Page 106 of The Paris Roommates: Dean
Madison laughed. “Remember where I’m from. If our next plan doesn’t work, I’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
Several of them groaned at the patentGodfatherreference, but Dean’s smile didn’t dim. If there was one thing he was good at, it was getting what he wanted.
Now all they had to do was wait for the results of the auction, and then he could initiate his iron-clad plan to win Jacqueline back.
Because he had one shot, and he wasn’t going to miss it.
He couldn’t.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Everyone had their phones out on the kitchen island, the rude gesture being allowed tonight and tonight only.
The cave auction had closed an hour ago, and there was no news. Dean and his other roommates sat picking at their hamburgers, all of them perched on the new white leather barstools Brooke had rush delivered, part of her essential item list along with the beds.
“We need a distraction,” Brooke said, tapping the marble countertop. “I think we should go over Dean’s Win Jacqueline Back Operation and see if we can improve it.”
His insides gripped. “We’ve gone over it. I’m going to ask her to meet me to discuss seeing Pierre.”
“Correct,” Pierre said with a whistle.
“I will tell her we’ve won the cave—hopefully.” Everyone tensed and tried to smile over their nerves. “I’ll tell her about my ‘It’ idea and how I see her dream store entwined with mine—or ours.”
“Bring the draft business plan,” Brooke said. “Women like to see the details.”
He nodded. “Good idea. Then I’ll tell her I love her and apologize and do my thing. I might also bring balloons or something since flowers are out.” Would it be enough? He’d berated himself over and over, questioning and second-guessing and catastrophizing.
“I second the distraction.” Sawyer pushed his glasses up. “I’m reciting Voltaire’s 1763Treatise on Tolerationso I don’t focus on the waiting.”
“I hate waiting,” Madison complained, ripping off a piece of her hamburger bun. “I still say you should have let me cook tonight. Keeps my head in the right space.”
“Maybe we should put the phones away,” Thea said, leaning her head on Jean’s Luc’s arm. “We can’t make them ring.”
“You will either win it or you will not,” Jean Luc said in that practical French way. “You have done everything you can.”
That fact was the only thing that was keeping Dean from pacing like a madman. The customers who won in the Wine Share app were going to be notified right away, he’d decided. No sense keeping them on their toes.
“I’m going back to Operation Jacqueline,” Sawyer declared. “I still think you should ask her out for dinner. People tend to listen better in public places. Plus, she can’t stalk out.”
“Sure, she can,” Madison disagreed with a humorless laugh. “But let’s ask Pierre. What is Jacqueline’s favorite cuisine?”
“Moroccan,” Pierre said with one of his mocking laughs, flying over to perch on Madison’s arm. “Tagines. Roasted lamb.”
“I’ll make a reservation somewhere, okay?” He glanced at his phone. “You guys are making me more nervous.”
“We’re helping you,” Brooke told him, rubbing his back.
“Who’s her favorite singer, Pierre?” Sawyer crunched on a cornichon he’d pulled from his hamburger. “Because music says nearly as much as poetry.”
Madison shook Sawyer’s shoulders, and Pierre fluttered his wings and laughed in response. “Doc, you really are a serious romantic.”
“No, I like this line of thinking.” Kyle picked up a French fry and waved it. “Singing to a girl is right up Dean’s—”
“Celine Dion,” Pierre supplied.
Dean gave a mournful groan. Not Celine Dion…
Pierre started to whistle as the others laughed. The tune was one Dean didn’t recognize.
