Page 102 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
“Not directly,” he muttered, making a few of the tourists scowl at him.
He took the hint and wandered off, letting the idea form in his head. He and his roommates had lost the direct path to winning the cave. What would a side maneuver—this flanking thing—look like?
Then he had it!
He started jogging back to the exit so he could take an Uber home, wanting to share his idea with his roommates. Because they might have their issues, but they were still his family and his business partners. Once they got on the bandwagon, he’d start thinking about a way to win Jacqueline back.
But winning her family’s cave and giving her half of it would be one hell of an apology, along with his heartfelt contrition for keeping things from her and the promise that he would never do so again.
When he arrived at the house, he gave a shout, “Hey! Family meeting in the kitchen in five.”
Because that place had always been the heart of Nanine’s, and it was time to christen their new kitchen with the same energy.
Brooke and Kyle appeared at the top of the stairs on the floor above him. “Dean! You’re back! We were so worried.”
“Is Doc in his atelier?” he called. “Tell him to come down. Where are Thea and Madison?”
Kyle started down the stairs as Brooke disappeared to grab Sawyer. “Already in your meeting spot. Are you okay? This morning was pretty rough. We need to talk about the plan we’ve been kicking around to help you and Jacqueline get back together.”
His chest tightened, hearing that. Of course they’d been talking about helping him. That’s what family did. “Great! I’ll need all the help I can get. I’ve got an idea about the cave that’s going to knock your socks off, but it’s rather unconventional. Hey, Doc! You’re going to high-five me when you hear who inspired me today.”
“I can’t wait.” Sawyer jogged down the stairs with Brooke following in heels. “We’re glad you’re back. You weren’t answering your phone.”
“You don’t look like you have with other breakups, Dean,” Brooke began when she reached the bottom with everyone else. “You actually seem upbeat.”
“I have to be or I’ll go crazy,” he told her.
She nodded. “I get that. I was hoping you weren’t going to beat yourself up any more than necessary because we’re going to find a way to fix this. We’ve been talking—”
“So I heard,” he said as Brooke put her hand on his arm. “I’m grateful, but first let me tell you my wickedly crazy idea.”
“Dean!”
He turned at Thea’s cry only moments before she threw her arms around him. “We were crazy worried!”
He was touched to see her wearing the new chef’s uniform he’d given her for her birthday.
Madison appeared behind her. “A manhunt was discussed. Glad you’re back.”
His normally easygoing demeanor was gone as he faced his friends. All the concern, love, and worry was written on their faces. His heart trembled a little. “Man, I love you guys, and I’m sorry all this happened. But like Brooke said, we’re going to turn this Negative Train around. Where’s Pierre?”
“Taking his nap upstairs since the party kept him up really late,” Madison offered, sounding way too much like a mommy. “Why?”
Everything had started with the little guy, but Dean didn’t want to interrupt his rest. “He’s kinda become one of us, but I’ll talk to him later. Who’s making coffee?”
They always had coffee, and the usual suspects ran off to start it as they ventured into the kitchen. Moments later, they all gathered around the kitchen island with fresh cups.
“I want to say something first.” He took a fortifying drink of his coffee. “When we returned to Paris, we agreed to help each other. Like we did with Nanine and the restaurant and when Thea ran into her dilemma with the bakery.”
“Because that’s what family does,” Thea interjected brightly.
“You’re damn right.” He tapped the counter for emphasis. “I’m also here to tell you that we’re still going after the cave.”
Puzzled looks met his declaration.
“And Doc, because you’re our history buff, I’d like you to tell the others what flanking is.”
Sawyer’s brow knit. “The military tactic?”
