined it tonight.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Brooke couldn’t believe it.
She pulled out one of her rare stress Gitanes and opened a window to smoke. Nanine didn’t approve of smoking in the house, but a rebellious part of Brooke refused to go into the dark street at this hour so she could indulge in her naughty habit.
